GCC Printing and Graphics

QR codes have become almost expected in marketing. They appear on menus, packaging, signs, and mail. Because they’re so common, many businesses assume they belong on every postcard. That assumption is usually where problems start. A QR code is not automatically helpful. It’s a tool. Like any tool, it only works when it has a clear job to do. Why QR Codes Took Off in the First Place Smartphones made scanning simple. No special apps. No learning curve. During the pandemic, QR codes became an easy bridge between physical spaces and digital information. That convenience stuck. In the right situation, a QR code removes friction. It gives someone quick access to more details without asking them to type, search, or remember a URL. When that’s the role it’s meant to play, it can work very well. When a QR Code Supports a Postcard QR codes tend to be most effective when the postcard itself is doing one clear job, but the next step requires more space. For...

Postcard size is one of those decisions that looks simple until it isn’t. On the surface, it feels like a design choice. In practice, size affects almost everything that follows: postage, printing efficiency, mail handling, layout flexibility, and even how confidently your message is received. It’s also one of the easiest places for costs to creep up quietly if decisions are made out of order. If you’re planning a postcard mailing, this is the context that helps size become a strategic choice rather than a guess. The Postcard Sizes Seen Most Often (and Why) While postcards can technically be produced in many dimensions, a relatively small group of sizes shows up again and again. That’s not an accident. These formats tend to work well with presses, mail systems, and real-world messaging needs. The Classic 4 x 6 Postcard It remains popular because it’s familiar, efficient, and easy to produce. It works best when the message is short and direct...

A business owner came in with a rough draft and an apology. “I know this is a lot,” they said, sliding a page across the counter. “But I don’t know what to cut.” The page was full. Headlines, subheads, paragraphs, bullet points. Every service they offered. Every reason they thought someone might choose them. None of it was wrong. It was just… everything. They wanted to use a small mail piece. Something simple. Something easy to send. But as they looked at the space, the anxiety crept in. What if people don’t understand what we do? What if we leave something important out? It’s a conversation we’ve had many times. The Moment Everything Changes Instead of talking about fonts or layout, we asked one question: “What’s the one thing you want someone to remember after they read this?” There was a pause. Then another. Eventually, they said it. One clear idea. One problem they solved better than anyone...

Most businesses stay in touch only when they have something to promote. A sale. An event. A new service. Those messages have their place. But they are not the only moments that shape how customers feel about your business. Often, the strongest relationships are built in the space between transactions. February is a natural time to think about connection. Not in a big, overdone way, but in a simple, thoughtful one. It’s a reminder that staying top of mind doesn’t always require a pitch. Sometimes, it simply requires showing up. Relationships Grow Through Consistency, Not Constant Selling Customers don’t stop needing reminders that you exist once a sale is over. What they do stop responding to is constant promotion. When every message asks for something, people learn to tune it out. That’s why many businesses identify natural moments to stay in touch that have nothing to do with selling. These quieter touchpoints create familiarity without pressure ...

Marketing tends to slow down when it gets complicated. The more options businesses feel they need to consider, the longer decisions take and the harder it becomes to stay consistent. That’s one reason postcards continue to earn their place in modern marketing. They remove friction, shorten timelines, and make it easier to stay visible without overthinking every move. Postcards aren’t about doing more. They’re about doing what works, faster. Speed Matters More Than Ever One of the biggest advantages of postcards is how quickly they move from idea to mailbox. There’s no envelope to design, no multi-page layout to review, and no long approval cycle. That speed matters when timing is important, whether you’re promoting a seasonal offer, reminding customers you’re still there, or responding to a change in the market. For example, a local restaurant announcing updated hours or a limited-time menu doesn’t need a long-form piece. A simple, w...

One thing we’ve learned after producing thousands of mail pieces is this: Mail still works, and it works especially well when it’s planned with intention. Some pieces get picked up immediately. Others barely get a glance. The difference usually isn’t the budget. It’s not luck either. It’s a series of smart decisions made before the piece ever goes to print. If you want your next mail piece to earn attention in a busy mailbox, these five principles make the biggest difference. 1. Decide What the Piece Is Doing Before You Design It Strong mail always has a job. Is this piece meant to: Drive a call Bring people into a store Reintroduce your business Remind past customers you’re still there Problems start when one piece tries to do all of that at once. When the goal is unclear, the message gets cluttered, and the reader doesn’t know where to focus. The most effective mail pieces are built around one outcome. Once that’s...