To time custom postcards well, start from the in-home date and work backward: mail entry, about 2 weeks of production after approval, the free 24-hour mockup and a content lock before that. Get Custom Postcards builds the design for you, but the schedule only holds when every stage before production is planned. This guide shows each stage in order.
- Plan from the in-home date, not the print date
- Free mockup within 24 hours of a complete request
- Standard turnaround is about 2 weeks after proof approval
- Faster turnaround is available with express shipping
- Minimum order is 12 postcards
How far ahead should I order custom postcards for a mailing?
Start planning custom postcards from the date you want them in mailboxes, not the date you want to place the order. Get Custom Postcards needs time for the free mockup, your review, any revisions and about 2 weeks of standard production and shipping, and the mail itself still needs time to move once the postcards are handed off. Planning backward from the in-home date is the simplest way to avoid a rushed launch.
The in-home date is the day a household actually holds your postcard. For a sale, an open house, a grand opening or a donation deadline, that date matters far more than the print date. A postcard that lands the morning after the event is wasted paper, while one that arrives a few days early gives people time to plan around it.
Write the in-home date at the top of your plan, then work back through each stage below. If any stage depends on another person, such as a manager approving copy or a partner sending a logo, add a buffer for that handoff too.
What are the stages of a postcard timeline, working backward?
A postcard timeline has five stages, and each one has to finish before the next can start. Listing them in reverse order, from the in-home date back to today, shows you the real deadline for the first decision you need to make.
- In-home window: the days you want households to receive the postcards, set by your event or offer.
- Mail entry: the day the postcards enter the mail stream, whether you drop them at the post office, hand them to a mail house or use an EDDM route drop.
- Production and shipping: about 2 weeks of standard turnaround after you approve the proof, with faster turnaround available through express shipping.
- Proof approval: the free mockup arrives within 24 hours of a complete request, followed by unlimited free revisions until you approve.
- Content lock: the date your offer, dates, address, QR code destination and photos are final.
Most delays happen at the last stage on this list, which is the first one you actually do. Teams often wait on a final offer or an approved photo, then lose the cushion they planned for production. Locking content early protects every later stage.
How does mail delivery time change the plan for postcards?
Mail delivery time is the stage you control least, so give it the widest cushion in your postcard plan. Once the postcards leave your hands, delivery speed depends on the mail class, the size of the mailing, how the cards are prepared and where they are going. Marketing mail generally moves more slowly than First-Class mail, and that difference should shape your mail entry date.
For local saturation campaigns through Every Door Direct Mail, you drop bundled postcards at the post office that serves the chosen routes, which keeps the path short. Mailings to a purchased or customer list may travel through several facilities before delivery. Neither path offers a guaranteed in-home date, so build in room on both sides of your target.
If the date is firm, such as an event with tickets, aim for the early edge of your in-home window rather than the middle. A postcard that arrives a little early still works. A postcard that arrives late cannot be fixed. You can read more about route mailings on the EDDM postcards page and about mailing rules in the postcard blog.
What should be ready before I request a postcard mockup?
Have your content, logo and mailing approach decided before you request a mockup, because the 24-hour mockup clock only helps if the request is complete. Get Custom Postcards can start designing as soon as it knows the size, the finish, the message and how the postcards will be mailed, and every missing piece adds another round of back and forth.
- Size: standard or jumbo, which also affects how the address side is laid out.
- Finish and extras: glossy or matte, and whether any foil accents are planned.
- Front message: headline, offer and the one action you want people to take.
- Back details: address, hours, phone, website, QR code destination and any offer terms.
- Mailing method: EDDM, a mailing list, a mail house or hand distribution.
- Logo and photos: the best version you have, even if it needs cleanup.
You do not need finished artwork. The design team builds the layout for you, and unlimited free revisions mean the first mockup is a starting point. What slows a project is not imperfect files but undecided content, such as an offer that changes after the proof is approved.
Can I get postcards faster if my mailing date is close?
Yes, postcards can arrive faster than the standard schedule when express shipping is added, so a close mailing date does not always mean starting over. Production and shipping usually take about 2 weeks after proof approval, and faster turnaround is available with express shipping. The free mockup still arrives within 24 hours, which keeps the design stage short even on a tight schedule.
A rush timeline works best when the remaining stages are also compressed. That means approving the proof quickly, keeping revisions focused, and having the mailing method sorted before the postcards arrive. If the postcards are going to a mail house or need EDDM bundling, confirm that partner can process them on the day you expect delivery.
Tell Get Custom Postcards your in-home date when you request a quote. The team can then tell you whether standard turnaround fits or whether express shipping is the safer choice, and you can decide before anything prints. You pay nothing until you approve the design.
How do I plan a postcard series instead of a single drop?
A postcard series needs one master calendar with every drop listed, so each round of postcards is designed and printed well before its mail date. Repeated drops to the same households, such as a seasonal service reminder or a multi-touch real estate farm, usually perform better when they arrive on a steady rhythm rather than in a rush.
The easiest way to keep a series on schedule is to design every card in the series at once, then print them on a staggered schedule or in a single order. Shared layout elements, such as the logo placement, color palette and address panel, stay consistent, while the front headline and offer change from drop to drop.
| Approach | Best when | Timeline benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Design all, print all at once | Offers and dates are known in advance | One proof cycle and one production run |
| Design all, print each drop separately | Offers may change between drops | Artwork is ready, only production repeats |
| Design and print each drop as needed | Each card reacts to results from the last | Most flexible, but needs the longest lead time per drop |
Whichever approach you choose, set the content lock date for each drop on the calendar, not just the mail date. The minimum order of 12 means even small test drops can follow the same plan.
Which postcard types need extra lead time?
Postcards with special finishes, reply panels or several versions need a little more planning time than a single full-color card, mostly at the proof stage. The production schedule is still about 2 weeks, but each extra element adds decisions you should make before the mockup request.
- Foil postcards need the foil areas marked clearly so the proof shows exactly what will shine.
- Business reply postcards need the reply panel details settled before the layout is final.
- Jumbo postcards carry more copy and photos, which can mean more review rounds.
- Multi-version orders, such as one design per neighborhood or location, need each version proofed and approved.
- Appointment reminder cards often need write-in lines that work with pens, so finish choice matters early.
If your mailing uses one of these, move your content lock date earlier rather than squeezing production. A clear brief on day one keeps a detailed postcard on the same schedule as a simple one.
What does a sample backward timeline look like for postcards?
A sample backward plan for custom postcards lists each milestone with the person responsible, starting from the in-home window and ending with today. Use it as a template and fill in your own dates once you know your mailing method and whether you need express shipping.
| Milestone | Who owns it | What has to be true |
|---|---|---|
| In-home window | You | Event or offer date confirmed |
| Mail entry | You or your mail house | Postcards delivered, bundled and ready |
| Postcards arrive | Get Custom Postcards | About 2 weeks after proof approval, faster with express shipping |
| Proof approved | You | Every detail checked on the final mockup |
| Mockup received | Get Custom Postcards | Within 24 hours of a complete request |
| Content locked | You and any approvers | Offer, dates, address and QR destination final |
Once the table is filled in, share it with anyone who has to sign off. When everyone can see that a late approval moves the in-home date, approvals tend to arrive on time. To start your own plan, send your in-home date through the quote form or review the steps on how it works.
Frequently asked questions
When should I lock the offer on a postcard mailing?
Lock the offer on custom postcards before you request the mockup, because a changed offer after approval restarts the proof stage. Get Custom Postcards returns a free mockup within 24 hours of a complete request, so decide the discount, expiration date and terms first. A locked offer lets production begin as soon as you approve, keeping the about 2 weeks of turnaround intact.
What is an in-home date for postcards?
An in-home date for postcards is the day or range of days you want recipients to have the card in hand. Planning from the in-home date, rather than the print date, keeps your mailing tied to the event or offer it supports. Get Custom Postcards can plan production around that date when you share it in your quote request.
Can I order postcards before my event details are final?
Postcards can be designed before every event detail is final, but they should not be approved until dates, times and addresses are confirmed. Get Custom Postcards offers unlimited free revisions, so you can start with placeholder text and refine it. Only approve the proof once every detail is correct, since production begins right after approval.
How long does a postcard proof review usually take on my side?
Proof review time for postcards depends on how many people must approve the design. A single owner can often approve on the same day the mockup arrives, while a committee or franchise may need several days. Build that review time into your plan, and name one final approver so Get Custom Postcards hears one clear decision.
Should postcards arrive before or after a holiday weekend?
Postcards tied to a holiday promotion should usually arrive before the holiday weekend, since people plan purchases and visits ahead of time. Mail moving through a long weekend can also slow down. Aim the in-home window for the days leading up to the holiday, and order early enough that standard turnaround of about 2 weeks fits comfortably.
Can postcards ship directly to my mail house?
Postcards can usually be shipped to a mail house instead of your own address, which removes a handoff from the timeline. Share the mail house address and any receiving requirements when you request a quote from Get Custom Postcards. Confirm with the mail house that it expects the delivery and can process the postcards promptly after they arrive.
What happens to my postcard timeline if I add a second design?
Adding a second design to a postcard order mainly affects the proof stage, because each version needs its own mockup and approval. Production for all versions still runs on the standard schedule of about 2 weeks after final approval. Request every version at once so the mockups arrive together, and approve them as a set to avoid staggered production.
Is express shipping worth it for a postcard mailing?
Express shipping for postcards is worth it when the in-home date cannot move and the standard schedule leaves no cushion. Events with tickets, store openings and deadline-driven offers usually justify faster delivery. For flexible campaigns, standard turnaround of about 2 weeks is enough. Get Custom Postcards can tell you which option fits once it knows your target date.
How can I keep postcard approvals from delaying my mailing?
Postcard approvals stay on schedule when one person is named as the final approver and every reviewer sees the mockup at the same time. Share the backward timeline so reviewers know their deadline. Get Custom Postcards sends the free mockup within 24 hours, and quick, consolidated feedback keeps revisions to a minimum and production on track.
Can I reorder the same postcards quickly for a second mailing?
Reordering the same postcards is faster than a new order because the artwork is already approved. Get Custom Postcards can reuse the final design, and you only need to confirm quantity and any updated details, such as a new date or offer. Production still takes about 2 weeks, so place the reorder well before the second mail date.
What mailing details should I share when I request postcards?
Share the mailing method, the in-home date and any mail house or EDDM plans when requesting postcards. Those details affect how the address side is set up and whether express shipping makes sense. Get Custom Postcards uses them to prepare an accurate mockup and timeline, so your quote reflects the real schedule rather than a guess.
Do hand-delivered postcards need a different timeline than mailed ones?
Hand-delivered postcards need a shorter timeline because there is no mail stage after the cards arrive. Plan production of about 2 weeks plus time to organize volunteers or staff for the drop. Postcards handed out at counters, events or door to door can be ordered closer to the date, but locking content early still prevents last-minute delays.
Get a free mockup for your postcards
Send your logo or idea and the quantity you have in mind. Get Custom Postcards returns a free mockup within 24 hours, you approve the design before anything is produced, and standard turnaround is about two weeks with faster options available. Get a custom quote.