GB2257393A

GB2257393A - Postcard

Info

Publication number: GB2257393A
Application number: GB9114814A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edna Moore
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1991-07-09
Filing date: 1991-07-09
Publication date: 1993-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2011-07-09
Also published as: GB2257393B; GB9114814D0

Abstract

A postcard comprises a photograph 9 and a label 1 adhered to its reverse face 8. The label 1 has a front face 3 which can be written on and which has spaces for a message and an address, and a reverse face carrying an adhesive. Prior to use the label has a peelable backing paper 7. <IMAGE>

Description

POSTCARD The present invention relates to postcards.

Typically a postcard comprises a card having a picture on one side, the front side, and spaces on the reverse side for an address and a message.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a postcard comprising a photograph having a label adhered to the reverse face of the photograph, the label having a surface which can be readily written on and having a space or spaces for an address and/or a message to be written.

Most photographic paper cannot be written on easily with ink or pencil due to the surface of the paper. By providing a label on the reverse face to the picture, a photograph can be written on and sent through the post as a postcard or otherwise sent or given as a greetings card.

A second aspect of the invention provides a self-adhesive label, the front face of the label having a writeable surface, a space being provided on the surface for a message and/or address to be written, and the reverse face of the label carrying an adhesive, suitable for adhering the label to a reverse face of a photograph.

Preferably the self-adhesive label has a peel able backing paper covering the adhesive. Very preferably, instructions are provided on the backing paper to instruct a user how to use the label.

The British Post Office has a preferred weight of paper for items such as postcards to be sent through the post, presently 230gsm. Very preferably the label is sized to cover substantially the reverse face of a photograph, and is of a weight sufficient to bring the combination of photograph and label to 230gsm, or more.

Very preferably, the weight of the label is about 80gsm or heavier.

Preferably, the front face of the label is arranged in two areas, a first area for receiving an address and postage stamp, and a second area for writing a message.

Preferably, the label is adapted to fit a particular size photograph, such as 151mm x tOlmm (6 inches x 4 inches), and is slightly smaller than the photograph to facilitate adhering the label without overlapping the edge of the photograph. Preferably, the label size allows for a clearance of about 2mm between the edges of the label and the edges of the photograph.

Preferably, the material of the label is resistant to creasing, smudging when written on, and has some water resistance.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides a photograph for use as a postcard.

Other preferred features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and accompanying claims.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a front face of a label forming an embodiment of the invention, and Figures 2a to 2d are diagrams illustrating a series of steps showing how the embodiment of figure 1 is used to produce a postcard in accordance with the invention.

Figure 1 shows a rectangular label 1 formed from a durable material having a front face 3 and a reverse face 5. The label 1 measures just less than one of the standard sizes of photographic print, for example, 97mm x 147mm for affixing to a 101mm x 151mm (6 x 4 inch) photograph.

The front face 3 of the label 1 is printed with a design similar to that printed on the reverse of conventional picture postcards. A vertical line divides the front face into an area 3a in which a message can be written, and an area 3b for writing an address.

The surface of the front face 3 is provided with a writable finish, that is one which can be readily written on with pencil or ink, such as a ball-pen, felt tip pen or fountain pen.

The rear face 5 of the label 1 is coated with an adhesive and covered with a peel able crack-back backing paper 7, and the weight of the label (after removal of the backing paper) is about 80gsm.

Figures 2a to 2d show a series of steps taken by the user of the label 1 to affix the label 1 to the reverse side of a standard sized (6x4 inch) photograph 9 to produce a postcard in accordance with the invention. It will be appreciated that the photograph is a photographic print made on photographic paper.

The backing paper 7 is divided by crack lines 10.

The label is flexed to split the backing paper along one of the crack lines 10 to lift the edges of adjacent parts 7a, 7b, and the part 7a is first peeled from the rear face 5 of the label 1, as shown in figures 2a and 2b. The label is then aligned with the reverse face 8 of a photograph (that is the back of the photograph) and exposed area of the rear face 5 is then pressed on to the reverse face 8 of the photograph 9. The remaining part 7b of the backing paper 7 is then peeled away from the label 1 in a sweeping motion across the photograph 9 so that the label in smoothly affixed as shown in figures 2c and 2d.

Adhering the label to the photograph reduces the tendency of the photograph to curl.

The material of the label 1 is also chosen so that the weight of a label plus the weight of a standard sized photographic print to which it is designed to be affixed amounts to approximately 230gsm, the minimum weight recommended by the Royal Mail.

The exposed face of the backing paper 7 may carry instructions to show how the label is to be affixed to the photograph. Perferably the instructions are in picture form, as seen in Figs. 2a to 2d.

Preferably the labels are provided in packs of several labels, for example 5 or 10, and the pack may be in the form of a wallet having a pocket for postage stamps and/or photographs.

Various modifications may be made to the embodiments described and it is intended to include all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the accompanying claims. For example the label may be pre-printed with information such as a new address or details of a celebration.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A postcard comprising a photograph having a label adhered to the reverse face of the photograph, the label having a surface which can be readily written on and having a space or spaces for an address and/or a message to be written.

2. A self-adhesive label for forming a postcard as defined in claim 1, the front face of the label having a writeable surface, a space being provided on the surface for a message and/or address to be written, and the reverse face of the label carrying an adhesive suitable for adhering the label to a reverse face of a photograph.

3. A label as claimed in claim 2, wherein the adhesive is covered with a peel able backing paper.

4. A label as claimed in claim 2, wherein the label is a crack-back label.

5. A label as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein instructions for use of the label are printed on the backing paper.

6. A label as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, which is at least 80gsm in weight.

7. A label as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the label is slightly smaller in size than a photograph to which the label is intended to be adhered.

8. A label as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the front face of the label is arranged in two areas, a first area for receiving an address and postage stamp, and a second area for writing a message.

9. A label as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the label is adapted to fit a particular size photograph, such as 151mm x 101mm (6 inches x 4 inches), and slightly smaller than the photograph to facilitate adhering the label without overlapping the edge of the photograph.

10. A label as claimed in claim 9, wherein the label size allows for a clearance of about 2mm between the edge of the label and the edges of the photograph.

11. A label as claimed in any one of the preceeding claims, wherein the material of the label is resistant to creasing, smudging when written on, and has some water resistance.

12. A photograph for use as a postcard.

13. A photograph having a picture on its front face and a writable surface on the reverse.

14. A postcard substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

15. A label substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.