Artwork Guide v1.0 - A5 postcard - May 2026

For advertisers

How to supply artwork for your postcard slot.

Everything you need to brief a designer or supply your own artwork for the LocalBuzz Media postcard. This is for a premium A5 glossy postcard delivered through Royal Mail Door to Door.

Postcard spec

The printed postcard is A5 portrait. If your advert is being designed for you, we will handle the setup. If you are supplying finished art, use the live slot size and keep important text away from the edges.

  • Format: A5 portrait postcard
  • Trim size: 154 x 216 mm
  • With bleed: 160 x 222 mm
  • Bleed: 3 mm on every edge
  • Recommended safety zone: 4 mm inside trim
SpecValue
Resolution300 dpi at final size
Colour modeCMYK - FOGRA39 / ISO Coated v2
Stock350 gsm silk with gloss laminate
Preferred file typePress-ready PDF/X-1a
FontsEmbedded or outlined
Black text100K only, not rich black
Minimum line weight0.25 pt

Slot sizes

Each edition carries a maximum of 10 businesses, with 4 Premium and 6 Standard slots across the two sides of the postcard. Only one business per trade category appears on a given postcard.

Premium slot

Live area: 73 x 80 mm

300 dpi supply size: approx. 862 x 945 px

Premium ad area
  • Top-row position with stronger visibility
  • Best for strong logo use and a clear hero image
  • 4 Premium slots per edition
  • Design support and QR reporting included

Standard slot

Live area: 48 x 50 mm

300 dpi supply size: approx. 567 x 591 px

Standard ad area
  • Compact format for one clear message
  • Best for logo, offer, phone number, and QR code
  • 6 Standard slots per edition
  • Design support and QR reporting included
Option A - Design included

We design it for you

Send the basics and we will prepare the advert for you.

  • Logo file
  • Short headline or offer
  • Phone number, website, service area
  • One or two photos if relevant
  • Any brand colours or preferences
Option B - Supply finished art

You supply the final artwork

If you already have a designer, send a press-ready PDF built to the correct size.

  • PDF/X-1a - CMYK - 300 dpi
  • Fonts embedded or outlined
  • One single-page PDF per advert
  • Leave room for the QR code
  • We will still proof placement before print

Artwork requirements

Use 300 dpi minimum

Photos should be 300 dpi at final size. Anything much lower will look soft on glossy stock.

Use CMYK

Convert to CMYK before export. RGB files can shift in print, especially bright reds, greens, and blues.

Embed or outline fonts

Do not leave live fonts unembedded in finished PDFs.

Leave edge space

Keep logos, URLs, phone numbers, and small text safely inside the slot edges.

Keep text readable

Body copy should usually be 8 pt minimum. Important CTAs and phone numbers should be larger where possible.

QR code space

Leave a clear 16 x 16 mm area for the QR code. LocalBuzz Media will generate and place it.

Use a proper logo file

Vector is best. If not, use a high-resolution PNG with transparency. Do not crop logos from screenshots.

Pre-flight checklist

  • Artwork built to the correct slot size
  • 300 dpi at final size
  • CMYK, not RGB
  • Fonts embedded or outlined
  • Important text kept away from edges
  • Clear QR code space reserved
  • Logo supplied in a print-usable format
  • Filename clearly labelled for the area or edition