Postcard FAQs

Getting Started - Postcard Creation

• What is "VerticalResponse Postcard"?
• Why should I use VerticalResponse Postcard?
• Can I access VerticalResponse Postcard from my regular VerticalResponse account?
• Can I add my own image? What are the specifications?
• Can I send a postcard without an image on the front?
• Does VerticalResponse Postcard supply any images?
• Can I add images to the front and back of my postcard?
• Can I customize the layout of my image?
• Can I add text copy my postcard?
• Why is there a watermark on my graphic? Will it appear on the postcards that are sent to my recipients?
• What are "proofs" and why are they important?

Mailing Lists

• How do I upload my mailing lists?
• Can I use VerticalResponse email lists with VerticalResponse Postcard?

Launching a Postcard Campaign

• Can I send a "test" postcard?
• How do I set up a return address for my postcards?
• Do I need to pay separately for postage?
• How much does it cost to send a postcard campaign?
• How do I pay? What payment options do you accept?
• How do I launch my Postcard campaign?
• When are the postcards mailed?
• What geographic regions can I mail to?

After the Launch

• How long will it take for my postcards to reach my recipients?
• Where do the non-deliverable postcards go?
• How do I track my postcard campaign?

Postcard Specifications

• What are the dimensions of the postcard?
• What type of paper are the postcards printed on?
• What is the color quality?
• What printing process do you use?

Getting Started - Postcard Creation

What is "VerticalResponse Postcard"?
VerticalResponse Postcard is a powerful new marketing tool which enables you to create and send customized postcards to your clients and prospects. These postcards are then mailed First Class through the US Postal Service (USPS) so the entire process is simple and hassle-free!

Why should I use VerticalResponse Postcard?
It's crucial for businesses of all sizes to communicate effectively with their customer base. Direct mail is an integral part of your marketing efforts and VerticalResponse Postcard offers necessary tools for creating professional postcards - without any technical experience.

Can I access VerticalResponse Postcard from my regular VerticalResponse account?
Yes, VerticalResponse Postcard can be found within the normal web interface (Control Center) of the existing VerticalResponse system. Just log into your account and you'll see a tab for Postcard Management. Click on "Create New Postcard" and you'll be on your way.

Can I add my own image? What are the specifications?
VerticalResponse Postcard allows you upload your own high-resolution image into your account for postcard creation. Just save the file on your computer and follow the "Browse" instructions to load it into your campaign. NOTE: All images must be at least 150 dpi and only .jpg image formats can be accepted at this time.

"4x6" Specifications:
Uploaded image should be 4" by 5.75". In pixels, the equivalent would be 400 x 575 or preferably 800 x 1150. Additionally, please do not add any content that you want printed any closer than 3/16" from the edges of the card as we will trim 2/16" from each edge during the cutting process.

"6x9" Specifications:
Uploaded image should be 5.62" by 8.62". In pixels, the equivalent would be 562 x 862 or preferably 1124 x 1724. Additionally, please do not add any content that you want printed any closer than 3/16" from the edges of the card as we will trim 2/16" from each edge during the cutting process.

Most digital cameras will produce .jpg images in a variety of dimensions and they will also work well within VerticalResponse Postcard since their height/width ratio is similar to the two mentioned above: (1600 X 1200), (1024 X 768), (800 X 600), (640 X 480).

Can I send a postcard without an image on the front?
Yes, with VerticalResponse Postcard you can choose the option to make the front of the postcard a solid color instead of using an image. Simply choose a selection from our color palette and you'll be able to add text to the front of your postcard.

Does VerticalResponse Postcard supply any images?
Yes, VerticalResponse Postcard provides an extensive image library with over 600,000 high quality graphics to choose from. We've listed some common categories to help refine your search but you can also type in a keyword to locate a specific theme or style. VerticalResponse Postcard will display the results of your search and allow you to change the number of images displayed per page to make browsing even easier.

Can I add images to the front and back of my postcard?
At this time we allow for images to appear only on the front of the postcard (i.e. not the side with the postage). In the future we hope to add image capabilities to the back of the card as well so we'll announce this functionality when it becomes available.

Can I customize the layout of my image?
The VerticalResponse Postcard interface enables you to change the positioning of your selected image with just a few clicks of the mouse. You can turn the image right, turn it left, invert it or even toggle between portrait mode and landscape mode. NOTE: We recommend choosing a layout for your image before adding any text copy to the front of your postcard since this makes the creation process much smoother.

Can I add text copy my postcard?
Once you have chosen an image for your postcard you will be able to add text to both the front and back of the card. On the front, just click your mouse on any section of the card and you'll be able to type your copy directly onto the image. You can choose from a selection of font styles, sizes and colors as well as editing or deleting text at any time.

On the back, you'll be working within a defined template box which shows the area where copy can be added. You'll be able to write in your message and by clicking "Save Changes" your text is immediately added to the back of the card. You will also have the ability to replace or edit the default return address which gets pulled from the "My Profile" section of your account.

Why is there a watermark on my graphic? Will it appear on the postcards that are sent to my recipients?
The watermark is added to prevent unauthorized use of the images that are loaded into VerticalResponse Postcard and is only displayed during postcard creation and when viewing proofs. This watermark will not appear on any postcards sent during a live launch.

What are "proofs" and why are they important?
After copy has been added to both the front and back of the postcard, users will be required to view and approve their work before the campaign can be mailed. VerticalResponse Postcard provides examples of both the front and back of the postcard in a .pdf file format and these can be viewed using Adobe Reader.

We also recommend that all users print out the proofs to examine the design in hard-copy format. It is important to note that the printing system used by VerticalResponse Postcard greatly exceeds the image quality of the printer that you are likely using.

All VerticalResponse Postcard clients must "sign off" on the proofs for both the front and back of the card. This approval process acknowledges that the user is satisfied with the design of their postcard and is ready to proceed with the launch of their campaign.

Mailing Lists

How do I upload my mailing lists?
Within the Control Center of your account simply scroll to the Mailing List Management section and click "Add a New List". Now you will be asked to specify if you are loading an email list or a postcard list. Select the postcard option and you'll be walked through the steps of uploading the list into your account.

Can I use VerticalResponse email lists with VerticalResponse Postcard?
As long as the email lists in your account contain complete postal information you will be able to send them postcards VerticalResponse Postcard will even run your data through a preliminary check to ensure that zip codes match their correct states. This is done so you are not charged for addresses that are known to be invalid, prior to mailing.

Launching a Postcard Campaign

Can I send a "test" postcard?
Yes. Any client using VerticalResponse Postcard will have the option to send one free "4x6" postcard and this will be delivered to the mailing address that is listed in your VerticalResponse profile. This is a great way to see the final product before launching the campaign to your larger list. NOTE: One free postcard is available only a per account basis, as opposed to per campaign. You'll want to save your free postcard to reference in the future when creating new campaigns.

How do I set up a return address for my postcards?
When you are adding text copy to the back of your postcard you will be able to edit the return address. The default address will be whatever contact information is listed in the "My Profile" section of your VerticalResponse account. Just click in the box that shows the default address and you'll be able to change or edit the return address.

Do I need to pay separately for postage?
No, when placing your order with VerticalResponse Postcard you are covered for the entire mailing process. Postage for all postcards is included in that charge.

How much does it cost to send a postcard campaign?
The only costs associated with VerticalResponse Postcard relate to the number of addresses that you are mailing at a given time. Each postcard credit corresponds to a "mailable" address on your list.

How do I pay? What payment options do you accept?
When you are ready to launch your campaign, VerticalResponse Postcard will automatically direct you to a purchase page to make your payment. The total charge for your campaign will be displayed and this will be based on the number of people on your mailing list(s).

We accept MasterCard, Visa and American Express for payment options.

How do I launch my Postcard campaign?
To launch your campaign you must complete the following steps:
1) Select and Image and add text to the front and back of your postcard
2) View, print out and approve the proofs for the front and back of your postcard
3) Upload and attach your mailing list(s).
4) Schedule your mail date
5) Provide payment to cover the size of the list that you are mailing to.
6) Click "Launch" and your campaign will be processed, printed and mailed as soon as the launch date/time arrives

When are the postcards mailed?
When your launch date/time arrive, your postcard creative and mailing list with be sent to our printing system. It will take approximately 5 business days for the printing and mailing of your postcard campaign.

What geographic regions can I mail to?
At this time, campaigns being sent with VerticalResponse Postcard can only be mailed to addresses within the United States and its territories.

After the Launch

How long will it take for my postcards to reach my recipients?
Once the campaign is launched, printed and sent to the Post Office, the USPS will be responsible for delivering the postcards to your recipients. Depending on the regions you are mailing to this may take between 1 to 5 business days (average delivery time is 3 days).

Where do the non-deliverable postcards go?
Since VerticalResponse Postcard sends your mailing out using First Class mail, any postcards that cannot be delivered will be sent back to the return address listed on the card. The return address will default to the contact information listed within your VerticalResponse profile and this can be changed on a per campaign basis.

How do I track my postcard campaign?
Since there is not a way to monitor postcard statistics in the same manner that email campaigns are tracked, VerticalResponse Postcard will provide verification that your postcards have been mailed and confirm your order. In addition, since all postcards are sent First Class, any non-deliverable cards will be sent back to the return address so you can receive these and update your lists accordingly.

Postcard Specifications

What are the dimensions of the postcard?
VerticalResponse Postcard offers two sizes of printed postcards: "4x6" (actual size mailed is 3.75" x 5.5") and "6x9" (actual size mailed is 5.37" x 8.37").

"4x6" Specifications:
Uploaded image should be 4" by 5.75". In pixels, the equivalent would be 400 x 575 or preferably 800 x 1150. Additionally, please do not add any content that you want printed any closer than 3/16" from the edges of the card as we will trim 2/16" from each edge during the cutting process.

"6x9" Specifications:
Uploaded image should be 5.62" by 8.62". In pixels, the equivalent would be 562 x 862 or preferably 1124 x 1724. Additionally, please do not add any content that you want printed any closer than 3/16" from the edges of the card as we will trim 2/16" from each edge during the cutting process.

What type of paper are the postcards printed on?
All postcards are printed on 12 point C2S (coated two sides) card stock.

What is the color quality?
All printing is done with CMYK process color. High definition imaging and unique liquid HP ElectroInk create rich, vibrant color prints at 812 x 812 dpi resolution and up to 230 lines per inch.

What printing process do you use?
We are 100% digital and print multiple postcards per sheet on a Commercial HP Indigo Press. After printing, the sheets are UV coated to give your card a professional touch. Following the coating process, we cut and ship your cards.