"How many stamps do I put on my letter / postcard?"

One of the most useful tools that I use when I write a letter or mail a postcard is the USPS Postage Price Calculator. Using this website, you can calculate the cost of postage for a package or a letter destined to be sent anywhere in the world!

Determining the number of postage stamps for postcards is easy:

Your standard post card:

Maximum size: "6 inches long by 4-1/4 inches high by .016 inch thick."

Your standard post-card will simply cost $0.28. In other words, slap one stamp on and you're good to go!

Larger postcards:
NOTICE: Not all postcards are made alike! Larger postcards do cost more to send than the standard 6 inch card.

"Maximum size: 11-1/2 inches long by 6-1/8 inches high by 1/4 inch thick."

Your larger postcards will run you a bit more money: $0.44. Apply the correct amount of postage and off it goes!

The only catch for a letter is that you need to know how much your letter weighs.

Fortunately, there are also fairly good ways of estimating the weight of a letter.

A standard piece of 8.5" X 11" paper weighs about .16 ounces.

Envelopes are a bit more tricky to estimate because there are so many different sizes. In general, if I'm sending a normal letter or greeting card I simply take for granted that it weighs about the same as two standard 8.5" X 11" pieces of paper.

In the end, all of this information is likely only useful for significantly larger and/or heavier mail. Your standard greeting card or letter simply requires a single stamp to get wherever it is headed in the United States.

Go Green: Create your own postcards out of photos!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words--and stamps aren't getting any cheaper if you actually have a 1000 word letter to mail; consider converting an old photograph from a scrapbook, or a recent family photo into a unique and personal postcard. They are just the right size for the project, and it's very simple to accomplish:

1. Flip over the photograph that you'd like to use, and draw a straight line down the back of the photo (slightly to the right of the middle so that you have plenty of room for your personal greeting).

2. Address your postcard on the right, and stick a stamp in the upper right-hand corner as if you are sending a normal postcard that you might purchase at a convenience store.

3. Compose your short greeting on the left hand side and drop it in a mailbox--it's that simple!

Friends and family will love the creative aspect, and you'll save a bit of money in the process!

Now that you've saved some money making your own postcards, be sure to keep a look out for equally fun and creative custom postage stamps from our online store! Check out our current stamp selection here: Saving Snail Mail's customizable postage stamps

Go Green! How to: Fold a letter into a mailable origami envelope.

These days everyone is looking for another way to "go green" and save the planet.  Here's a useful way to save some paper--or a quick fix in the event that you do not have an envelope and you need to send a letter!

Did you know that the post office will mail your letter if you simply fold it into an origami envelope?  In 5 simple steps you can impress your friends with an environmentally friendly letter:

NOTE: The paper used in this tutorial has a pattern on the back.  To ensure that your letter's contents to not end up on the outside of your origami envelope, begin folding with your letter face up, as if you are reading it. From experience, square paper generally works just as well as rectangular.  

1. Turn your letter on its side, and fold in both upper corners until they meet.  Try to be as accurate as possible here, so that you create a perfect point at the top as shown in the image to the left.

2. Fold the bottom edge of the paper up to the edge of the previous fold. 


3. Complete the previous fold once more, folding the bottom up to the edge of the first fold (essentially folding your last fold in half).

4. Fold both sides in until they meet in the middle.  Your letter will take on the definite shape of an envelope at this point.

5. Fold down the flap and seal the spot where all three folds meet with a small piece of tape or a sticker.

6. Don't forget to stamp and address your letter before you drop it in the mailbox!  And be sure to pick up some fun and original postage stamps for your origami letters at our online store!

How to say hello.

Our first blog update begins on the homepage of our online store!  If you didn't navigate here from there, please visit Saving Snail Mail in order to read the beginning of this post on our storefront!

...Rather, I think most of our grandparents are shaking their fists at us from their high place in the clouds: We shamelessly hold the belief that we can conduct a real conversation by clicking buttons on a cell phone while simultaneously standing in line at Starbucks and ordering the usual "grande, sugar-free, non-fat, vanilla soy, double shot, decaf, no foam, extra hot, Peppermint White Chocolate Mocha with light whip and extra syrup…"

It seems to me that the most intimate and meaningful conversations involve sitting down and giving someone the time of day.  Efficient isn't very affectionate or deeply appreciated.  on the other hand, a simple written note can make someone's week.

Here's a quick look at some of our most recent additions to our online store: