DIY Postcards

It’s easy to make and decorate your own postcards with materials you already have around the house. Sending a postcard is a quick and easy way to show your friends you care—and a postcard stamp only costs 35¢!

Instructions

• Choose a size from the Size Guide on page 2.

• Carefully measure and cut your postcard from a sheet of thick paper. Front Side

• If your thick paper has a design, cover it up by gluing A collaged postcard by Amanda. a layer of blank paper on top—or just use it as part of your artwork! Materials and Supplies • Decorate one side of your postcard however you Making the postcard like. Try one of these methods:

• Ruler • Make a drawing or painting with pencils, crayons, makers, or paint • Scissors or X-acto knife • Stamp with rubber stamps and ink. • Thick paper (index cards, card- • Make a collage from magazine stock, poster board, watercolor clippings (remember to keep it flat). paper, cereal boxes) • Use a newspaper article and markers to make Decorating the postcard blackout poetry. • Add designs or finishing touches with washi • Glue Sticks, White Glue or Mod- tape. Podge Back Side • Markers, crayons, pencils, pens Look at the Clearance Guide on page 2. • Paint (acrylic or watercolor)

• Rubber stamps and ink • Write your recipient’s address in Box A.

• Discarded magazines, catalogs, • Write a message (try not to write in Box A, B, and C). or newspapers • Place a stamp in Box B. • Washi Tape • Drop your postcard in the mailbox!

Page 1

Size Guide

Maximum width: 6 inches

Minimum width: 5 inches

To qualify for a 35¢ postcard stamp, a postcard must be as big as the blue box, but no bigger than the purple box. Example sizes: 3 ½ x 5 4 x 5 ¼ 4 Maximumheight: inches ¼ 4 x 6 4 ¼ x 5 4 ¼ x 6 3 Minimumheight: inches ½ A postcard must be a rectangle, and not a square. The post

office recommends an aspect ratio of at least 1:1.3.

Postcards that are larger than the purple box need a regular, 6

Clearances55¢ stamp.

5 Clearance Guide

Don’t write, draw, or color in box 1, 2, or 3.

B 4 Box A is for the recipient’s address. Box B is for the stamp.

Box C is where the post office stamps the barcode.

3

A 2

C

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