101 Postcard Ideas...#2: Custom Note Cards

What's the difference between printing a large postcard and folding it yourself, and buying pre-folded cards? For starters, you'll pay roughly 40% more for pre-folded cards, though you get the envelopes for "free". Those envelopes, people, are cheap; you can get note card sized envelopes at Office Depot, 100 for about $10.00.

Another difference is that with a large postcard you can print in full color front and back of the card (that is, the folded front and back), and you can stick your logo or some other fun message on the "back" as well so you don't have to mess around sticking your business card inside.

For some people, having them pre-folded is totally worth the price. If you need time more than money, great - go for it. But if you're on a budget, this postcard can give you a bit of relief.

Onto the savings! If you want thank you notes, special promotion cards, or even gift cards that look slick and professional, start with a good design, print them on large postcards, and fold them yourself.

In the poorly worded but truthful example at left, this is how I typically submit a file via Vistaprint.com, but the same principle applies at many printers. You make a vertical image for the colored/outside, and the inside is flipped so your note text will print on the backside of where the logo is shown on the outside.

When you get your cards, it's pretty easy to fold them yourself after you get used to the process; I suggest "scoring" the fold first with a tool or object laying around the house because your fold on the outside will be much crisper and your paper won't "break" when it's stretched for the fold. Instructs at left!