Or is it by weight?
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" But to qualify for mailing at the First-Class Mail postcard price, it must be:
- Rectangular
- At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick
- No more than 4-1/4 inches high x 6 inches long x 0.016 inches thick"
If it’s square or bigger than those requirements, it’s a letter and takes that rate. But it only matters within the US since international is the same for postcards or letters. (Square international cards will require a non-machinable surcharge, which is equal to the extra ounce stamp.)
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Edit: this is USA info, since the OP is located in USA
Size matters first:
To qualify as a postcard (and be mailed with a domestic postcard-rate stamp) a mail piece must be rectangular and meet these dimensions:
- At least 3-1/2” high X 5” long X 0.007” thick
- No more than 4-1/4” high X 6” long X 0.016” thick
- Have finished corners that do not exceed a radius of 0.125
Larger single-sheet mailings are not considered a postcard by the USPS and must be mailed at letter rates (Forever stamp).
Postcards made of unusual material, such as wood or metal, require a letter rate (Forever stamp) AND a non-machinable surcharge (Butterfly stamp) It’s probably best to consult a postal clerk about those.
Additionally: Weight matters after the first ounce. International destination also matters.
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I didn’t know you could mail wooden or metal postcards without packing. I assumed they were decor.
@PleiadianDragon Not just decor! 
There are wooden ones, copper and other metals, heavy cardboard, and even cork postcards (from Portugal). Also 3-D viewer postcards (must be sent in envelope), and rotating postcards. I’ll edit this post to include some pix of unusual postcards later. Right now it’s way past bedtime. Maybe there’s a thread just for unusual postcards, since it’s a little off-topic here…
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I would enjoy seeing them if you get a chance.
Depends entirely on the country. Each country has its own rules about size, shape, and weight, and what “counts” as a postcard or not.
Unfortunately, Germans seem to be rather rectangular by nature… although we can receive postcards of any size or shape, to send for the postcard rate we have to stay within the prescribed size, shape and weight boundary or send the card in a (rectangular, not square) envelope. Other countries have different rules.
If they fit the size/shape/weight guidelines the material doesn’t matter so much. I wouldn’t send a square of silk, but cork / wood / metal / 3D-Lenticular all go through fine. The problem with these postcards is that they cost a fortune and the 3D ones especially are often badly damaged by the postal machinery when sent “naked”
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Huh, in my country it goes by weight. I have some larger, fairly thick postcards, but since they still weigh under 20 grams I pay the usual prize. However, I can’t really decorate them other than with doodles and such, otherwise they would become too heavy. (If I used papers and stickers and such.)
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Thanks for sharing! That was nice of them!
It costed me $15 USD to send this wooden postcard to Ukraine! I had to send it as a package🤷🏻‍♀️ It’s been over 30 days and still hasn’t arrived🤦🏻‍♀️
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Oh, no! I think the postal clerk didn’t know it was considered a letter, and charged you for a package. That’s terrible! But travel times to Ukraine are always very long (for me), so there is still good hope that it will arrive and be registered.
This thread gives more info on mailing wooden postcards:
That was very kind of you though!
Usually when sent as an overseas package you get the tracking customs number on the receipt
I use both 35 cents for domestic 4x6 and 5x7 cards
And $1.20 for international 4x6 and 5x7 cards and my cards arrive normally
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You need 55 cents (letter rate) for 5x7 postcards as they are considered oversized. @princeofasturias
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In the US you can mail all kinds of things without packaging. My sister once sent me a flip flop with stamps on it. And I’ve seen a number of people put stamps on a potato and mail them.
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This thread has some good info that confirmed what I have read elsewhere. However today I tried mailing my first metal (copper) postcard and the postal workers absolutely refused to accept it, insisting the only way to send it was to place inside an envelope and complete a customs declaration form.
It is not even very rigid and is a “novelty” postcard purchased at a gift store, clearly designed/marked to be sent as a postcard. Inquiring about that, the postal workers then seemed to say that it was because it is being sent internationally (to Russia) and that is why it can’t be sent. I had more than enough (or so I thought postage) with a dollar stamp and butterfly (so $1.88 total at today’s price).
I’m not sure if I should go back at a different time to see if someone else will help me, or that I really can’t send one without using an envelope, which just seems weird to me.
I don’t know if anyone else has experience sending a postcard like this from US, internationally or not. This was the closest thread I could find relating to the topic.
This is the postcard I’m trying to send:
https://community.postcrossing.com/t/especially-special-card-offer-tag/111155/187?u=bendoodle
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I’d try a different postal worker, or a different post office. I’ve had a wide range of responses from various post offices about mailing things internationally, even when I’ve checked online first.
One thing that worked for me (with a wooden card) was to stamp it with more than enough postage, make sure my return address was on it, and chuck it into the blue USPS collection box. I believe they have an obligation to deliver it.
If the card is particularly rare, and losing it would be a misfortune, I’d try one more more time at the postal counter and then send it in a sturdy envelope. Good luck!
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Excellent idea
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