Mango Postal
Can You Send a Real Postcard Online? How It Works in Canada and the US
Wondering how to send a postcard? There are two ways: the classic way, with a stamp and a mailbox, or online, where you design it on your phone and someone else prints and mails it.
Both get a real card into a real mailbox. Here's how each one works, what it costs, and how long it takes.
Option 1: How to mail a postcard the classic way
- Get a postcard. Buy one, or make your own on card stock at least 0.18 mm thick.
- Write your message on the left half of the back.
- Address it on the right half: name, street, then city, province or state, and postal or ZIP code. Our guide on how to address a postcard has examples.
- Add a stamp in the top right corner. In 2026 that's $1.24–$1.44 CAD within Canada, $1.75 CAD to the US, or $0.65 USD within the US. Full list in how much is a postcard stamp.
- Drop it in a mailbox or at a post office.
Simple, but you need a card, a stamp and a mailbox, and most of us have none of the three at home. So do people still send postcards? Yes, and that errand is the main thing holding more of them back.
Option 2: How to send a postcard online
Sending a postcard online means you design it in your browser and a service prints it on real card stock, adds postage and mails it for you. No stamps, no post office.
With Mango Postal, it takes about two minutes:
1. Add images
Upload photos from your camera roll to the front of the card. Add as many as you like, then move, resize and layer them. Tips on picking good ones are in our photo postcards guide.
2. Write your message
Type your message on the back and pick a pen style, from felt tip to typewriter. A message is required. Stuck? Here's what to write on a postcard.
3. Enter the addresses
Add the recipient's address and your return address. We check the postal or ZIP code as you type.
4. Pay and we mail it
Check out by card or wallet through Stripe. You see the full price, including shipping and tax, before you pay. Your postcard also auto-saves on your device.
How much does it cost to send a postcard online?
Each Mango Postal postcard is $4.99 CAD + $0.99 shipping. That includes printing on 100% cotton archival photo paper, postage, and a free premium envelope.
How long does a postcard take to arrive?
We print and mail your postcard within 24 hours. After mailing, allow:
| Sending to | Delivery time |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 2–5 business days |
| Rest of Canada | 5–7 business days |
| United States | 7–14 business days |
Tip: for a birthday or holiday, order about two weeks ahead for Canada and three weeks ahead for the US.
Mailing it yourself vs. sending online
| By mail | Online with Mango Postal | |
|---|---|---|
| You need | Card, stamp, pen, mailbox | Your phone |
| Your own photos on the front | Only if you print them | Yes |
| Cost within Canada | Card + $1.24–$1.44 stamp | $4.99 + $0.99 shipping |
| Arrives | Open, anyone can read it | In a protective envelope |
Tips for a postcard people keep
- Use photos that mean something to both of you
- Keep the message short. Three sentences is ideal
- Mention one specific shared memory
- Send it for no reason. Surprise mail hits hardest
- Go a bit chaotic with the design. Need ideas? Start from a postcard layout
What you get
- Size: 4 × 6 in (101 × 152 mm). More in our postcard size guide
- Material: 500 gsm, 100% cotton archival photo paper
- Packaging: free premium envelope
- Ships to: anywhere in Canada and the US
FAQ
Can I send a real postcard online?
Yes. You design it online and we print it on 100% cotton archival photo paper and mail it through Canada Post and USPS.
Can I track my postcard?
Postcards travel as regular mail, so there's no tracking number. You'll get an email when your postcard ships.
Will the mail carrier read my message?
No. Every Mango Postal postcard ships in an envelope, so your message stays private.
Where can I send a postcard?
Anywhere in Canada and the United States.
Can I send postcards from my phone?
Yes. Mango Postal runs in your phone's browser, no app needed.
How long does a postcard take to arrive?
We print and mail it within 24 hours. After that, allow 2–5 business days within Ontario, 5–7 for the rest of Canada and 7–14 for the US.
How much does it cost to send a postcard online?
With Mango Postal, $4.99 CAD + $0.99 shipping. That includes printing on 100% cotton archival photo paper, postage and a free premium envelope.
Make one now
Design a postcard on your phone. We print it and mail it anywhere in Canada or the US.
Build Postcard