Same live pricing as our main bulk postcards order form - options above are pre-filled when you continue.
Bid Deadlines on Matte Stock That Survives the Job Trailer
General contractor postcards reach property owners planning additions when inbox RFQs drown in lead-aggregator spam. The tall 4.25×11 16pt premium matte format holds vertical project photography, state license number, and consult line without glossy glare on bright job-site mornings.
Matte handles trailer clipboard storage and truck dash without fingerprint smear. Lead with niche if you have one - kitchen remodel, restaurant TI, ADU builder - plus free estimate offer and direct line. "General contractor" alone underperforms when competitor card names a specialty.
Mail aging housing stock ZIPs for remodel; light industrial separately for TI - mixed routes waste estimator time.
Front-panel hierarchy for planning-folder retention
Owners collecting bids keep mail that shows real work and clear license - not coupon aesthetics.
Niche headline: project type in first five words.
Project photo: yours - top 60% of front.
Estimate offer: scope hint - "kitchen and bath" not "everything."
License # and insured: bottom-left block, readable size.
Matte readable in bright trailer and kitchen lighting - gloss reflects and obscures phone digits.
Why 4.25×11 matte fits GC marketing
Tall format shows vertical remodel shots - stair openings, two-story additions, commercial build-outs - better than square social crops.
16pt premium matte survives job-site handling, mail sorting, and planning-folder clips without curling like thin gloss promo stock.
2500-count routes by project type
Target ZIPs with pre-1980 housing for remodel mail; light industrial parks separately for TI. Track signed contracts per route, not estimate tours alone.
Back panel: process in four bullets
Reduces "what happens next?" calls from serious owners still comparing three bids.
Estimate: on-site scope, written quote timeline.
Permit: who pulls, typical city timeline.
Build: duration range for your niche project type.
Warranty: workmanship term if offered.
Service area, offer terms, optional QR to portfolio - phone stays primary on front for owners ready to book this week.
Track estimate requests and signed contracts
GC-MAIL or ADU-MAIL code on intake - measure signed contracts within 60 days, not tire-kicker tours that never convert.
CRM source at estimate booking and again at contract sign. Scale ZIPs and architect partner stacks that produce signed jobs; pause routes that fill estimator calendar with price shoppers only.
One signed kitchen remodel often covers print cost of entire 500-piece drop.
More campaign planning tips (1)
Partner stacks with architects and reorder cadence
Leave cards where plans get picked up - permission-based only. Architect referral stacks outperform cold EDDM when plans already exist.
Reorder when backlog opens capacity - same grid, swap project photo and niche headline per season. Recognition when owner pulls last year's card from planning folder.
Proofing license, insurance, and project claims
Wrong license digit or mislabeled project photo destroys trust before estimator arrives.
License #: state database verified.
Project photo: yours with client permission - location honest.
Estimate terms: clear scope on offer - no bait-and-switch fine print.
Insurance: stated only if current and verifiable.
Design directions for general contractor mailers
Real jobsite photography, bold niche headline, license bottom-left at readable size. No clip-art hard hats or cartoon tools - owners hiring $80k remodels filter amateur marketing instantly.
QR to portfolio optional on back - phone dominant on front for owners ready to book estimate this week.
When GC postcards beat HomeAdvisor leads
Shared leads race on price - three contractors call same owner within an hour. Mail to owners already in planning folder builds direct relationship without middleman fee.
Postcard primes recognition when estimator arrives - "we got your card in March" beats cold door knock.
Tall project photo sells craftsmanship
4.25×11 shows vertical remodel shots better than square social crops - crown molding, full-height tile, commercial ceiling height visible in print.
Lock layout after first drop produces signed contracts. Swap photo and niche headline only - rebuild grid quarterly wastes design spend.
Start From a Postcard Template
4.25×11 GC templates allocate project hero top 65% and license block footer. Reuse grid for ADU, kitchen, and TI variants - change niche headline and photo, not structure.
General contractor postcard printing FAQs
How do general contractors use postcards for bid follow-ups?
A postcard keeps your company name, license cue, and project type in front of owners after a walkthrough. Lead with one specialty (kitchens, roofs, ADUs) and a direct estimator line. Print quantities that match your active bid list. Avoid cramming every trade on one face. Free Design Setup can clean estimating-export clutter into a mail-ready hierarchy.
What postcard size fits contractor before-and-after project photos?
Larger faces help before/after pairs stay readable; smaller cards suit simple "request a site visit" prompts. Use sturdy stock that survives jobsite truck dashboards and office mail piles. Keep addresses and license numbers in safe margins. Soft-launch a run to past clients, then reorder for a new farm of neighborhoods.
Should GC postcards list every trade and certification?
No. Pick the trades you want calls for this quarter. Dumping twenty certifications shrinks type and looks desperate. Put full credentials on the website behind a QR. Front: specialty + phone. Back: service area and license line. Clarity wins owner skim time.
Can I mail different contractor postcards to homeowners vs property managers?
Yes. Homeowner cards emphasize trust, timelines, and photo proof of finished work. Property-manager cards emphasize response time, after-hours contacts, and unit-turn speed. Keep brand colors consistent so both feel like the same company. Order separate quantities and name files clearly so packing does not mix the stacks when both versions ship to your office on the same day.
How many contractor postcards should I print per neighborhood blitz?
Match the door count you can follow up by phone within two weeks. Oversized dumps without call capacity waste money. Reorder street-by-street as crews free up. Enter mail timing needs if a vendor drops for you. Rush print helps when a storm creates sudden roof demand.
Do matte contractor postcards photograph better for before/after?
Matte reduces glare on jobsite photos under sun. Gloss can punch brand color but may flare in mailbox light. Choose based on your photo set. We proof contrast so phone numbers stay readable on top of images. Avoid busy backgrounds behind micro-type addresses.
Can Free Design Setup fix low-resolution phone photos on GC cards?
We flag soft images and can rebuild layout around stronger shots. If both photos are weak, we may recommend a typography-led card until you have better project photos. You approve the proof. Honest print quality protects your reputation more than stretching a blurry remodel shot.
What general contractors say about postcard runs
ADU-focused mail in two cities booked six feasibility consults - tall project photo cited on four intake calls as reason they kept the card. - - GC owner, San Jose, CA
Architect desk stacks outperformed lead aggregators - signed two TI jobs tracked with GC-ARCH source code at contract. - - Commercial GC, Chicago, IL
License block on front saved estimator time - owners said they kept card because we looked legit before ever calling. - - Remodeling contractor, Nashville, TN
Ready to Print?
Use live pricing on our bulk postcards page - upload your file or request free design setup before we run your job.
