Designing the Back of a Postcard: Adding Guides, Text, and Images for Address and Stamp Placement

In this tutorial, we'll design the second side of our postcard—the mailing side that requires precise layout to accommodate postal requirements. Let's start by adding an additional page to our document.

Navigate to the Pages Panel and click the "Create New Page" icon at the bottom. With our new page created, we'll establish the foundational structure using guides that ensure our design meets postal standards. The first critical guide should be positioned at exactly 3.5 inches from the left edge. Hold Shift while dragging to create this guide—this vertical line separates the left messaging area from the right-side address and postage zone, a requirement enforced by postal services worldwide.

Now we'll reserve space for the postage stamp. Standard stamps measure approximately 0.875 inches square, but we'll create a slightly larger frame to account for placement variations. Select the Rectangle Frame tool and click once on your canvas. In the dialog box, enter 1.25 for both width and height, then click OK. This extra quarter-inch buffer ensures your stamp won't encroach on address space, even if placement isn't pixel-perfect.

With the Rectangle Frame selected, press V to activate the Selection Tool. Position this frame in the top-right corner using either manual dragging or precise numerical input via the Properties Panel. For exact placement, set the X position to 6 and Y position to 0, ensuring you've selected the top-right reference point in the proxy. This positioning creates the standard stamp placement expected by postal automation equipment.

Next, we'll create the text areas that will hold our content. Select the Type Tool and drag to create a text frame from the left margin to the bottom-right of the messaging area (left of our 3.5-inch guide). Switch back to the Selection Tool (V) to refine the frame's boundaries. Drag the right edge to align with your guide, then hold Shift while adjusting the left edge to maintain proportional spacing. For center-based adjustments, hold Alt while dragging—this technique ensures balanced white space around your content.

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With your text frame positioned, let's establish the typography. Double-click inside the frame to activate the Type Tool, then access the font controls in the Control Bar. Select Chivo Regular—a contemporary, highly legible typeface that performs well in both print and digital applications. Set the font size to 10 points, which provides optimal readability for postcard messaging while maximizing your available space. Since we're working with layout structure, right-click and select "Fill with Placeholder Text" to visualize how your content will flow.

The address section requires its own dedicated text frame. Using the Type Tool again, drag from just below the stamp area down to the bottom margin of the postcard. Resize this frame using the Selection Tool, ensuring it extends to the right edge while providing adequate left margin. Hold Alt while making final adjustments to center the frame proportionally within the available space.

For the address content, double-click to enter text mode and create a properly formatted address structure: "Business Name" on the first line, followed by "First Last Name," then "Address Line 1," "Address Line 2," and "Address Line 3." This hierarchical format accommodates apartment numbers, suite designations, or extended addressing requirements. Select all text with Ctrl+A and apply the same Chivo Regular font for visual consistency across your design.

To enhance brand recognition, we'll incorporate your logo into the messaging area. Access your CC Libraries panel where your Domus logo is stored—this cloud-based asset management ensures you're always working with the most current brand assets. Drag the logo onto your postcard, positioning it in the lower-left area of the messaging zone. Scale it appropriately; the logo should be prominent enough for brand recognition without overwhelming the text content.

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Address the text-logo relationship by selecting your logo and accessing the Properties Panel. In the Text Wrap section, click the "Wrap Around Object" option. This setting forces your text to flow naturally around the logo rather than disappearing behind it. Fine-tune the relationship by increasing the offset values—with all four sides linked, use the up arrow to expand the invisible boundary around your logo. This additional padding creates professional breathing room between design elements and ensures your text remains highly readable.

Step back and evaluate your work by zooming out to see the complete postcard structure. You should see a well-balanced composition with clear delineation between messaging and mailing areas, proper stamp placement, and harmonious text flow around your branding elements. Save your progress with Ctrl+S to preserve these foundational elements.

In our next tutorial, we'll add the finishing touches that will elevate your postcard design, including address lines and additional postal formatting details that ensure both professional appearance and mailing compliance. See you there!