Correspondence & Exchange

Postcards were design for cheap, fast, and abbreviated communication. After more than a hundred years of use, they still serve that purpose around the world for both individuals and businesses.

To take advantage of the U.S. Postal Services rate for postcards, a postcard must be:

rectangular,
at least 3 1/2 inches high by 5 inches long by 0.007 inches thick, and
no more than 4 1/4 inches high by 6 inches long by 0.016 inches thick.

As of May 31, 2015, the rate for domestic postcards (within the United States) is $.35. International postcards (via air mail) cost $1.20.

The messages postcards carry are typically visible to postal carriers and those who handle the cards, but this visibility can be offset by using unfamiliar languages, private codes, and other concealment methods.

Special groups encourage and support the exchange of postcards between individuals to promote collecting and cultural exchange. They include:

Postcrossing (www.postcrossing.com)
50 States Postcard Exchange (www.facebook.com/50States PostcardExchange)
Several Yahoo Groups (search on "Postcard Exchange")