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Aqueous Coating on a premium postcard stock, printed CMYK at 300 dpi with a 0.125" bleed. 10pt is the thinnest stock USPS accepts for automated postcard rates, so this stock is built for direct mail at volume. Aqueous (AQ) coating is a water-based clear coat — modest sheen, scratch resistance, the everyday surface for short-run postcards. Sized and weighted to qualify for USPS automated postcard rates when paired with the standard 4×6 trim. Order online with instant pricing, upload your file once, and we run print-ready checks (bleed, safe zone, DPI, color space) before anything goes to press.
Aqueous coating on postcard printing creates a slight sheen over the cards. Print custom AQ business cards wholesale now with trade printer zprintz. | Sina:ite USA
Specifications
- Paper Type
- 10PT Printed 1 Side (4/0), 10PT Printed 2 Sides (4/4)
- Color
- Full color CMYK
- Quantities
- 1,000–100,000
- Sizes
- 22 available — 2.5 x 2.5, 2 x 8, 3 x 4, 4 x 4, +18 more
- Turnaround
- 5 - 7 Business Days, 2 - 3 Business Days
- File Type
- Bleed
- 0.125"
- Safe zone
- 0.125"
- DPI
- 300
How it compares
- 10pt for direct mail, 14pt and 16pt for premium hand feel, 18pt for keepsakes — when each stock wins.
- Matte for editorial design and overhead lighting; UV for photo-led promos. The finish-by-use-case decision.
- 4×6 prices at USPS postcard rate; 5×7 prices as a letter. Postage tier vs perceived size.
Production-ready setup template for every available size. Download one to design externally — the page geometry matches what our editor exports.
What stock is aqueous coating printed on?
Aqueous Coating prints on 10pt cover stock. 10pt is the thinnest stock USPS accepts for automated postcard rates, so this stock is built for direct mail at volume.
What sizes are available?
Standard sizes ship as 4×6, 5×7, and 6×9 inches. 4×6 is the USPS postcard rate; 5×7 and 6×9 price as letters. EDDM sizes (6.5×9, 6.5×11, 8.5×11) are quoted separately for neighbourhood direct-mail drops.
How should I set up my file?
Build at the final trim size plus 0.125" bleed on each edge. Keep important text and logos at least 0.125" inside the trim so the cutter doesn't graze them. Export as a press-ready PDF at 300 dpi in CMYK color space. Outline fonts before export to avoid font-substitution surprises.
Can I write on the postcard with a pen?
With a permanent fine-point marker, usually yes — matte and AQ coats take ink with some practice. Gel pens and ballpoints can skip. If pen-writability is critical, choose a writable C1S variant where the back is uncoated.
How long does printing take?
Production typically runs 3–5 business days once the file passes pre-flight, plus shipping time selected at checkout. Larger quantities don't add meaningful production time — most of the cycle is press setup, not press run.
Can these be mailed via USPS Every Door Direct Mail?
EDDM requires specific sizes (6.5×9, 6.25×11, 6.5×11, 6.25×12, 8.5×11) that are quoted as their own variants. Order in the standard sizes above for First-Class mail or hand-delivery; use the EDDM-eligible variants for neighbourhood drops at flat per-piece postage.
Need the dimensions, bleed and file-format requirements? See the full aqueous coating specs →