Do you send postcards? I always try to send one to my parents when I travel – they love receiving them and it’s great going through the stash of cards that I’ve sent them over the years – the message on the back can bring back memories that the picture on the front doesn’t always trigger…
But sending a postcard can sometimes be a hassle. It’s generally not a problem buying the card but finding a stamp and then locating a post-box can be a bit of a pain. I’ve sent postcards that have arrived after I’ve returned to the UK and left again on my next trip or they’ve never arrived at all – where do those lost postcards go?
So, when I discovered a nifty little app for i-phone, called By Post, where you can design a postcard on your i-phone, using your own photo, and send it anywhere in the world for just 99p – all within a couple of minutes – I had to give it a go. Here’s how it works…
Download the app to your phone (the app itself is free) and start creating your bespoke postcard.
Step 1 – Either take a photo or use one from your camera roll
Here’s the shot I chose which I’d taken on my phone – bit pleased with this one!
Step 2 – Add your message and the address which you can choose from your contact list or add manually.
Step 3 – Pay. The cost is 99p per card to anywhere in the world – pretty good value when a first class stamp in the UK is currently 60p. Paypal or credit card can be used or you can add credit to your account on-line.
Step 4 – Press Send. It really is that easy.
I sent my first postcard from Turkey which was delivered within 48 hours – the first time a postcard has arrived before me! The card was great quality; good depth of colour and not at all flimsy. Here’s the result – not the best photo as it was taken on the fly and I wasn’t thinking of a blog post at the time. What do you think?
BTW no incentive was received for this post – I just love this cool little app. Simples!
If you’re look for cool postcards to print off check out these printable postcards for kids.
aBitofCulture
Monday 4th of November 2013
Do you still use this app, TB? I promised my Grandma I'd send her a postcard from Bruges at the weekend, but the app crashed every time I got past the select a photo stage. It won't work now I'm home either, so she'll have to have a postcard of Birmingham instead!
Suzanne Courtney
Monday 4th of November 2013
I used it about a month ago and it worked fine. This is from their T&Cs "When a period of 12 months has passed with no orders placed we will assume that your account is no longer active and the Credit balance will expire" so you shouldn't leave it too long. Have a look at their website http://www.bypost.com
The Travel Project
Thursday 3rd of January 2013
Love this idea! I'm a great fan of postcards but lazy at printing my own photos. Win win situation. Thanks for sharing.
The Travelbunny
Thursday 3rd of January 2013
Thanks - this was so easy to use and arrived in the UK within a couple of days of posting in Turkey :)
Madhu
Monday 29th of October 2012
Sounds cool! And the Cappadoccia photo is awesome too!
Travelbunny
Monday 29th of October 2012
Loved Cappadoccia and the hotel you recommended - thank you, it was perfect :)
autumninbruges
Friday 12th of October 2012
Something funny just happened, I just got a postcard with my dog on it that I sent as a trial one (with a silly msg written on it), BUT I didn't have any credit in my account plus it didn't give me any sending confirmation...... This is weird. And what is worse is that I don't remember if I sent anything else, hope not cos I don't remember what I wrote eventually, LOL
Travelbunny
Saturday 13th of October 2012
I wonder if you'll get an more! They don't take long to arrive do they. Have a lovely weekend :)
megtraveling
Wednesday 10th of October 2012
I like the idea of using my own photo for the postcard! And your postcard picture is great :)
Travelbunny
Wednesday 10th of October 2012
Thanks Meg - I really like this app. I'll be using it a lot!