1. ShippingEasy
  2. Integrations Guides
  3. Carrier Rates

Postage Cost of Greeting Cards | Overview

Avatar

ShippingEasy Content Team

Updated

When sending greeting cards through the USPS, a typical card can be mailed for the cost of one postage stamp.

In 2023, a 1 oz First-Class Mail postage stamp costs $0.66 at the Post Office.

Smaller greeting cards that do not require envelopes (measuring min. 5" L, 3.5" H, 0.007" W, and max. 9" L, 6" H, 0.016" W) may also be eligible for postcard pricing. In 2023, a First-Class Mail postcard stamp costs $0.51 at the Post Office.

ShippingEasy partners with Stamps.com to provide First-Class Mail letter postage in 1 oz increments, up to 3.5 oz. Learn how to purchase a First-Class Mail letter stamp.

Ensure Correct Amount of Postage for Greeting Cards

  • Add a stamp for each ounce the card weighs. Be sure to round up. For example, a card that weighs 1.5 oz would get two stamps.

  • Additional charges may apply if the card is non-machinable, rigid, or oversized. If unsure, we recommend using ShippingEasy or your local post office provider to avoid delays or adjustments.

Examples of Greeting Card Postage Costs

Christmas Cards

  • Card dimensions:

    • Measures 8"L x 5"H x 0.25"W

    • Weighs 2 oz

  • Issues:

    • Exceeds the maximum letter height of 6.125"

  • Suggested service and cost:

Large Musical Greeting Card

  • Card dimensions:

    • Measures 6.5" L x 6.5" H x 0.25" W

    • Weighs 1.5 oz

  • Issues:

    • Exceeds the maximum letter height of 6.125"

  • Suggested service and cost:

    • Since it is uniformly thick and slightly flexible but too large to be sent as a letter, it is considered a large envelope.

    • Pay the 2 oz First-Class Mail Large Envelope/Flat rate.

Small Square Greeting Card

  • Card dimensions:

    • Measures 5.5" L x 5.5" H x 0.25" W

    • Weighs 2 oz

  • Issues:

    • It does not meet the aspect ratio criterion for a letter. Since it is square, the aspect ratio is less than 1.3.

  • Suggested service and cost:

Letter Size Greeting Card

  • Card dimensions:

    • Measures 6.25" L x 5" H x 0.125" W

    • Weighs 2 oz

  • Issues:

    • None

  • Suggested service and cost:

    • Since it is uniformly thick, slightly flexible, within letter-size dimensions, and meets the aspect ratio criterion, it qualifies for First-Class Mail.

    • Pay the 2 oz First-Class Mail rate.

Besides the weight of the card, there are a couple of potential charges that might affect the price of your postage:

  • Non-machinable surcharge

  • "Rigid" letter-size pricing

Non-Machinable Greeting Cards

The Non-Machinable Surcharge applies to First-Class Mail letters that cannot be processed automatically, such as envelopes that are too large, too small, too thick, or mislabeled. Letters that cannot be processed using standard sorting machines must be sorted by hand. For instance, square greeting cards often do not fit in standard sorting equipment. Learn more about USPS non-machinable surcharges.

As of August 2023, USPS's non-machinable surcharge for First-Class Mail is $0.40.

Remember that cards sent as a "large envelope/flat" are not subject to the non-machinable surcharge. Learn more about First-Class Mail flats.

“Rigid” Letter-Size Pricing

Greeting cards can be classified as “rigid” if they cannot flex at least 1-inch and is less than:

  • 11-1/2" L x 6-1/8"H x 1/4"W

  • 3.5 oz

If letters meet these conditions, they will be charged the standard postage rate, plus a non-machinable surcharge. Find out how USPS determines flexibility.

If greeting cards exceed these dimensions, they will be priced as a "large envelope/flat". Learn more about First-Class Mail flats.

Sending Oversized Greeting Cards

It may be possible to send an oversized greeting card as a letter by folding it smaller. To do so, fold it gently and seal it with wafer glue, sealing glue, or tape.

Be sure to avoid mailing issues by checking that:

  • The adhesive does not interfere with the barcode or mailing address.

  • The letter falls within the acceptable sizes for folded self-mailers: 4-1/4”L x 6” H minimum up to 6-1/8”L x 10-1/2” H maximum.

  • Learn more about USPS limits for letter dimensions.

Comments

Add a Comment

Please sign in to leave a comment.

    Tags:
  • usps
  • first class
  • letter
  • answerbot_article_public
  • mail
  • first-class
  • postcard