What's your postcard-writing "ritual"?

[thudthwacker]

It’s funny that so many of us have a ritual; I didn’t think I did until I started reading this thread and realized that, yeah, I really do things in mostly the same order every time.

1. Request address; I tend to only request one at a time, but that’s mainly because I have a fairly young account, and my queue tends not to have more than one or two open slots at any given time.
2. Read the profile and take a mental inventory of my postcards and stamps to see if I can think of anything offhand that matches up with what the recipient has requested. Failing that, I review other parts of the profile and consider other mentioned hobbies, professions, and similar.
3. Set myself up at a little snack table in the living room; I generally write cards at night, while the family and I are watching TV or a movie.
4. Rifle through postcard boxes and find something that I think would be pleasing.
5. Write the date (using day/month/year if non-US, month/day/year if US ).
6. Write the message; I try to relate to shared interests, experiences, and such.
7. Write ID number at least once.
8. Select stamp or stamps, depending on requests and whether or not I have stamps that relate to something in the profile.
9. Print address; I have 1.5" square labels, and sometimes have to do some by-hand layout, depending on the size of the address. As my handwriting isn’t the best and isn’t small, I prefer printing the addresses to (1) make sure it’s clear to the postal people, and (2) give me more room for stamps and possible embellishments.
10. If there’s space and I’m inspired, find a sticker or rubber stamp image that I think would appeal or amuse.
11. Take a picture of both sides of the card – one for uploading, one for personal records.
12. Upload picture.
13. Put the card in our outbox, to hopefully make its way to a mailbox or post office the following day.

[Destination_Anywhere]

Hi there!

I don’t have a particular ritual when it comes to official Postcrossing postcards. I usually draw the address(es) on the day off/at the weekend or in the evening after work. Of course, it also depends on whether there are free slots

If I draw the addresses on a Sunday, I’ll put them in the mailbox on Monday - provided it’s not a holiday, the mailboxes aren’t emptied here! At least in our area, the opposite is not known to me.

I also always write the date on the card(s) when I draw the addresses.
If I write the cards during the week, I put them in the mailbox the next day.

In the beginning I even wrote the cards during my lunch break, but I don’t have that habit anymore.

I request the address(es), read the profile(s), look for a card that fits as best as possible and write a few lines.

Finally, I write the address and stick the stamps (and the AirMail sticker on the international postcards) on the card(s).

I honestly have to admit that I’m not the type of person who writes a lot when it comes to the official Postcrossing postcards

[Johnk60]

I am new with very few open slots, so once I know the recipient I look at their profile to select a card (I don’t have a lot of stamps at present, so not an issue for choice). I suppose my “ritual” would be that I immediately write the ID# in green along the left edge of the postcard. Writing the card is usually done later that day, after thinking a bit about a message.

[June060310]

As for me:

• Wait for a available slot eagerly.
  Sorry I am new here too, so I only have 8 slots. Take today as an example, my first traveling card only traveled for 36 days, so I am wandering in the forum now🥲. (In fact, I still have an available slot now. But I always keep an slot available, in case of a suddenly chance to mail a card, like traveling to a new place)

• Ask for an address.
  I usually ask addresses at school, because I keep most of my stamps, postcards and pens here. And I am used to write things at school.

• Read the profile.
  I always copy the profile and paste it into a translator. Then I can read it more easily. When I meet some confusing translated words, I will go back to the original page and make them out.

• Take out my postcards and stamps, looking for the best card and stamps to the receiver.
  (I usually keep my hands clean at school, so I seldom go to wash my hands one more time.) I tried my best to choose the best one to the receiver, but if I can’t make it, I will just choose a card the receiver won’t dislike.

• Stick the stamps on the card firstly to avoid taking up the written space.
  And my cards are too small for my big written letters, so I don’t have space for stickers or Washi tapes.

• Write the address.
  I know that it will make it easy to get dirty, but I really enjoy the process of writing the addresses. I have no idea why.

• Write “Dear Someone” and other words.
  Then I will often dirty the card by my hair or my right hand… I try to wait for the ink to dry and write another sentence only after that. But I am so impatient… I enjoy writing cards a lot, but I often find myself finished with writing suddenly. If I make the card untidy unfortunately, I will use “Modification tape” to save it… In the end, I will add my name downside and the date&weather upside. The last step is to write Post ID. But I often “almost” forget it…
  I usually write two copies of the Post ID.The color of ink is different from the ink of main text.

• Then I leave the card alone, waiting for the ink to dry.
  When I am free, I put it into the mailbox of my school. (Another reason for writing cards at school is that there is a mailbox 20 meters from my classroom🤪.) If I write a card at home, I have to go across half of my city to find the nearest pillar box, or just keep it until I go to school and mail it.
  And because that I mail cards at school, I don’t take photos of them. I like to see what will they look like when they arrive in the destination, too. But I don’t ask for uploading the photos if the receivers didn’t upload.

[bryyo]

My writing ritual is:

1. Make tea first. Always. Without exception, tea first, than everything else.

2. Have my desk filled with my blank postcards, pens, stickers and washi tape. Wash my hands.

3. Draw a address, followed by reading the whole profile. If I have cards for the asked topic (one or more), I stack them to the right. I also check the whole favourite, maybe I have the asked postcard.

4. I start to decorate the whole postcard with stickers and washi tape. I use the washi tape to separate my writing space from the address field. ^^ Without using this method, my writing looks like a upside-down staircase. Also add the ID.

5. Starting writing my location with the current date, (weather icon and temperature only if asked). Next I write “Hello [name of recipient]” and everything the person want to know about me or my city or country. I also write about similar hobbys I have in common with the recipient. Also things I did in the past or plan to do in the future. Sometimes I share words they haven’t a english translation, nor can translate into english. But I explain what the words mean and why we use it. Add my signature.

6. Writing down the recipient address.

7. I check the postcard, add maybe more stickers and washi tape if I have the space.

8. Scan the postcard from both sides digital, go to our kiosk with post office, buy a postage stamp, stick them to the postcard and throw them to the letter box outside the kiosk.

[Seracker]

1. I sit in front of the computer and click out a few addresses together.

2. I open up each card number (SG-XXXXXX) in a different page and start reading the profiles of recipients.

3. I get the card ready and prepare to write. My first choice of ink is Noodler’s Bad Blue Heron - if the card doesn’t take this ink well, I use Anti-Fascist Blue. Both are waterproof and fountain pen inks.

4. I write the ID on the top left of the card. Then I proceed with the message

5. After I finish the message, I place the stamp on the top right corner. Then I find empty space for the remainder stickers: an airmail one, and a sticker of my profile picture.

6. I write the address of the recipient. Below the country I rewrite the ID in case the first gets smudged.

7. I find some more space and place a small wax seal of my initial.

8. I then mail the card when I next leave the house

[SvenSerpent]

Heya Everyone!

I was wondering what the process of writing a postcard looks like for other people on here!

For me, I first read through the profile of the receiving person and then take a piece of paper to write down everything I would like to have written on the postcard later on (In case I want to add or delete some things).
After that I pick the postcard I’d like to send them.
I’m still new to Postcrossing and don’t have many postcards to choose from yet,
but I guess when I have more postcards in the future I’ll probably pick the card first before doing anything else!
However, after I picked the card I then transfer what I’ve written on the paper onto the postcard and occasionally add some doodles along the way.
And at the end I add a cute sticker and the stamp. Done~

What does the process for you guys looks like? Similar or completely different? Do you have a routine or usually just go at it at random?
Or maybe you have certain habits you do when writing the postcard like drinking tea along with it?
I’m very curious!

[TazocinWilson]

I love your approach to writing postcards!
It sounds like you really put thought and care into the process. For me, I usually start by selecting a postcard that I think will resonate with the recipient. Then, I jot down a few notes or prompts to guide my message, similar to what you do. I find that taking a few moments to reflect on the recipient and what I want to convey helps me craft a more meaningful message.
From there, I write my message, add any personal touches, and add some stamps.
I don’t have a set routine, but writing postcards is a relaxing and enjoyable activity for me and it gives me great joy.
It’s great to hear about how others approach postcard writing

[KettleofSeveralFish]

I limit myself to one card a day (when I first started I did batches, but I have a bit of an obsessive personality, and I soon realised I was sending up to my limit just because I could and not because I wanted to or had the time to. So setting myself some rules helps!)

If I get the urge to send a card, it usually happens around lunchtime, so I’ll make my lunch and then request the address, reading the profile while I’m eating.

Once I’ve finished eating, I’ll get out my postcard stash and go through card by card (I only buy postcards from physical stores, so my stash is always pretty small) and make a shortlist based on the profile. From that shortlist, if there’s an obvious ‘winner’ (like if the profile says they especially like a particular theme, or if there’s a card that I just like a lot) I’ll pick that, otherwise I’ll pick the card that’s been in the stash the longest.

Next, I’ll scrabble around for a pen and something rigid to rest the card on while I write. This usually ends up being my bird’s favourite bit of cardboard, which is a really good size for a lap rest, though somewhat nibbled at the edges. Bird is unimpressed by losing access to her piece of cardboard and must be appeased by other means (usually scritches).

I always write the address first, then add stamps (If I have stamps that match a profile I’ll use them, otherwise I’ll just use whatever most efficiently gets me the right postage amount). Then I’ll add the ID and date along the top. That gives me a better idea of how much space I have to write the message.

I write messages based on the profile - if they ask for something specific, I’ll write about that, or I’ll try to write something about myself or my country/city that matches their interests, or if there isn’t much info in the profile I’ll just write about whatever comes to mind. Whatever I write, it always starts off as a sensible size and ends up all squishy and small at the bottom because my brain’s added so many tangents and side notes and extra details on the fly. I usually end up signing off at the side of the card because the message has gone all the way down to the bottom. I (and my recipients) would probably benefit from a bit more planning when it comes to messages There’s never space for stickers, even if I had any, which I don’t.

As soon as I’ve finished writing I run down to the postbox which is just across the street from me. I don’t scan postcards, or keep a record of the message or anything - I kind of like forgetting what I’ve sent. Takes the pressure off future sends.

[Johnk60]

Depending on when the slot opens, I’ll either select the new address fairly quickly, or wait until the next morning. First item of business is to select the right card, which can be a real production if I’m in a particularly indecisive mood. Then comes one of my favorite parts, the right stamps! I’ll finish by adding the ID information and the address, but will usually wait until later to write the message. Only on rare occasions where I feel I want to get the card into the mailbox that day on an errand happening soon, rather than wait, will I work on the message at the same time.

[Solan]

• Draw 10 addresses and open them in a new single page

• Print addresses and ID information

• Pick a card for each postcrosser - mostly from their wish list

• Add adress label

• Add stamps - checking if they are a stamp collector

• Add airmail stickers and a flag stickers

• Scan the card if I haven’t already

• Check profile page again

• Handwrite a message and sign the card

[zam_akira]

1. Usually I will wait at least until 10 slot open.
2. If I am writing on weekdays, I prefer to do it at night and writing during the day only on weekend.
3. Keep my hands clean and no drinking or eating while writing the cards. I’m clumsy by nature so this is really necessary.
4. Once I received the address, I will go through the profile (to see their preference and topic of interest).
5. I will write the ID number first and my habit is to write it twice (first at the top of the card and second across the right side of the card). The date is also a must. The topic of my writing depend on the recipient’s interest. Sometime it can be specific (about the culture/celebration in my countries, words of advice/encouragement etc) or general (weather, my hobbies /interest). If the recipients love the same TV shows, artists, books etc as mine I also write about them on my card. I write the address last. I never print any address so far, so writing a long address (with unfamiliar letters/characters) could be a challenge but I really enjoy it.
6. Put on stickers. Usually I put at least one sticker (smiley face/cat/flower etc) on my cards.
7. Lastly I choose the stamp and most of the time I will post all the cards the next day.

[BeeJoyful]

Hi Postcrossers,

I was wondering, do you write your postcards first and then add the stamp(s) or do you add the stamps first and then write the postcard?

This question recently occurred to me because whenever I write the message on the postcard first, I find myself in a dilemma if I’m at the postoffice and there’s not enough room to add the stamps.

• Do you write on the postcard first or put stamps on the postcard first?
• Have you run out of space for stamps? If so, what did you end up doing?
• I have seen some postcards with stamps that overlap on top of each other. Has anyone come across this? I didn’t know that stamps can be overlapped.

Thanks for any insights.

[CrimsonKing]

I stamp my cards first, especially if they’re international so I won’t put a stamp over some writing if I had written the card first.

1.) Stamps
2.) card ID#
3.) address
4.) write postard.

I’ve overlapped stamps before but not by much.

[TraMy]

My order, especially for international cards:

1. Stamps
2. Priority sticker
3. Address
4. Card-ID

…and then my text

[halflingstory]

If I’m using just one stamp, I don’t mind whether it goes on before or after the address, because I can pretty much guarantee there’ll be lots of space left. If I’m using multiple stamps though, I do that before the address to make sure there’s enough room.

Then I do the postcard ID, date, and washi tape/stickers before writing a message

The order varies a bit depending on my mood and how sure I am about the decorations I’m choosing (if I have a Theme I’m excited about or a colour scheme I’m sticking too, the process goes a little faster and I tend to start with those). And if I run out of things to say, I might add an extra sticker on the bottom haha.

[twinkledee]

I do stamps, ID, my message and address last. I leave the address until last because I found sometimes I would accidentally smudge the address if I wrote my message after, depending on what pen I used

[Larch]

If I have stamps at the time, I will always stick the stamps first. A lot of Indonesian stamps are large. And now I need to think about barcode stickers too.

If I don’t have stamps, then I will decide beforehand what stamps I’m going to buy and how many I need, then try to find out / remember their size before writing. Luckily my local post office always sell particular series of stamps so I know how big the space I need to leave. Also, I always make sure not to write anything important near the stamp area. So that if the post office have bigger stamps than I thought, I can just cover a small part of the greetings on the left side or the “To:” above the address. And if it’s still unsuccessful, then I go to other post office to find smaller stamps, or buy a single stamps / souvenir sheet with bigger value instead of the usual 2-3 regular stamps. So far I haven’t overlap the stamps yet. Maybe I will do that -just a little around the edges- if there’s really no other choice.

So my order is :
-Decorations
-Stamps
-Postcard ID
-Address
-Messages

[LC-Canada]

I always do the stamps first as I use 3 - 92 cent stamps (for outside North America) for variety & then it’s clear what space I have left for the address & then the text of the card.

I occasionally have seen stamps layered but I wouldn’t do it as it would defeat the purpose of sending 3 nice Cdn stamps - lots of Postcrossers appreciate a nice variety of stamps & some collect them off the postcard.

I’d never put more than 3 stamps on a card because you’d lose too much space for writing.

If you want as much writing/decorating space as possible just use the single int’l stamp.

I’m not a fan of the current int’l stamp so that’s when I started to use 3 - 92 cent stamps & I realized people appreciated a larger variety of stamps. It also makes it more interesting for me as we have lots of cool stamps.

Order your stamps online from Canada Post (there is a much bigger variety online than what most postal outlets have on hand) & then you can do your cards all up at home & then you just have to slip them into your nearest postal box.

[Hemang]

Very interesting question, i stamp card first then, write Address, cause it’s very important part of card,so it’s must be done.
Then i write message on space which is left, sometimes very very less space but i manage to write something