A commercial printer with direct-mail capabilities can manage postcard production, addressing, postal preparation and distribution as one coordinated job. Buyers searching for \u201cqui fait impression cartes postales et distribution courrier Quebec\u201d should look for a supplier that understands both printing specifications and Canada Post requirements.<\/p>\n
Keeping print and mailing under one roof reduces handoffs between the designer, printer, data processor and mail house. It also allows the postcard format, paper, coating, address area and production schedule to be reviewed before printing begins.<\/p>\n
A qualified supplier should be able to:<\/p>\n
Postcards mailed as standard Letter-post items in Quebec generally need to stay between 140 \u00d7 90 mm and 235 \u00d7 120 mm. Quebec campaigns follow the same national Canada Post size rules as mailings sent elsewhere in Canada.<\/p>\n
The minimum and maximum dimensions are measured with the postcard in its finished form. According to the Canada Post Letter-post guide, current edition<\/a>, a standard card must be at least 140 mm long by 90 mm wide and no larger than 235 mm long by 120 mm wide.<\/p>\n Canada Post identifies 165 \u00d7 108 mm as an optimal card format for commercial mail and recommends that the paper grain run in the long direction (Canada Post Commercial Mail Customer Guide, current edition<\/a>).<\/p>\n This format gives a marketing team more design space than a small postcard while remaining practical for mail processing. It can accommodate a strong headline, product image, offer, QR code and clear address panel without making the layout feel crowded.<\/p>\n Larger cards can create more visual impact, but the printer should confirm that the final dimensions, thickness and weight qualify for the intended postal service. A non-standard shape or oversized format may change the postage category and campaign budget.<\/p>\n Standard cards need proportions that can move reliably through postal equipment. Canada Post specifies an aspect ratio between 1.3:1 and 2.6:1 for standard Letter-post cards (Canada Post Letter-post guide, current edition<\/a>).<\/p>\n Square cards and unusually narrow formats may look distinctive, but they need a postal review before production. The safest approach is to approve the finished dieline and mailing method together.<\/p>\n A postcard needs enough rigidity to travel without an envelope while still meeting postal thickness and weight limits. Stock selection therefore affects appearance, handling, print quality and mail eligibility.<\/p>\n The Canada Post commercial mail guidance calls for 160 gsm card or postcard stock and indicates that it should not be less than 111 gsm (Canada Post Commercial Mail Customer Guide, current edition<\/a>). These are postal preparation benchmarks, not universal recommendations for every design or printing process.<\/p>\n For many campaigns, a printer may recommend a heavier cover stock to create a more substantial feel. That decision should be checked against the completed postcard\u2019s total thickness and weight, particularly when coatings, labels or attached components are involved.<\/p>\n Coated stock<\/strong> produces sharp photographs, saturated colours and smooth gradients. It is a common choice for retail offers, real estate mailings, restaurant promotions and product launches.<\/p>\n Uncoated stock<\/strong> has a more tactile appearance and is easier to write on. It suits appointment reminders, handwritten notes, community campaigns and brands seeking a natural paper texture.<\/p>\n Coated one side stock<\/strong> provides a glossy or smooth promotional face and a more writable reverse. It can be useful when the recipient needs to add information or bring the card to a store.<\/p>\n Paper availability, recycled content and certification options vary by job. Buyers with environmental procurement requirements should specify those needs during estimating rather than after the stock has been selected.<\/p>\n Digital printing is usually suited to shorter runs and variable content, while offset printing becomes attractive for longer runs or campaigns requiring tightly controlled brand colour. The right process depends on quantity, schedule, artwork and personalization.<\/p>\n Digital production supports variable-data printing, allowing individual cards to carry different names, addresses, images, languages, offers or location details. It is particularly useful for segmented Quebec campaigns where French and English creative versions may be assigned by audience or region.<\/p>\n Offset is often selected for larger quantities, repeat retail campaigns and colour-sensitive work. It offers efficient production at scale and can support specific spot colours when required by brand standards.<\/p>\n Possible finishing choices include:<\/p>\n Finishing must not interfere with addressing, barcode readability or postal processing. Decorative treatments can also alter thickness, weight and flexibility, so they should be reviewed before the artwork and postage plan are finalized.<\/p>\n Postcard distribution can include data processing, variable addressing, postal preparation and delivery to Canada Post. The mailing list and service category should be confirmed before the printer imposes or prints the cards.<\/p>\n Accent Impression prints postcards on its own presses in Montreal and coordinates direct mail<\/a> preparation and distribution for campaigns in Quebec and across Canada.<\/p>\n A complete mailing workflow can include:<\/p>\n Mailing data should be shared through an agreed secure method. The printer and customer should also establish who is responsible for suppression lists, duplicate removal, language segmentation and final approval of variable fields.<\/p>\n Standard postcards must be at least 0.18 mm thick and cannot exceed 50 g (Canada Post size and weight requirements, current online edition<\/a>). Weight is rarely the limiting issue for a simple card, but attachments, folds and specialty constructions can change its classification.<\/p>\n Postcards work best when the message can be understood quickly and the recipient has one clear next step. Their open format makes the headline, image and offer visible without requiring an envelope to be opened.<\/p>\n Retailers can use postcards to announce openings, seasonal events, loyalty offers, new collections or store-specific promotions. Variable printing can direct each household to its nearest location or provide a region-specific coupon code.<\/p>\n Postcard creative can also match in-store signs, shelf talkers, window graphics and point-of-purchase displays. This creates continuity between the mailed offer and the customer\u2019s store visit.<\/p>\n Restaurants, clinics, home-service companies, automotive businesses and independent retailers can target defined delivery areas around a location. The design should make the business name, service area, offer and response method immediately clear.<\/p>\n A supplied customer list can support reminders, loyalty rewards, reactivation offers and event invitations. Personalized postcards can reference the recipient\u2019s location, account category or previous relationship, provided the data is appropriate for that use.<\/p>\n Postcards can support trade shows, product samples, appointment campaigns and account-based marketing. A printed card may also direct recipients to a landing page, booking form or sales representative through a QR code and short URL.<\/p>\n Artwork should be built to the printer\u2019s template, with proper bleed, safe zones, resolution and colour settings. Mailing files should be organized so each variable field can be tested before the full campaign is produced.<\/p>\n Allow clear space for the recipient address, postal markings and any machine-readable elements required for the selected service. Avoid placing essential copy too close to an edge, perforation, rounded corner or address zone.<\/p>\n A useful project package includes:<\/p>\n For Quebec campaigns, French-language requirements should be reviewed during copy development. National campaigns may also need separate French and English versions, with careful data rules determining which recipient receives each version.<\/p>\n Compare the complete delivered program, not printing cost alone. Paper, personalization, data work, finishing, postal preparation, postage and transportation can all affect the final budget and schedule.<\/p>\n Ask prospective suppliers to clarify:<\/p>\n Specifications and pricing vary by job. The most reliable estimate is based on final dimensions, stock, quantity, artwork, mailing data and intended distribution method.<\/p>\n Yes. A printer with mailing capabilities can produce the cards, add recipient addresses, prepare the postal documentation and induct the campaign into Canada Post\u2019s network. Confirm whether every step is handled internally or assigned to another supplier.<\/p>\n The best size depends on the creative and postal service, but 165 \u00d7 108 mm is identified by Canada Post as an optimal commercial-mail format. The final piece still needs to meet all applicable weight, thickness, layout and preparation requirements.<\/p>\n Yes. Variable-data printing can change names, addresses, QR codes, coupons, store locations, images and messages from one card to the next. Clean, well-structured data is essential for accurate production.<\/p>\n Not always. Some quotations separate printing, data processing, postal preparation and postage. Buyers should request an itemized estimate and confirm when postal rates will be calculated or deposited.<\/p>\n Lead time varies by quantity, printing method, stock availability, finishing, data quality and postal service. Build in time for artwork review, data testing, proof approval, production and mail delivery, especially for fixed retail events.<\/p>\n Yes, provided they meet the applicable international Letter-post requirements. International cards can be no larger than 235 \u00d7 120 mm and must be made from cardboard or another commonly used printing material with a minimum weight of 2 g (Canada Post Letter-post Regulations<\/a>). Requirements and postage should be verified before printing.<\/p>\n Have a print or packaging project? Talk to our team. We take it from concept to delivery, on our own presses, here in Montreal.<\/p>\nA practical size for commercial campaigns<\/h3>\n
Shape and aspect ratio<\/h3>\n
Which paper stock works best for mailed postcards?<\/h2>\n
Coated versus uncoated stock<\/h3>\n
What printing and finishing options are available?<\/h2>\n
Digital printing<\/h3>\n
Offset printing<\/h3>\n
Protective and decorative finishes<\/h3>\n
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How are postcards addressed and distributed?<\/h2>\n
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Which campaigns are postcards best suited to?<\/h2>\n
Retail and multi-store promotions<\/h3>\n
Local customer acquisition<\/h3>\n
Customer retention<\/h3>\n
B2B and event follow-up<\/h3>\n
How should buyers prepare artwork and mailing data?<\/h2>\n
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What should buyers compare before placing an order?<\/h2>\n
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Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\n
Can one company print and mail postcards throughout Quebec?<\/h3>\n
What is the best postcard size for a Quebec mailing?<\/h3>\n
Can every postcard have a different name or offer?<\/h3>\n
Is postage included in postcard printing prices?<\/h3>\n
How early should a postcard campaign be booked?<\/h3>\n
Can postcards be mailed outside Canada?<\/h3>\n
Request a quote<\/h2>\n