Where to Buy Postcards Near Me & Online (15+ Best Places for 2025)

And in this guide I’ll show you where to go to find exactly what you’re looking for, no matter your budget or style of postcard you need for any occasion.

What Actually Counts as a Postcard?

Now, before we get to the list of shops and sites where you can buy postcards locally and on the internet, let me give you a quick reminder.

Please check to make sure what you are buying actually counts as a postcard by USPS.

I checked the official USPS Postal Explorer guidelines.

Here’s a quick but important tip from the United States Postal Service (USPS).

If you want to qualify for the cheaper postcard stamp rate, make sure your card is the specific size USPS requires.

If your postcard is too big or too small, you’ll have to pay the full price for a First-Class letter stamp!

According to the USPS, a standard postcard has to be:

• Rectangular
• At least 3 ½ inches high x 5 inches long
• No more than 4 ¼ inches high x 6 inches long
• Between 0.007 and 0.016 inches thick (about the thickness of an index card)

Now, most of the time, when you buy postcards from postcard vendors nearby or online, they will be the standard size.

But, if you don’t want to waste time and money, take a few seconds to make sure what you are buying meets the size requirements.

This is especially true if you are buying from one of those cool specialty shops where they may sell unique, oversized cards.

My Top  Picks

Based on my experience, here are my honest top picks for places to buy postcards:

• 🏆 For the Best Overall Selection: Amazon. Hands down, they have the biggest variety, from bulk blank cards to unique artistic sets, all in one place.
• 🏃 When You Need One Right Now (Near You): CVS or Walgreens. Almost every town has one, and they almost always have a small rack of postcards for different occasions.
• 🎨 For Unique & Artistic Cards: Etsy. If you want a postcard that’s a small piece of art from an independent creator, Etsy is the place to go.
• 💲 For the Absolute Cheapest Bulk Buys: Office Depot/OfficeMax. When you need to buy a big pack of blank, mail-ready postcards for your business, this is the most reliable and affordable option.

Best Places to Buy Postcards for Convenience

You’re on vacation or you just remembered an anniversary (as a man, I think this happens more to us men than the ladies, lol), and you need a postcard right now.

Obviously, you can order online and wait for it to ship.

For those last-minute postcard purchases near you, these are the most reliable brick-and-mortar places you can almost always count on to have a rack of postcards waiting for you.

CVS & Walgreens

Both CVS and Walgreens have over 9000 stores throughout the USA, so there’s probably a CVS or Walgreens within a few miles of you (if not closer) right now.

You can usually find postcards in the greeting cards or stationery aisle of both CVS and Walgreens.

I have a CVS and a Walgreens within 2 minutes of me and both are actually in the same plaza. Every time I need a postcard, I check them first since they usually have everything from local city views for tourists to simple thank you cards and holiday themes.

The selection isn’t huge, but for last-minute postcard shopping, they are great.

The best part is that many CVS and Walgreens stores are open 24 hours a day. So if you are wondering, “Are there 24-hour postcard stores near me?” because you remembered you need a card, at 3 am, check your nearest Walgreens or CVS store.

USPS (The Post Office)

This one is a no-brainer, but a lot of people forget about it.

Your local Post Office doesn’t just sell stamps; they sell postcards too.

The cool thing is that you can buy pre-stamped postcards, which saves you a step and a little money.

In my opinion (and experience), the post office is the most efficient place to go if you want to buy your card, write it, and mail it all in one stop.

With over 31,000 locations in the country, you won’t have trouble finding a post office near you.

And if it’s a bit far for you to drive to or you just want to buy online, USPS sells postcards online as well.

Airports & Gas Stations

I am the last person to suggest buying something at an airport. We all know you pay way more for the same things that you can get at the gas station next to the airport.

So why would I recommend airports as places to buy postcards?

Because if you are traveling, those are usually the best places to get tourist-themed postcards.

Also, sometimes you have no choice!

If you’re traveling, check out the gift shops inside airports for all kinds of cool looking postcards.

Same for gas stations and truck stops. Most of them have that spinning rack thingy full of postcards featuring local attractions and state-themed designs.

They might cost a buck or two more, but you can’t beat the convenience when you’re already on the road.

Best Places to Buy Postcards for Price & Bulk Buys

If you’re one of those people who like to buy postcards in bulk, you will spend way more than you have to if you buy from the above mentioned stores.

Buying in bulk obviously saves you money.

So whether you need a whole stack of postcards for your business, a wedding, or a big project, or you just like having them handy just in case, these are the places to go when you need to buy in bulk without breaking the bank.

Walmart

With nearly 5,000 stores, most of us have a Walmart nearby.

And we all know Walmart usually has the best prices on most stuff and that includes postcards in bulk.

You can find multi-packs of postcards in their stationery and party supply aisles for much cheaper than buying them one at a time.

They have a good mix of designs, from motivational quotes to packs of assorted animal or travel photos.

Office Depot / OfficeMax

When you need blank, ready-to-mail postcards for your business, Office Depot or OfficeMax is my top recommendation.

They are the experts in this. You can buy packs of 100 or more plain, sturdy cardstock postcards that meet all the USPS requirements.

If your goal is to print your own marketing materials or custom invitations, this is the most reliable and cost-effective place to start.

They sell blank postcards, happy birthday postcards, welcome to kindergarten postcards, readymade postcards, and a variety of other postcards online and in-store.

Amazon

We can’t not mention Amazon!

Regardless of how you feel about Amazon as a company, it is still one of the best places to buy stuff individually and in bulk for the lowest price possible.

Not to mention the selection!

So if your goal is to save money and have access to the absolute biggest selection for bulk postcard buys, Amazon is a no brainer.

You can find massive 100-packs of themed postcards (from vintage art to national parks) for just a few dollars.

The price per card is almost always the lowest you’ll find anywhere (sometimes a few cents per card).

The only catch is you have to wait for shipping, but if you have a Prime account, that’s usually not a long wait.

Best Places for Unique & Artistic Designs

If you are anything like me, you are almost always looking beyond the generic cards.

When I buy postcards, I am usually looking for a postcard that’s basically a small piece of art. Something with a unique design, a funny quote, or a beautiful illustration.

And if you are looking for those kinds of cards, these are the places to look.

Barnes & Noble

We all know Barnes & Noble as one of the biggest bookstores (well, that’s before Amazon kind of took over!)

But, they also sell other stuff, including postcards.

Now, while some Barnes & Nobel stores do sell single postcards, I love their postcard sets.

I am talking about those really awesome looking and beautifully packaged collections that feature art from Disney, Marvel, or a classic book series.

These are perfect if you want a whole set of themed cards to send out over time.

Etsy

While today’s Etsy is far from what it used to be (full of automated junk), there are still artists who make and sell actual handmade stuff.

So if you need a truly one-of-a-kind postcard that you can’t find anywhere else, give Etsy a try.

You can find thousands of unique, handmade, and beautifully designed postcards from independent creators all over the world.

Whether you’re looking for a specific style, a witty pop-culture reference, or a gorgeous illustration, you’ll find something on Etsy that you definitely won’t find at Walmart.

And the best part is that not only you get a cool card, but you are also supporting a small artist.

Target

Honestly, Target has a surprisingly great selection of stylish and modern stationery, including postcards.

They usually carry curated packs of cards that are a step up in design from what you’d find at a typical drugstore.

Look for their “pep talk” postcard sets, modern thank you cards, and fun NASA-themed designs. They are really cool!

Obviously, you can either buy online at Target.com or from your local Target store. I personally go to the store since I like browsing and touching the physical cards. It’s an experience, lol.

Museum & Local Gift Shops

This is my favorite “insider” tip for finding the absolute best postcards.

The gift shop at your local art museums, science center, or even a quirky local boutique will almost always have a curated selection of stunning, artistic postcards.

They’re great places to find high-quality cards. Sometimes they have famous paintings on them, sometimes a unique local art, or even cool scientific illustrations. But whatever it is, usually you can not find those same designs anywhere else.

Best Places for Classic Tourist Postcards

If you’re on vacation and want to send that classic “Wish you were here!” postcard with a picture of a famous landmark on it, don’t overthink it.

The old-school, obvious options are still the best and most reliable places to find exactly what you’re looking for.

Souvenir Shops

I don’t know about you, but when I’m on vacation, the first kinds of stores I check are those souvenir or gift shop stores, especially those small, independently owned stores.

But no matter which store you go to, any dedicated souvenir or gift shop in a tourist area will have a massive spinning rack of glossy postcards.

You’ll find every landmark, famous beach, and cheesy local joke imaginable.

Hotel Gift Shops

Yeah, I know. They are way too expensive. But if you are looking for those classic tourist cards, those small hotel gift shops in the lobby could surprise you.

And if you need

I know most people don’t do this these days, but if you are one of those people who like to still mail a postcard back home, it won’t hurt to check your hotel’s gift shop. You may find a cad that speaks to you!

Directly at the Tourist Attraction

Want a postcard of the Grand Canyon?

The best place to buy one is at the Grand Canyon gift shop.

Visiting a famous museum, a zoo, or a national park?

Go straight to their gift shop. They will always have the best, highest-quality postcards that feature their own exhibits and landmarks.

Even some of those rest stops along the highway (where they also act as tourist information centers)  have really awesome cards you may not be able to find anywhere else.

Final Thoughts: Finding the Perfect Postcard

I know these days most people just send texts, emails or post on social media, but sending a physical postcard to someone is really a small but thoughtful way of letting them know you are thinking of them.

And as we have seen, finding the perfect card for the best price is easy once you know where to look.

The real secret isn’t just knowing a long list of stores; it’s knowing which one to visit for what you need.

So whether that’s grabbing a classic tourist card from an airport souvenir shop, finding a beautiful and unique design at Barnes & Noble or a local museum, or just stocking up on a big pack of cheap, blank cards from Amazon for your thank-you notes, there’s always a perfect place to go.

So next time you want to send a little piece of mail to make someone’s day, you’ll know exactly where to go to buy the best postcard near you or online.