In this tutorial, you’ll learn how to design a postcard template in InDesign. Perfect for promoting a business or event, this versatile postcard sample template can be adapted for a range of industries. If you're strapped for time, find your ideal postcard InDesign template on Envato Elements.
Check out the steps to create your postcard template in InDesign:
What You'll Need
In this tutorial, we’ll create a versatile, easy-to-edit postcard design template that can be adapted with your own choice of background pattern, photos, and fonts. This type of template is easy to change for different occasions, so you can make a different postcard in no time.
We'll create a retail postcard template in this guide, but if you want to create a corporate postcard like the one below, you can do so by downloading the assets and following the same steps.
For the Retail Postcard InDesign Template:
For the Corporate Postcard InDesign Template:
1. How to Set Up Your Postcard Template in InDesign
Step 1
Open InDesign and go to File > New > Document.
Set the Width of the document to 105 mm and the Height to 148 mm*.
Deselect Facing Pages, and add Margins of 7 mm. Add a Bleed of 5 mm to all edges of the page. Then click Create.
* We’ll set up the postcard sample template to a standard postcard A6 size, but you can always adjust this later using the Liquid Layout function in InDesign.
Step 2
Expand the Layers panel (Window > Layers) and double-click on Layer 1, renaming it Background Color.
Then create three more new layers in this order: Pattern, Images, and finally Text at the top.
Lock all layers except Background Color, which we’ll work on first.
Step 3
To create the earthy color palette we’ll be using for the retail postcard design, expand the Swatches panel (Window > Color > Swatches) and choose New Color Swatch from the panel’s main drop-down menu (at top right).
Set the Type to Process, Mode to CMYK, and the values below to C=31 M=75 Y=74 K=34, before clicking Add and OK.
Repeat to create three more CMYK swatches:
- C=9 M=10 Y=14 K=0
- C=91 M=77 Y=42 K=41
- C=63 M=26 Y=18 K=3
2. How to Add a Background Pattern to Your Postcard Setup
Step 1
Working on the Background Color layer, use the Rectangle Tool (M) to create a shape across the whole page, setting the Fill Color to dark blue.
Step 2
Unlock the Pattern layer.
Use the Rectangle Frame Tool (F) to create an image frame across the whole page. File > Place, choosing one of the PNG images from the artisan backgrounds pack (here I’ve used Background-14.png).
Click Open, allowing the image to fill the frame.
Step 3
Unlock the Images layer.
Switch to the Rectangle Tool (M) and create a small rectangle across the bottom half of the page, not extending the edge past the margin line.
Set the Fill Color to the pale cream swatch.
3. How to Add Photos and Text to Your Postcard Sample Template
Step 1
Still working on the Images layer, use the Rectangle Frame Tool (F) to create an image frame across the top half of the page, again not extending across the margin.
File > Place, and choose a photo, such as this one, before clicking Open.
Step 2
Select both the cream rectangle and image frame above, and head up to Object > Effects > Drop Shadow.
Set the Mode to Multiply and Opacity to about 30%. Click on the colored square next to the Mode menu to switch the shadow color to the brown swatch in your palette.
Step 3
Lock all layers except the top layer, Text.
Use the Type Tool (T) to create a text frame towards the top of the cream rectangle, typing in the title, e.g. ‘Store Launch’.
From the Character panel (Window > Type & Tables > Character), set the Font to Marisa Bold, Size 25 pt, Align Center and, from the Swatches panel, to a brown Font Color.
Step 4
Add another text frame below, setting the date, time, and location of the event in dark blue Marisa Bold, Size 10 pt, Align Center.
Add smaller body text below, set in Marisa Regular and a dark blue Font Color.
You can place the business logo at the bottom of the rectangle, or set the name of the business using the fonts you’ve already used.
4. How to Create the Back of the Postcard
Step 1
To start creating the back of the postcard, expand the Pages panel (Window > Pages).
Click on the Create New Page (‘+’) button at the bottom of the panel.
On the page, Right-Click > Page Attributes > Rotate Spread View > 90 Degrees CCW.
Step 2
Working on the Background Color layer, create a shape across the second page using the Rectangle Tool (M). Set the Fill to the cream swatch in your palette.
Step 3
On the Pattern layer, use the Rectangle Frame Tool (F) to create a tall, narrow image frame across the far left side of the page, and File > Place the same background image as before.
Step 4
Working on the Images layer, create two image frames in a vertical row to the right of the pattern’s frame.
File > Place a different image into each frame.
Step 5
To the right of the images, create text frames set in Marisa Bold, Size 11 pt, and a dark blue Font Color.
Use the Line Tool (\) to create a row of evenly spaced lines across the bottom of the cream section. From the Stroke panel (Window > Stroke), set the Weight to 0.25 pt.
Add a ‘TO’ text frame at the top-left corner of the lines to indicate space for writing an address.
Step 6
You might also want to add a website or contact details to the reverse of your card, as well as the business logo. This is common in any back of postcard example.
Allow room at the top right of the card for placing a postal stamp. Now your postcard back template is finished!
5. How to Export Your Adobe InDesign Postcard Template for Printing
Step 1
When you’ve finished working on your postcard setup, go to File > Export.
Choose Adobe PDF (Print) from the Format menu at the bottom of the window, name the file, and then click Save.
Step 2
In the Export Adobe PDF window that opens, choose [Press Quality] from the Adobe PDF Preset menu at the top.
Click on Marks and Bleeds in the window’s left-hand menu.
Check All Printer’s Marks and Use Document Bleed Settings.
Then click Export and you're done!
Here's Your Finished Postcard Template
Now you know how to create a postcard in InDesign. With your design finished and exported, you're ready to send your PDF artwork straight off to the printers. Great job!
You can File > Save your postcard InDesign template, and it's ready for future use.
You'll be able to adapt it into a different style of design simply by switching up the color palette, background pattern, fonts, and photos. Feel free to even try a different back of postcard example. Here it is with a corporate theme, for example:
Cool Postcard Templates From Envato Elements
Looking for a different postcard template for InDesign or other apps? Discover more fantastic postcard templates on Envato Elements:
1. Minimal Postcard Template (INDD, PSD)
Go ahead and create a postcard in InDesign or Photoshop with this stylish, trend-led postcard template. Enjoy the striking typography and a simple, color-pop palette. It features a great postcard back example.
2. Contemporary Photographic Postcard Template (INDD)
A versatile Adobe InDesign postcard template that could be adapted for a variety of industries and purposes, such as photography, architecture, lifestyle, and business. This one also provides a good back of postcard example.
3. Yoga Postcard Template (PSD)
This clean and calm postcard template is ideally suited for yoga instructors or wellness brands. Available as a Photoshop postcard template with easy-to-edit fonts and graphics, and a useful postcard back example.
4. Modern Marketing Postcard (JPG, PSD)
Boost your company's sales with this modern marketing postcard template for Photoshop. Customise the text and photos to create a marketing postcard to suit retail, business, or finance services. You can even use the postcard back example as inspiration for your own design.
Explore More Resources
If knowing how to create a postcard in InDesign isn't enough, keep reading our articles and tutorials. Discover more tips, templates, and recommendations for creating postcards and marketing flyers:
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How to Create a Vintage Type Postcard
36 Best Postcard Templates (InDesign, Photoshop, and More)
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