As an avid postcrosser since 2016, I’ve been lucky enough to receive over 800 postcards from around the world. There’s something magical about finding a new postcard in the mailbox from a stranger in a faraway place. The Global Postcrossing community has connected me with fellow enthusiasts who share this joy of surprise mail.
While active Postcrossing grows your collection quickly, it also presents the challenge of how to store and display these treasured postcards. Through trial and error with various methods over the years, I’ve discovered some creative solutions for organizing, cataloging, and showcasing my postcard collection. In this post, I’ll share everything I’ve learned as a seasoned postcrosser.
Organizing Your Growing Postcard Stash
As your collection expands, organization becomes key to keeping track of all your postcards. Here are some approaches I’ve used to tame the chaos:
Categorizing by Location
Sorting postcards by the country or city they were mailed from is a straightforward system. I use divider cards labeled with location names to separate these sections in storage boxes. This makes it easy to quickly find a postcard from a certain place.
Sorting by Sender
I also categorize postcards by sender usernames. This allows me to easily pull out all the cards I’ve received from a frequent postcrossing pal.
Themed Collections
Some postcrossers opt to sort cards into thematic collections like Beaches, Sunsets, or Vintage Cars. This takes more work upfront but makes it simple to pull out postcards to match a decorative theme.
Size Sorting
For display purposes, sorting by size can be useful. Group postcards into categories like Regular, Oversized, Panoramic, etc. This streamlines selecting appropriately sized cards for framed arrangements.
Digital Postcard Catalog
I highly recommend creating a digital catalog of your postcards to help keep things organized. An Excel spreadsheet allows tracking key details like sender name, date received, country, notes, and themes. This provides an easy reference point for your collection details.
DIY Postcard Storage Solutions
Carefully storing your postcard collection protects it from damage over time. Here are some DIY storage ideas I’ve used successfully:
Postcard Albums
Collecting albums designed for postcards allow you to neatly archive your collection in an organized fashion. Look for albums with acid-free pages to prevent deterioration. I love the American Crafts Postbound Albums – the binder format makes it easy to rearrange pages or add new ones.
Decorative Boxes
For a more decorative storage option, collectible tins or memory boxes can safely contain your postcard trove. Look for acid-free tissue paper to wrap delicate vintage postcards. I’ve found this set of hinged boxes perfect for separating my collection into categories or themes.
DIY Postcard Binders
With some binder rings, construction paper, and glue, you can create custom postcard binders. Use the binder rings to attach and reorder pages as needed to accommodate new acquisitions.
Framed Displays
Framing your favorite postcards, or arranging several in a collage frame, transforms them into art for your walls. Make sure to use acid-free backing and UV filtered glass to prevent fading.
Creative Ways to Showcase Your Collection
A carefully curated postcard display turns your mail treasures into décor. Here are some innovative ideas I’ve used to showcase my collection in style:
Postcard Walls
Covering a wall or bulletin board with postcards creates a visually striking statement piece. Use map pins or mounting putty to affix cards, rotating them out periodically for a changing exhibit. Postcard walls work especially well highlighting cards from a specific country or matching a color theme.
Postcard Mobiles
Suspending postcards from strings or wire with mini clothespins transforms them into airy mobiles. Paint clothespins to match your color scheme. Add dangling beads, feathers, or ribbons for a whimsical accent. Hang over a desk or bookcase so the postcards twist gracefully in the breeze.
Display Easels
Mini easels are perfect for highlighting individual postcards on shelves, side tables, or windowsills. These small stands prop up postcards elegantly. Search for acrylic easels which are nearly invisible, keeping the focus on your postcard.
Postcard Christmas Tree
For the holidays, attach beloved postcards to a small artificial tree with ornament hooks. Choose a tabletop size tree and select small postcards that won’t overwhelm delicate branches. Arrange them to highlight beautiful winter holiday scenes from around the world.
Postcard Advent Calendar
Craft a nostalgic advent calendar using twenty-four postcards glued to the front of a cardboard box or stacked art block. Affix number stickers to the bottom corner of corresponding date cards. Place a gift, ornament, or chocolate behind each postcard door for a delightfully different holiday countdown.
Digital Tools for Postcard Cataloging
A digital catalog provides vital searchable access to your postcard collection details. Here are some of my top software recommendations:
Microsoft Excel
Excel offers customizable spreadsheets perfect for postcard collection databases. Create columns for key details about each postcard like date, sender, location, description, and themes. Powerful sorting and filtering tools make it easy to analyze your collection. Charts and pivot tables offer insights on postcard statistics.
Google Sheets
For cloud-based convenience, Google Sheets provides free online spreadsheets accessible from any device. Build your postcard catalog using the same column fields as Excel. Share view-only access to your sheets catalog with other postcard collectors.
TapForms Database App
This user-friendly app creates mobile-ready databases for postcard collections. Scanning a QR code adds each postcard to the database with photos. Sort, tag and filter your collection with ease. Sync across devices via iCloud or Dropbox. Use offline for postcard cataloging anywhere.
Collectorz.com Software
Designed for collectors, this cataloging software has handy Postcards templates ready for custom fields. Barcode scanning captures card details fast. Online backup sync keeps your database up-to-date across all devices. Print neat inventory reports showcasing your postcards.
Postcard Manager App
Made specifically for postcrossers, this iOS app offers tools for organizing, tagging, rating, and searching your postcard collection. The map view displays pins where each postcard was mailed from. Digital notes record details and impressions about each card. Integrates with Postcrossing to track cards.
Connecting with the Postcrossing Community
The joy of Postcrossing comes from sharing postcards with others who appreciate the magic of surprise mail. Postcrossers have many ways to engage this global community online:
Social Media
Active Postcrossing groups on Facebook and Instagram allow members to share their latest card arrivals and make post pals. Seek out local Postcrossing groups to potentially arrange in-person meetups and exchanges.
Postcrossing Forum
The forum on Postcrossing.com connects members around specific discussion topics like postcard storage, displaying cards, and mailing tips. Experienced postcrossers offer advice to new members. Arrange private 1:1 exchanges via the forum PM system.
Postcard Blogs
An online journal of your postcrossing adventures lets you showcase favorite cards received. Link to your blog from your Postcrossing profile so others can follow along on your mailbox surprises. Discover new member blogs to admire their postcard shares.
Postcard Swaps
Arranging postcard swaps with other postcrossers expands your collection with cards tailored to your interests. Swaps work well around topics like cuisine postcards, UNESCO sites, botanical illustrations, or pet photos.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know my top tips for organizing, storing, and displaying growing postcard collections, I hope you feel inspired to start your own Postcrossing adventures. This incredible global community has brought me much joy, new friendships, and over 800 treasured postcards (and counting!). However you choose to store and showcase your beloved mail, the connections made with fellow postcrossers around the world are the real prize.