Creative Templates

Poplar offers five mail formats: Bi-folds (long and short), Tri-fold, three different sized Postcards, and Letters available in Black & White or Color.

Template Downloads

The .zip files below contain InDesign, Illustrator, HTML, PDF, and PNG/JPG templates. The templates are pre-formatted to include 0.125in bleed (except for letters) on all four sides along with trim, safe zone, and address block indicators.

Our address block is applied to the creative after uploading so please remove the placeholder beforehand.

Designers ✨ For additional guidance on export instructions, print best practices, and troubleshooting please review our Creative Guides section!

Postcards

3MB

4 x 6 Postcard.zip

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3MB

6 x 9 Postcard.zip

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3MB

6 x 11 Postcard.zip

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Bi-folds & Tri-fold

The majority of Bi-fold and Tri-folds will be folded and held together with a tabbed clasp by default. However, when mailing high volume batches adhesive may be used to optimize production time.

5MB

Bi-fold Long 8.5 x 11.zip

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5MB

Bi-fold Short 17 x 5.5.zip

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2MB

Tri-fold.zip

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Letter

Our letter format is an excellent option if you'd like to target recipients with a longer or move private message. They're also preferable when mailing to commercial addresses, as other formats could be subject to a lower delivery rate if the commercial address is not accepting promotional mail.

839KB

8.5 x 11 Single Page Letter.zip

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855KB

8.5 x 11 Multi-page Letter.zip

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Template Specs

Static template files should be used for creative designs that do not utilize personalization or variable content:

• Adobe InDesign

• Adobe Illustrator

• PDF/X-4 or PDF/X1-a

• PNG/JPG

For guidance on exporting and print best practices, please see our Static: PDF & PNG/JGP Guide.

Dynamic HTML template files must be used for creative designs that utilize personalization or variable content such as first name, rolling expiration date, unique promo code, etc. If no one on your team has sufficient knowledge of HTML /CSS, our team is happy to help! Just follow the instructions on this form to submit your design to be translated into HTML:

Creative Translation Request Submissionheypoplar.com

For guidance on coding, merge tags and print best practices, please see our Dynamic: HTML/CSS Guide.

Dimensions, Bleed & Safe Zone

Postcards, Bi-folds & Tri-folds are always printed at larger dimensions, then trimmed down to final size to ensure no gaps or unprinted areas appear on the final product. Before uploading to the platform, your files must include a 0.125" bleed on all four sides.

Bi-folds are available in two different formats, Short 17 x 5.5 (folds left to right) and Long 8.5 x 11 (folds top to bottom), each panel on both formats are the same size - just folded in a different direction. Both templates are pre-formatted to include a 0.125" at each edge.

Letters are printed straight on to 8.5 x 11 standard print paper and do NOT need a bleed, as they are not trimmed down after print.

A Safe Zone is also specified to prevent any text or important copy from running too close to the edge of the mail piece. Mail pieces should always be designed edge-to-edge (no white bleed) at and contain high-resolution images at 300ppi/dpi for best possible print quality.

Example If you're designing a 4" x 6" postcard, add an extra 0.125" to all four sides to bring the total file dimensions to 4.25" x 6.25". The safe zone should be inset from the 4"x 6" trim by 0.125" on all four sides so all text, logos, terms & conditions, etc. should appear within 3.75" x 5.75".

Postcard Dimensions at Upload	After Trim	Safe Zone
4.25" x 6.25" or 1275 x 1875px	4" x 6"	3.75" x 5.75"
6.25" x 9.25" or 1875 x 2775px	6" x 9"	5.75" x 8.75"
6.25" x 11.25" or 1875 x 3375px	6" x 11"	5.75" x 10.75"

Bi-fold Dimensions at Upload	After Trim	Safe Zone
17.25" x 5.75" or 5175 x 1725px	17" x 5.5"	16.75" x 5.25"
8.75" x 11.25" or 2625 x 3375px	8.5" x 11"	8.25" x 10.75"

Tri-fold Dimensions at Upload	After Trim	Safe Zone
16.625" x 8.75" or 4988 x 2625px	16.375" x 8.5"	16.75" x 5.25"

Our address block is auto-applied during upload to the platform, please delete the placeholder before upload and DO NOT include a white block in your back artwork. We take care of that for you.

Address Block

The highlighted orange address block placeholder in the template files indicate where the platform will auto-apply the address block upon upload. It is very important to delete this placeholder entirely - do not leave a white box in its place. For best results, provide creative with background or design that runs fully behind this block.

Make sure to never place critical text in this area, as the address block will be layered on top prior to printing the piece. The printed color of the address block is white/paper color with text and postage indicia rendered in black - this area is not customizable.

The address block is not consistently proportionate across postcard formats, so it is very important to follow the template for the corresponding postcard size.

Example The address block for the 4x6 postcard takes up significantly more space on the back than it does on a 6x9 postcard, so if you're sizing down a design the back will have to be redesigned.