How to Make Glossy Postcards Making glossy postcards isn't all that different from making regular, computer-generated postcards, except you need to be a little more creative to get the finished product. Most companies that make postcard stock paper make it with a matte or non-glossy surface, so it isn't going to work for you.
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1 Set up the postcard as you would for traditional postcard printing. This means in either Adobe Photoshop, Swift Publisher or QuarkXPress, set the page size for 4-by-6 inches with a full-bleed. A full-bleed means the image will print to the edge of the paper. Do this by setting the picture box out to the full limit of the layout. To make certain it is a full-bleed, make a photo a little bigger than the layout. This will cut off---clip---a fraction of the photo when printing.
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2 In the same document, if you are using a desktop publishing program, add a second page identical to the first. In QXP, go to Page>Insert where you can add the page. If you are working in Photoshop, create a separate file for the front and back of the postcard, making sure you set them for the same size.
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3 Select the photo for the front of the postcard. Tone it and size it to 4-by-6 inches in Photoshop. You can add text to the photo in Photoshop, if you want, or in QXP. For the back of the postcard, you will need to design a standard postcard. This usually means an area for a hand-written message on the left half and a place for stamps and the address on the right half.
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4 Get the thickest glossy photo paper you can that is printable on both sides. This usually will be called brochure paper and is available online or in stationery or business supply stores. Unless you can find thick glossy paper printable on both sides in the 4-by-6-inch size, you will need to cut the postcards by hand. Since it will be glossy on both sides, you will need to use an indelible marker such as a Sharpie to write the message, or you can write it in the computer before printing.
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5 Use standard postcard stock paper and then laminate it. If you are going to make a lot of postcards or other things you intend to laminate, get a lamination machine. If you only need to laminate a few items, go to a store that does this. Many small and big businesses do this from Staples and OfficeMax down to local mail box and shipping stores. Be careful not to laminate the back of the postcards where the text is. The U.S. Post Office will need to stamp in that space so if you do have to laminate both sides, place the stamps on top of the lamination. If you laminate with basic equipment, the process takes place with pouches, meaning you must laminate on both sides. However, if you have a higher grade machine or go to a store for service, one-sided lamination is possible.
More Resources
Postcard Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/postcards.html 4×6 Postcard Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/postcard-printing.html 5×7 Postcard Printing http://www.samedayprinting.com/standard-postcardprinting.html