eduPostal creative templates are created, stored and managed as HTML templates using the eduPostal Direct Mail Editor. Our editor has powerful features such as Variable Data, pURLs and personalized QR Codes, and more.
For very sophisticated images and fonts, many designers choose to use familiar “offline” tools, such as the Adobe® Creative Cloud® and other tools. You can use them with eduPostal as well!
With the “Build Offline” image upload feature, you can:
- create your postcards using design tools of your choice
- export them as .JPG files following the precise instructions below, and
- import the front and back images of the postcard as “full background images” into eduPostal.
- continue to edit the template in the eduPostal editor (layering in personalization and tracking)
- proof the template with live data using the eduPostal Proofer
(Note: We require export as .JPG images, NOT .PDF files).
From the top menu, click Creative>New Template>Build Offline.
This video gives a quick overview of how to upload your creative.
Table of contents
- Overview – How To Properly Save Images For eduPostal Using Adobe Tools
- Safe Margin, Trim, Bleed & No Crop Marks
- Dimensions (Landscape Layout)
- Dimensions (Front Portrait Layout)
- Design Example: Front (Landscape Layout)
- Design Example: Back (Landscape Layout)
- Design Example: Front (Front Portrait Layout)
- Design Example: Back (Front Portrait Layout)
- Saving & Exporting
- Get Help—Build Direct Mail Postcards Offline
Overview – How To Properly Save Images For eduPostal Using Adobe Tools
While eduPostal requires that direct mail templates get finalized and proofed in our online editor, we also make it really easy to build direct mail postcards offline in tools such as those from Adobe®.
Jump to the section of the article describing how to output from:
Designers who are comfortable using these tools can build in their preferred environment, upload the files into eduPostal and still take advantage of the most modern, connected and trackable way to generate direct mail campaigns.
Often, designers who build direct mail postcards offline will use the unique personalization and tracking tools that the Direct Mail Editor can overlay on postcards. These options can be layered on within minutes of uploading the offline built images. When combined with the unique Smart Send and Triggered Drip campaigns, offline created postcards can truly become part of a digital marketing infrastructure.
Build Direct Mail Postcards Offline With Image Files (JPG or PNG)
Often, designers are accustomed to using Adobe® tools to generate PDF’s for review by decision makers, print partners and others. With eduPostal, designers only need to generate image files using offline tools. We recommend saving your design as a JPG or PNG file at 300 dpi, with the exact bleed dimensions specified below. JPG is probably your best bet, as PNG files sizes can get very large. Our maximum allowable file size if 5MB per image.
Use PNG for images that require transparency, like a logo. Background images should be saved in JPG format.
Why output direct mail templates as image files rather than PDF’s? Because eduPostal templates are stored as HTML! Your image will be loaded into a web based editor for final production and proofing. There are several advantages to building direct mail templates and saving them as HTML – personalization, copying and editing become a breeze!
The image files you generate are uploaded into eduPostal where personalization and tracking elements are layered on. eduPostal will generate the final high resolution PDF Proof (see the article on Proofing your template).
Download Adobe® Template Zip File
Postcard Guidelines
These Adobe® templates show specific guidelines for designers who wish to build direct mail postcards offline to upload to eduPostal. Maintaining your artwork within the guidelines will ensure a simple and easy upload process. The templates also include a postcard design example to provide inspiration and show how to maintain your artwork within the guidelines.
The template sizes are available in 4×6, 6×9, and 6×11 in both portrait and landscape layouts.
Landscape Layout:
- 4″ x 6″ (Landscape) 120# (14PT) gloss cover, UV coated
- 6″ x 9″ (Landscape) 120# (14PT) gloss cover, UV coated
- 6″ x 11″ (Landscape) 120# (14PT) gloss cover, UV coated
Front Portrait Layout:
- 4″ x 6″ (Front Portrait) 120# (14PT) gloss cover, UV coated
- 6″ x 9″ (Front Portrait) 120# (14PT) gloss cover, UV coated
- 6″ x 11″ (Front Portrait) 120# (14PT) gloss cover, UV coated
*NOTE: Only the front side of the postcard is a portrait layout. The back maintains a landscape layout.
Template Options
Download Adobe® Template Zip File
Adobe Photoshop® (Recommended)
Adobe Illustrator®
Adobe InDesign®
Template Guidelines (Landscape Layout)
Template Guidelines (Front Portrait Layout)
Only the front side of the postcard has a portrait layout. The backside maintains a landscape layout.
Safe Margin, Trim, Bleed & No Crop Marks
Safe Margin
Keep all text within this boundary to ensure it does not get cut off during printing.
Trim Line
The actual size of the postcard after it has been cut by the printer.
Bleed – the exact dimensions of your background images
The area that extends beyond the trim line, thus being the overall document size.
The Bleed is the exact dimension of all background images in eduPostal. It is the portion of your design that you extend past the Trim or “cut” lines of a printed piece. This is done to ensure that you don’t end up with white lines on your mailpiece due to slight variances in the printing process.
No Crop Marks or Trim Marks
Often, designers who’ve worked on artwork that ends up being printed by commercial printers add “Crop Marks” or “Trim Marks” to the images to help with the printing process. eduPostal templates DO NOT use crop/trim marks, so do not add them or make sure that they are removed prior to finalizing your artwork. Below is an example of these marks that you’ll want to remove.
All background images or artwork that you want to upload into eduPostal in the “Build Offline” uploader must be the exact dimensions of the bleed areas listed below.
Want to learn more about bleed, trim and safe areas in print ads? Here’s a good article.
Dimensions (Landscape Layout)
Key
H = Height W = Width in = inches px = pixels
4” x 6” Postcard (Landscape Layout)
Guides |
H x W (in) |
H x W (px) |
| Bleed (background image requirement) | 4.25” x 6.25” | 1275 x 1875 |
| Trim (estimated cut) | 4” x 6” | 1200 x 1800 |
| Safe Margin | 3.875” x 5.875” | 1162.5 x 1762.5 |
| Address Area | 2.375” x 3.2835” | 712.5 x 985.05 |
6” x 9” Postcard (Landscape Layout)
Guides |
H x W (in) |
H x W (px) |
| Bleed (background image requirement) | 6.25” x 9.25” | 1875 x 2775 |
| Trim | 6” x 9” | 1800 x 2700 |
| Safe Margin | 5.875” x 8.875” | 1762.5 x 2662.5 |
| Address Area | 2.375” x 4.0” | 712.5 x 1200 |
6” x 11” Postcard (Landscape Layout)
Guides |
H x W (in) |
H x W (px) |
| Bleed (background image requirement) | 6.25” x 11.25” | 1875 x 3375 |
| Trim | 6” x 11” | 1800 x 3300 |
| Safe Margin | 5.875” x 10.875” | 1762.5 x 3262.5 |
| Address Area | 2.375” x 4.0” | 712.5 x 1200 |
Dimensions (Front Portrait Layout)
Only the front side of the postcard is a portrait layout, the backside maintains a landscape layout, therefore the dimensions listed below are for the front side of the postcard only. Please follow the landscape dimensions for the back of the postcard.
Key
H = Height W = Width in = inches px = pixels
4” x 6” Postcard (Front Portrait Layout)
Guides |
H x W (in) |
H x W (px) |
| Bleed (background image requirement) | 6.25” x 4.25” | 1875 x 1275 |
| Trim | 6” x 4” | 1800 x 1200 |
| Safe Margin | 5.875” x 3.875” | 1762.5 x 1162.5 |
| Address Area | 2.375” x 3.2835” | 712.5 x 985.05 |
6” x 9” Postcard (Front Portrait Layout)
Guides |
H x W (in) |
H x W (px) |
| Bleed (background image requirement) | 9.25” x 6.25” | 2775 x 1875 |
| Trim | 9” x 6” | 2700 x 1800 |
| Safe Margin | 8.875” x 5.875” | 2662.5 x 1762.5 |
| Address Area | 2.375” x 4.0” | 712.5 x 1200 |
6” x 11” Postcard (Front Portrait Layout)
Guides |
H x W (in) |
H x W (px) |
| Bleed (background image requirement) | 11.25” x 6.25” | 3375 x 1875 |
| Trim | 11” x 6” | 3300 x 1800 |
| Safe Margin | 10.875” x 5.875” | 3262.5 x 1762.5 |
| Address Area | 2.375” x 4.0” | 712.5 x 1200 |
Design Example: Front (Landscape Layout)
The front of the postcard provides an open canvas to design. Reach your audience with bold images, personalization and clear messaging.
Adding Personalization With Variable Data & Variable Logic
Design the look and placement of variable data and variable logic but when saving and exporting document you must leave variable content areas blank; variable data and variable logic will be added online in eduPostal postcard editor.
What is Variable Data?
Information derived from a contact list that populates designated content areas in emails, landing pages, and direct mail to personalize the viewer experience.
What is Variable Logic?
Content that differs between viewers based on their unique information in a contact list. Variable logic makes designs more personalized, efficient, and readable.
Design Example: Back (Landscape Layout)
The back of the postcard includes the address and postage area. Keep this area blank and design your postcard around it. Get your audience more engaged by adding variable data, variable logic, and a Personalized URL(pURL).
Adding a Personalized URL (pURL)
Design the look and placement of the pURL but when saving and exporting document you must leave pURL areas blank; the pURL will be added online in eduPostal postcard editor.
What is a pURL?
A Personalized URL or link is a unique tracking ULR that eduPostal generates for each mailpiece. the pURL identifies each mail recipient, the piece of mail and campaign they came from, and then directs a contact to a unique web landing page generated specifically for that individual. A pURL allows you to create unique marketing messages for each person on your contact list.
Design Example: Front (Front Portrait Layout)
The front of the postcard provides an open canvas to design. Reach your audience with captivating messaging.
Please keep note that only the front of the postcard is a portrait layout, the backside maintains a landscape layout.
Design Example: Back (Front Portrait Layout)
The back of the postcard includes the address and postage area. Keep this area blank and design your postcard around it. Get your audience more engaged by adding variable data, variable logic, and a Personalized URL(pURL). This is the backside to the portrait postcard layout.
Only the front of the postcard is a portrait layout, the backside maintains a landscape layout.
Saving & Exporting
To ensure an easy upload and print process, follow the saving and exporting guidelines. The process varies between Adobe Photoshop®, InDesign®, and Illustrator® so follow accordingly.
Adobe Photoshop® (Recommended)
Want to build an Adobe Photoshop® postcard? It’s easy!
When saving and exporting your front and back postcard in Photoshop®, it is very important to turn off or delete the Specs, Guides, and Design Example layers.
Turn off Layers
In the layers panel, click the eyeball to turn OFF each layer (Specs, Guides, and Design Example).
Delete Layers
In the layers panel, click the lock to unlock layers, (Specs, Guides, and Design Example), then click each layer to highlight and drag to the trash can in the right-hand corner.
Variable Content
Leave areas that will contain variable content (variable data, variable logic, pURL) blank. You will add variable content in the eduPostal editor.
Resolution
Your file needs to be 300 dpi for best print quality. To check your resolution, Select Image>Image Size. The Image Size dialogue box will open. Next to Resolution should be 300 pixels/inch.
Exporting as JPEG (Recommended)
- Convert CMYK to RGB for creative
- Select File > Export > Export As…
- Dialogue Box Opens
- Format select JPG
- Quality select 100%
- Color Space options select “Convert to sRGB ” and “Embed Color Profile”
- Click Export All
- Name your file and save
Exporting as PNG
- Convert CMYK to RGB for creative
- Select File > Export > Export As…
- Dialogue Box Opens
- Format select PNG
- Color Space options select “Convert to sRGB ” and “Embed Color Profile”
- Click Export All
- Name your file and save
*NOTE: You can also export JPGs in CMYK color mode, but make sure the color space options stated above are selected.
*NOTE: Export each Photoshop® page individually to create separate front and back postcard files to upload.
Adobe® InDesign®
There are a few key suggestions for building an Adobe® InDesign® postcard front and back for eduPostal.
When saving and exporting your front and back postcard in InDesign® it is very important to turn off or delete the Specs, Guides, and Design Example layers.
Turn off Layers
In the layers panel, click the eyeball to turn OFF each layer (Specs, Guides, and Design Example).
Delete Layers
In the layers panel, click the lock to unlock layers, (Specs, Guides, and Design Example), then click each layer to highlight and drag to the trash can in the right-hand corner.
Variable Content
Leave areas that will contain variable content (variable data, variable logic, pURL) blank. You will add variable content in the eduPostal editor.
Converting Text to Outlines
When fonts can’t be embedded in exported files, prevent upload errors by converting all text to outlines. Highlight all text, Select Type > Create Outlines.
Resolution
Any image you place into InDesign® needs to be 300 dpi. In the export process you will also export your file in 300 dpi.
Exporting as JPG (Recommended)
- Convert CMYK to RGB for creative
- Select File > Export > Export As…
- Dialogue Box Opens
- Name your file
- select JPEG for “Save as type”
- click save
- A new dialogue box opens
- Under “Image” set Quality to High
- Under “Image” set Format Method to Baseline
- Under “Image” set Resolution to 300
- Under “Image” set Color Space to RGB
- Under “Options” select Embed Color Profile
- Under “Options” select Simulate Overprint
- Click Export
Exporting as PNG
- Convert CMYK to RGB for creative
- Select File > Export > Export As…
- Dialogue Box Opens
- Name your file
- select PNG for “Save as type”
- click save
- A new dialogue box opens
- Under “Image” set Quality to High
- Under “Image” set Resolution to 300
- Under “Image” set Color Space to RGB
- Under “Options” select Simulate Overprint
- Click Export
*NOTE: You can also export JPEGs in CMYK color mode, however double check the color when proofing to make sure they match. If the colors differ, please print from the proofed PDF to check if the print color is accurate. If it is not you may need to adjust your CMYK values to match RGB color value representation.
*NOTE: Export each InDesign®page individually to create separate front and back postcard files to upload.
Adobe® Illustrator®
Follow similar rules when creating an Adobe Illustrator®postcard front and back.
When saving and exporting your front and back postcard in Illustrator® it is very important to turn off or delete the Specs, Guides, and Design Example layers.
Turn off Layers
In the layers panel, click the eyeball to turn OFF each layer (Specs, Guides, and Design Example).
Delete Layers
In the layers panel, click the lock to unlock layers, (Specs, Guides, and Design Example), then click each layer to highlight and drag to the trash can in the right-hand corner.
Variable Content
Leave areas that will contain variable content (variable data, variable logic, pURL) blank. You will add variable content in the eduPostal editor.
Converting Text to Outlines
When fonts can’t be embedded in exported files, prevent upload errors by converting all text to outlines. Highlight all text, Select Type >Create Outlines.
Resolution
Any image you place into Illustrator®needs to be 300 dpi. In the export process you will also export your file in 300 dpi.
Exporting as JPEG (Recommended)
- Convert CMYK to RGB for creative
- Select File > Export > Export As…
- Dialogue Box Opens
- Name your file
- Check Use Artboards
- select JPEG for “Save as type”
- click save
- A new dialogue box opens
- Under Image set Color Model to RGB
- Under Image set Quality to 10 and Maximum
- Under “Options” set Compression Method to Baseline (standard)
- Under “Options” set Resolution to Screen 300ppi
- Select Embed ICC Profile
- Click OK
Exporting as PNG
- Convert CMYK to RGB for creative
- Select File > Export > Export As…
- Dialogue Box Opens
- Name your file
- Check Use Artboards
- select PNG for “Save as type”
- click save
- A new dialogue box opens
- Under “Options” set Resolution to Screen 300ppi
- Click OK
*NOTE: You can also export JPEGs in CMYK color mode.
*NOTE: Export each Illustrator®artboard individually to create separate front and back postcard files to upload.
Get Help—Build Direct Mail Postcards Offline
It is easy to build direct mail postcards offline and still get the powerful campaign management, CRM integration, tracking and personalization tools from eduPostal. If you have any questions, or if you want to discuss your campaign or creative strategies with our experts: