At first glance, postcards seem like a simple thing. A small piece of paper, a picture on the front, a few handwritten lines on the back. But if you enjoy sending postcards through Postcrossing, swapping mail with penpals, or simply collecting them, finding good postcards online is not always as easy as it sounds.
Many shops sell tourist postcards. Fewer places offer postcards designed for people who actually send and collect them.
Over the years I’ve noticed that the best places to buy postcards online usually fall into a few different categories. So, where can you buy postcards online today?
1. Independent postcard shops
Small independent postcard shops are often the best place to discover unusual designs.
Many of them work with illustrators, photographers, or small creative collections that grow slowly over time. Because of that, the postcards often feel more personal than typical mass-produced tourist cards.
Independent shops also tend to understand what postcard senders actually need. Paper quality matters. The size should work for international mail. And the designs should travel well across different cultures.
In my own shop, for example, most postcards are created with Postcrossing in mind and tested by real postcard senders.
2. Shops focused on Postcrossing and snail mail
Some online shops are built specifically around the Postcrossing community and people who enjoy sending real mail. These shops usually offer postcards with themes that are known to work well in postcard exchanges.
Common examples include:
- animals
- nature
- cozy illustrations
- books and reading
- seasonal designs
Because these themes match many Postcrossing profiles, they are easier to send and usually appreciated by receivers.
If you regularly send postcards around the world, these kinds of collections make life much easier.
3. Artist and illustrator postcard collections
Another interesting place to buy postcards online is shops that collaborate with individual artists or illustrators. Instead of random standalone designs, these shops sometimes develop postcard series that grow slowly over time.
Some collectors enjoy following these series and sending different cards from the same illustrated world or character.
Animal characters, travel-inspired illustrations, or cozy everyday scenes often become small collectible postcard universes that keep expanding year after year.
4. Photography postcards
While illustrated postcards are extremely popular, many postcard senders also enjoy photography postcards.
Nature photography, birds, wildlife and landscapes often work well in international postcard exchanges because they feel neutral and widely appreciated.
Photography postcards can also become part of themed collections. Some postcard enthusiasts focus entirely on birds, national parks, wildlife, or landscapes from different countries.
5. Choosing postcards that travel well
If you’re buying postcards for Postcrossing, a few themes tend to work well across different cultures.
These are often safe choices when a profile is short or when you simply want to send something most people will enjoy.
Common examples include:
- animals
- birds
- nature scenes
- simple illustrations
- seasonal postcards
These kinds of postcards are easy to send and rarely feel out of place.
Why postcards are still special
In a world of instant messages and emails, postcards remain one of the simplest ways to send a small piece of your world to someone else.
They travel slowly, sometimes across continents, carrying a few handwritten lines and a picture chosen by a real person.
Maybe that’s exactly why people still love them.
Because every postcard is a tiny, tangible reminder that someone, somewhere, took a moment to write and send something real.
Related collections
If you’re just starting with Postcrossing, you can also explore my Postcrossing Starter Guide.
You may also like:
How many postcards do you really need for Postcrossing?
Why I’m Slowly Shifting from Single Postcards to Thoughtful Collections
The Window Diaries with Marluki: cozy postcard series
If you like the most popular postcard series, you’ll love this one too!
