How to Write a Postcard: Steps and Message Examples

What do you write on a postcard?

There's not a lot of room on a postcard, so you have to keep it a bit concise. Start off with a little greeting, like “Hello!” If you're out of the country, try a greeting in the local language.

Tell them where the greeting is coming from, give a little update on what you're doing, and finish with a short sign-off. Two to five short sentences is usually good enough and, honestly, all that might fit anyway.

Write your postcard in four parts

1. Greet the person. Use their name, a nickname, or a familiar greeting: “Hi Maya,” “Dear Grandpa,” or “Hello from Maine!”
2. Give them one scene. Describe something you saw, tasted, heard, or did. “We found a tiny bakery by the harbor” gives them more to picture than “We are having fun.”
3. Make it about them, too. Mention why the place reminded you of them, thank them for something, or ask a small question. A postcard can be a hello from home as easily as a travel update.
4. Close and sign. End with “Love,” “See you soon,” or another sign-off that fits your relationship. Add your name so they know who sent it.

A complete vacation postcard example

The postcard in the photo below came from a cousin who was visiting Hawaii.

Aloha!

Hello from a sunny beach on Oahu. We went on some hikes that reminded me of the trip you and I took to Costa Rica! See you when I'm back in Cali!

See you then,
Amber

Postcard message examples for different occasions

Use these original examples as starting points. Replace the names and details with your own instead of copying a memory that is not yours.

To a friend

Hey Jordan,

I saw this card in a bookshop and immediately thought of our weekend road trip. Life here is mostly work, dog walks, and trying to keep one houseplant alive. What have you been up to? Let's catch up soon.

Miss you,
Alex

To family

Dear Grandma,

The leaves are finally changing here, and the park looks like the picture on this card. We took a long walk on Sunday and stopped for hot chocolate afterward. I hope your garden is doing well. Sending you a little piece of autumn.

Lots of love,
Taylor

A thank-you postcard

Hi Chris,

Thank you for having us over last weekend. It was really nice to meet your baby! We loved playing board games and eating cake.

With thanks,
Morgan and Lee

A short postcard from a child

Hi Grandpa!

I saw three sea lions today. One was sleeping on top of the others! I picked this card because you like boats. I will tell you more when I get home.

Love,
Jamie

A simple business thank-you

Hi Casey,

Thank you for trusting us with your project. We enjoyed working with you and appreciate the care you put into every detail. Wishing you a successful opening week.

Best wishes,
Robin and the team

For a business note, keep the message specific to the recipient and sign with a recognizable name. Leave account information and private project details out of an open postcard.

What if you only have room for a few lines?

One small observation can be the whole message. Here are a few ways to start:

• “This view made me think of you. I wish we could have our morning coffee here together.”
• “A small hello from a rainy afternoon. Hope your week has a bright spot in it.”
• “We finally made it to the trail you recommended. The climb was worth it!”
• “No big news today. I just wanted something nicer than a bill to land in your mailbox.”
• “Thank you again for your help. It made a bigger difference than you know.”

Try the message on scrap paper first if the card is small. Cut a sentence before shrinking your handwriting until it is hard to read. If you have more to say, write a letter instead.

How do you sign a postcard?

Choose the same kind of closing you would use in a personal note. “Love” or “Lots of love” works for close family and friends. “Take care,” “Thinking of you,” or “See you soon” suits a casual hello. “With thanks” or “Best wishes” works for a more formal note.

Put your name on the next line. If the recipient may not recognize your first name, use your full name or add a little context, such as “Alex from the garden club.”

Keep the message readable and suitable for an open card

A postcard is not sealed, so anyone handling it may be able to read the message. Save passwords, financial information, sensitive health details, and private news for a sealed letter or another appropriate channel.

Keep your writing in the message area, use a pen that does not smudge on the card, and let the ink dry. Avoid decorations that cover the address or stamp space. If your note needs another whole paragraph, a letter may be a better fit.

Need more room? Check the postcard size guide before choosing a bigger card. Larger retail postcards can need different postage.

Finish the address and postage before you mail it

The message is only one part of the back. Add the recipient's full mailing address in the delivery-address area, then put the stamp in its designated space. Our postcard addressing guide shows the placement.

• Your greeting and signature make it clear who the card is for and who sent it.
• The message stays out of the address and stamp areas.
• The delivery address is complete and readable.
• The postage matches the card's size and destination.

Use the postage calculator if you are unsure what postage the finished card needs. You do not have to fill all the message space for it to be worth sending.