Plastic Postcards: An Introduction

Plastic postcards have become increasingly popular among advertisers, marketers, and other businesses. Not only do they offer a unique way to get your message out, but they are durable, light-weight, and can be printed on both sides. Most importantly, plastic postcards are a great way to stand out in a crowded mailbox - they're sure to make an impact on your customers. Here, we'll discuss the advantages of using plastic postcards, as well as a few of the things to look out for when creating your postcard.

What Are the Benefits of Plastic Postcards?

The benefits of using plastic postcards are numerous. First, plastic postcards are more durable than paper postcards, meaning that your message is less likely to be damaged in the mail. They're also lightweight which makes them great for mailing in bulk and much cheaper than paper postcards.

Additionally, plastic postcards are more eye-catching than paper cards. They have a glossy finish, so your printed designs will look much better, and they can be printed on both sides, giving you more room to work with. Finally, plastic cards won't tear or fade, so your message will last longer than it would with a paper card.

Pros and Cons of Plastic Postcards

Just like any other marketing tool, there are some pros and cons to using plastic postcards. Here are a few to consider:

Pros:

• More durable than paper postcards
• Lightweight, great for mailing in bulk
• Glossy finish makes them more eye-catching
• Printable on both sides
• Won't tear or fade as easily as paper cards

Cons:

• More expensive than paper cards
• May be less environmentally friendly than paper cards
• Designs may require more ink

Case Studies

Over the past few years, several businesses have seen great success with their plastic postcard campaigns. Here are a few noteworthy examples:

Case Study 1: Liberty Tax Service

Liberty Tax Service used plastic postcards to send out holiday marketing campaigns that highlighted their services and featured seasonal discounts. They found that response rates to their campaigns were 3-4 times higher than their paper postcard campaigns, and the recipients reported spending an average of 25% more than anticipated.

Case Study 2: Hudson Valley Harvest

Hudson Valley Harvest used plastic postcards to promote their product line of organic groceries. Even though their campaign was relatively small, they saw a 65% boost in website traffic and sales, and their email list doubled in size.

Case Study 3: Juicy Juice

Juicy Juice leveraged plastic postcards to create a series of direct mail campaigns that promoted their new product line of healthy, organic snacks. Through these campaigns, Juicy Juice gained over a million subscribers to their email list, and saw an increase in website traffic of 50%, as well as an increase in sales of more than 30%.

FAQs

Are plastic postcards the right choice for me?

It depends on your needs and goals. Plastic postcards can be more expensive than paper postcards, but they are more durable and can make a lasting impression. If you're looking to make a statement with your marketing campaigns, plastic postcards can be a great choice.

Are plastic postcards better for the environment than paper cards?

It's difficult to say for certain. Plastic postcards are more durable than paper cards, so they may be recycled more often. On the other hand, they require more ink to print, so if you're printing large batches, the environmental impact may be greater.

Mistakes People Make

When creating a plastic postcard campaign, it's important to avoid common mistakes. Here are a few to keep in mind:

• Not using a professional printer. Professional printers are well-equipped to handle the intricacies of plastic postcard printing, whereas cheaper options may not be able to produce a quality result.
• Printing too much ink. Too much ink can make your designs look muddy and reduce the impact of your postcards.
• Not formatting correctly. Plastic postcards require a more specialized printing process than paper cards, so make sure you know what format will work best for your printer.
• Not testing the postcards before mailing. Before sending out your postcards en masse, it's important to test them to make sure they look the way they should.

Best Practices

When creating your plastic postcard campaign, there are some best practices to keep in mind:

• Work with a professional printer. Professional printers have the experience and expertise to ensure you get a quality result.
• Print a test card before sending out your postcards. This will help ensure that your postcards look the way they should.
• Design your postcards in Litho or UV format, depending on your printer's capabilities. Litho cards are the most common and are great for large-scale printing.
• Use quality paper stock for added protection. Plastic postcards may be more durable than paper cards, but they're still susceptible to damage.
• Don't overload your postcards with images or text. Too many images or too much text can make your postcard look cluttered and unappealing.

Final Notes

Plastic postcards can be a great way to stand out in a crowded mailbox and make an impact on your customers. They're more durable, lightweight, and offer a glossy finish that can make your designs stand out. However, there are some things to consider, such as cost and environmental impact. Additionally, make sure you're aware of the common mistakes to avoid and the best practices for creating a successful campaign.