Specialty Post Cards
Standard direct mail gets noticed, but specialty postcards get kept. When you need to make an undeniable impact—whether it’s a VIP event invitation, a luxury real estate listing, a boutique brand launch, or a high-end promotional offer—our custom specialty postcards deliver a tactile and visual experience that demands attention. Elevate your marketing with unique paper stocks and premium finishes that reflect the true luxury and quality of your business.
Please submit two PDF files:
- Regular full color artwork.
- Metallic Foil template indicating the area of the Metallic Foil.
On the template file, indicate the area of Metallic Foil by using 100% K. Non Foil areas should be white. For best results, ensure this file is vector.
If ordering a 4/4 job with Metallic Foil on only one side, please ensure that page 1 of your artwork is the Foil side.
Commercial Specialty Post Cards Printing in Canada — Overview & Specs
Standard direct mail gets noticed, but specialty postcards get kept. When you need to make an undeniable impact—whether it’s a VIP event invitation, a luxury real estate listing, a boutique brand launch, or a high-end promotional offer—our custom specialty postcards deliver a tactile and visual experience that demands attention. Elevate your marketing with unique paper stocks and premium finishes that reflect the true luxury and quality of your business.
Please submit two PDF files:
- Regular full color artwork.
- Metallic Foil template indicating the area of the Metallic Foil.
On the template file, indicate the area of Metallic Foil by using 100% K. Non Foil areas should be white. For best results, ensure this file is vector.
If ordering a 4/4 job with Metallic Foil on only one side, please ensure that page 1 of your artwork is the Foil side.
Paper Stocks & Finish Options Guide
Compare every paper stock and finish available for Specialty Post Cards to find the ideal look, tactile feel, and functional utility for your project.
Pearl Paper Postcards
Unique Aesthetic“This stock has a unique aesthetic appeal along with its distinct texture”
What is pearlescent paper? Pearlescent paper is a subtly shimmering paper stock infused with fibers that show up as tiny metallic specks. Pearlescent paper printing allows the shimmer in the pearl postcard to shine through ink. Areas of the paper that have no ink look like they have silver dust brushed gently over them. When held under the light at certain angles, these elegant pearl postcards appear to glitter, making them look like they were printed on stardust.
Kraft Paper Postcards
100% Recycled Paper Fibers“Kraft paper is an environmentally friendly stock comprised of recycled paper fibers”
Kraft paper postcard printing on 100% recycled kraft cardstock produces an eco-friendly postcard with natural fibers. Custom printed kraft postcards have a handmade look that is becoming an increasingly popular printing trend.
NOTE: We do not print white inks on kraft stock (only CMYK inks will be printed). Not recommended for full color photos/images as they will become darker due to the darker color of the paper. This is better suited for high contrast designs with fewer colors.
Metallic Foil Postcards
Silver or Gold Foil“Raised foil postcards stand out with their silver or gold custom foil printing”
Raised foil postcards stand out with their silver or gold custom foil printing. Our foil printing produces a premium look popular for invitations cards and certificates.
Our regular 16pt C2S stock is laminated with a silky matte lamination to create the smooth texture and thickness of these metallic foil postcards before we add our foil finish printing.
Important Instructions
For best results, we strongly recommend you ensure the following to avoid delays and/or unexpected print results.
- Supply fonts larger than 8pt.
- Use sans serif fonts.
- Avoid having artwork underneath the foil areas (i.e. using a mask instead).
- Avoid areas of heavy foil coverage with small/fine (non-foil) text or linework knocked out, as there is a tendency for these to fill in.
CAUTION: Our foil machine manufacturer does not recommend extending the foil design to the trimmed edge of the card, as there would be a high possibility of the foil peeling off along the trimmed edges. There should be at least a 5mm foil-free area around the edges. If you supply foil files with full bleed, please note our automation will automatically apply a 5 mm gap (from the trim edge) on your foil files to prevent the risks of the trimmed edges lifting/peeling. The non-foiled gap area may be visible along the edges as a result. It is best to avoid full bleed on your foil files for the above reasons.
Add More Space Between Letters
Metallic foil needs extra room to apply properly.
- Increase letter spacing (tracking) slightly.
- For small text, a tracking of +20 to +50 works well.
- Watch out for letters that sit very close together and space them out a bit.
Choose the Right Font Size and Weight
Very thick or tiny text can cause problems with foil.
- Avoid ultra-bold or heavy fonts
- Use regular or medium font weights instead
- Keep foil text at least 7–8 pt for best results
Reduce Thick Letter Shapes
If your text looks tight or heavy:
- Add a very thin outline (stroke) inside each letter.
- Set the outline color to match the background.
- This slightly reduces the thickness of the letters, creating more space between them.
Why this helps: Metallic foil can spread during production. Thinning the letters prevents them from touching or filling in once foiled.
Allow for Foil Spread
Foil can spread slightly during production.
- Very small gaps may disappear.
- Keep visible spaces between letters and shapes no thinner than 0.3–0.5 pt.
Durable Postcards
Tear / Waterproof Stock“This smooth and matte synthetic paper is as durable as plastic but is recyclable and non-toxic”
Waterproof postcards made from this premium synthetic paper retain ink rain or shine. Non-toxic, tear-resistant and 100% recyclable, these durable postcards are sure to differentiate you from your competitors. Great for outdoor documents or menus without worrying about damage from frequent use.
Commercial Prepress & File Preparation Standards
To ensure optimal commercial print clarity and prevent production delays, please prepare your design files according to the following trade specifications: