Postcards have gone a long way already. From the first printed postcards used in Austria at around 1969 to the state-of the-art postcards that we are having now, we can say that postcard printing industry has accommodated immense changes and growth.
The very first printed postcard was used to provide a chief means for brief communication. They were famous in Austria and because of its practicality, it was copied by the European countries including Great Britain. These printed postcards were just plain and unadorned. The message can be found on the other side while on the other half is the address of the recipient. It was only in 1902 that pictures was introduced to postcards. The early photographic cards were printed in Germany. This is because the latter was more advanced when it comes to photo-reproduction that the rest of the states.
With this innovation, printed postcards became more picturesque and comprehensive. They included different subjects like places, people, cartoons and fine arts. This change made printed postcards popular not only in Europe but in other continents as well. In addition, some of these postcards were made collectors items.
Since the inception of the Internet, e-postcards are slowly replacing the printed ones. Finding the right message and image is not that taxing when it comes to e-postcards. They Net displays a wide-variety of postcards from different occasions, places, people and other artsy stuffs. Sending them is not that burdensome anymore. You just click on the mouse and there it goes. You do not have to haggle with a postcard printing company. Another advantage is that e-postcards are cheaper. Sometimes you can even send it for free.
However, a great percentage is still in favor of the conventional printed postcards. They are saying that printed postcards make them feel special. Hand or mail delivered postcard is still more personal. This is because you can actually feel it, hold it, keep it, display it on your board or ref. You do not need electricity to send it on. Printed postcards also carry more personal designs and formats. They reflect the effort to show how special the recipient is to the sender.
Whether we like the classic or the modern way of sending postcards, the choice is ours to keep and enjoy!
