How to Design a Postcard Template in Affinity Publisher

How to Design a Postcard Template in Affinity Publisher

What You'll Be Creating

For this tutorial, we'll be creating a business postcard template in Affinity Publisher. First, we'll create a template which we can use to start postcard projects. Then we'll learn how to design a postcard from this template to create a stylish real estate postcard in Affinity Publisher.

Above, you can see what we'll be creating today! Postcards are a great way of getting your business seen and to add some personal touch to your mail. If you're looking for real estate postcard templates for Affinity Publisher, then you should also check out Envato Elements. Envato Elements has a massive selection of printable postcard templates that you can use!

What You'll Need

To create this printable postcard template, all you'll need is Affinity Publisher. In the second part of this tutorial, we'll be creating a real estate postcard from this template. You'll need the following resources if you want to follow along:

• Village Houses Photo
• House Model Photo
• Candice Sans Serif Font

Feel free to follow the tutorial with your own assets too! 

1. How Do I Create a Postcard Template in Affinity Publisher?

Step 1

With Affinity Publisher open, go to File > New.

Step 2

Next, we'll set the dimensions for our Affinity Publisher postcard. Postcards come in many different sizes and dimensions, but we'll be going with 4 x 6 inches, which is one of the most common sizes.

As our design will be horizontal, however, we'll put this in as 6 X 4 inches (152 x 102 mm).

Tip: You can change the units of the document with the dropdown under DPI if you need to.

Step 3

Now, make sure the Number of pages is set to 2.

Step 4

I would suggest keeping the DPI high, at around 300. As this is a project that should be suitable for print, you'll want to ensure the quality of the print is high. Anything below 300 could result in a blurry print.

Step 5

For the rest of the settings, we'll be using the following:

• Facing Pages: Unchecked
• Color: Leave these at the default values.
• Margins: Check Include margins and set them at 12mm.
• Bleed: Set the bleed at 3mm.

Now go ahead and click Create on the bottom right.

Step 6

Now the setup of your document should look like this: two horizontal postcard pages which will act as the front and back.

Step 7

Now that our document is set up, we can start designing. But before that, let's save this document as a template. Once we have a template set up, we can use this to make more postcards with these exact specifications.

Go to File > Export as Template...

Step 8

Next, find a suitable folder for your printable postcard template for Affinity Publisher. Then select Save.

2. How Do I Design a Postcard From an Affinity Publisher Template?

Step 1

Start by gathering all of your assets. The first one we'll be using is this Village House Photo from Envato Elements. Postcards are often defined by the photo on the front, so try to pick out something that looks scenic.

To place this into your template, go to File > Place...

Step 2

You will now see that your cursor has taken the shape of an arrow with a circle next to it. Click anywhere on the canvas on page 1 to place your photo.

Step 3

Now that the photo has been placed, you will notice that it's a lot larger than the canvas! With the Move Tool selected, use the corner controllers to adjust the size of the image to fit on the page better.

Tip: Remember that you can zoom in and out using Command + and -. 

Step 4

Once you've got the photo approximately at the right size, select the Vector Crop Tool.

Step 5

Use the handles to crop the photo to the size of the page. You'll find that it will snap when you get close to the edges of the page!

Step 6

We're off to a great start for the front of our postcard thanks to the photo. For postcards, it's a good idea to let that image be the focal point.

Let's add a bit of branding to this with a solid color! Select the Rectangle Tool from the toolbar.

Tip: If you see a different shape here, click and hold to see the other available shapes.

Step 7

Click and drag to create a shape like this at the bottom of the page.

Step 8

Now select a color and make sure the stroke is deactivated. I went with a vibrant orange color.

Step 9

Now let's place some text down for our company name! Select the Artistic Text Tool from the toolbar.

Step 10

Place the text on top of the orange bar and type in your chosen company name. We're using the Candice Sans Serif font from Envato Elements.

Step 11

Set the text size to 30 and the color to white.

Step 12

Now repeat the process to create a tagline underneath. Make this one a size of 15.

Step 13

For the next step, we'll add a logo! You can use your own logo. If you need a logo in a pinch, you can check out Envato Elements.

I just created a simple logo using four rectangle shapes.

Step 14

There you have it for the front page of the postcard!

Next, let's work on the second page. Either scroll down or double-click on page 2 in the Pages panel.

Step 15

Let's start off with a photo. We'll be using this House Model Photo from Envato Elements.

Go to File > Place, and then click to place it on the canvas, just as we did previously.

Step 16

We'll want this photo to have a smaller presence than the one on the front.

Using the Move Tool and the Vector Crop Tool, place the image into the top left of the page.

Step 17

Now let's add a shape below the photo to act as a background color and border.

Using the Rectangle Tool, place a shape below the photo, leaving a little padding space between them.

Step 18

Now, use the Artistic Text Tool once again to place down the company name.

I'll be using the Candice font again, but this time at a size of 16 pt.

Step 19

Now let's put a paragraph of text down. This time, select the Frame Text Tool.

Step 20

The Frame Text Tool allows us to write multiple lines within a box. Click and drag to create your text box and enter your desired text. Once again, I used the Candice font, but with a 12 pt size and black.

Step 21

Next, place in your logo and phone number. There's also plenty of space here for any other contact info!

Step 22

For our final portion, we need to add the traditional text area you see on the back of a postcard.

First, select the Rectangle Tool from the toolbar.

Step 23

In the top right, click and drag to create a rectangle. This will be the stamp area of our postcard design.

Step 24

After your shape is created, click the fill area and select the swatch with a red line through to make it invisible.

Step 25

Now select a stroke size of 0.4 by sliding the stroke bar.

Step 26

Now we need to add some lines. Traditionally, this is used to write a personal message, so we'll want to keep this area free from clutter.

With the rectangle selected, remove the stroke.

Step 27

Now add a color to the fill. A black or gray will work well.

Step 28

Drag the rectangle to create your line. Adjust it until you are happy with the size and shape of your line. These will represent the lines which you can write an address or a custom message on once it's printed.

Step 29

Now you can copy and paste your shape to create multiple lines. Once you've arranged your lines and you're satisfied, your postcard design is finished!

There you have it! Now you can create a printable postcard template in Affinity Publisher and use it to create a real estate postcard. You can use this same method to design a postcard for just about anything: business, invitations, or just friendly greetings.

Business and Real Estate Postcard Templates

Looking for some templates to help get you jump-started on your next business postcard project? Then check out some of these amazing templates from Envato Elements. Remember that Affinity Publisher can import InDesign files, EPS, and PDF. This means that a large portion of the real estate postcard templates available on Envato Elements will work well for Affinity Publisher.

1. Business Postcard Template (IDML)

Check out this postcard design template! The generous use of negative space gives it a classy feel. The back has lots of room to write down a personal message. Easily import the IDML into Affinity Publisher. Swap out the image and adjust the text, and you've got a stylish postcard for your business.

2. Real Estate Postcard (EPS, PSD, AI)

This real estate postcard template has a modern design that really stands out. The stylish visuals and generous use of green make the design appealing to a wide audience. The EPS and AI files easily import into Affinity Publisher.

3. Sleek Business Postcard (EPS, AI)

This sleek business postcard design template would be great for any tech-related business. There's lots of text to play with here to drive home a message. Just import the EPS or AI file into Affinity Publisher, and you're ready to customize!

4. Corporate Postcard Template (AI)

Check out this corporate business postcard template. The light blues combined with the greys give it a sophisticated vibe. This one would work great as a real estate template too! It comes in the AI format, which can be imported straight into Affinity Publisher. Pull it in, switch out the logo and photo, and you have a sophisticated postcard.

5. Business Postcard Template (EPS, PDF, PSD, AI)

This business postcard design template is light and airy, giving off a sophisticated confidence. The light blue color scheme is very easy on the eyes. There's a generous amount of space here to write down personal notes. It comes in a variety of formats that can easily be imported into Affinity Publisher. Try switching out the images here to create a stylish real estate postcard.

Looking for more cool tips and tricks for Affinity Publisher? Check out these amazing tutorials from Envato Tuts+!

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