POSTCARD EXCHANGE FAQS

Here you'll find our FAQs for our Summer Postcard Exchange. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

How does it work?
When you sign up, we'll be in touch by email with all the details. You'll send in up to x5 postcards (ideally from your home town, or wherever you like) to us. You can do this in one go, or individually over the course of the summer. Please note - your signup fee does not cover the cost of you sending your postcards to us here, nor of the postcards themselves, so it's worth considering this before you send them in.

Do I need to send all five postcards?
Ideally yes, but if you'd like to send in less please let us know when you join. You'll receive the same amount of postcards back that you send in. We send the return postcards in one go, so if you send in x5, you'll receive x5 straight back. If you send them in over the course of the exchange, we'll wait till we've received your 5th postcard before we send any back to you.

Do I write the postcards before sending them?
Yes. Simply write your message as normal. If you're sending in all x5 at once, place them into an outer envelope and address the envelope to us. If you're sending them in individually, you can write our address in the address section of the postcard.

Will my address be shared with other participants?
No. London Letters forwards all postcards on your behalf, so participant addresses remain private.

Do I need to be a London Letters customer to join?
Not at all. Everyone is welcome to take part.

Can I join from overseas?
Yes. Everyone is welcome.

Is there an age limit for taking part?
No, everyone is welcome. If your child wishes to write, please help them to make their postcards legible. We will do our best to swap postcards from under 18's amongst themselves, but this is not guaranteed.

What does the sign-up fee cover?
The fee covers the cost of forwarding your postcards to other participants and administering the exchange.

Can I join after the exchange has started?
Yes. You can join at any time between 25 June and 20 August, as many times as you wish.

What if you don't receive my postcards or I don't receive any back?
Once postcards are sent, delivery is over to Royal Mail to manage and is out of our hands. We do not therefor guarantee the safe arrival of any mail, and some postcards may arrive long after the postcard exchange has finished.

Is there a deadline for sending my postcards in?
Yes. All postcards should be sent and received by 20 August. Postcards received after this date may not be included in the exchange.

What should I write on my postcards?
There are no strict rules. Most people write a short message about their day, where they live, something they love, or a small story. Please just make sure anything written is appropriate for all ages.

Are there any content guidelines?
Yes. We ask that all postcards remain respectful and suitable for a general audience. We reserve the right to exclude any postcards containing offensive, political, or inappropriate content.

What size postcards can I send?
Your postcards must be a standard 6x4 inch size. If you’re unsure, anything that can be posted with a standard stamp and fits comfortably in a C6 envelope is fine.

Do I need to use a specific type of postcard?
No - handmade, printed, illustrated, or purchased postcards are all welcome. Part of the fun is the variety.

Can I include extra items in my envelope?
Please don’t include additional items such as gifts, stickers, or bulky materials, as this affects the cost of forwarding on.

Do I need to pay for postage to send my postcards to you?
Yes. Participants are responsible for the cost of sending their postcards to us. The sign-up fee only covers administration and onward distribution.

Will I receive confirmation when you receive my postcards?
Due to volume this sadly isn't possible. Rest assured, all postcards are safely logged once received.

Can I update my address after signing up?
Yes, but please notify us as soon as possible. We can only guarantee correct forwarding if changes are received before your postcards are processed.

What happens if I lose my return postcards?
If return postcards are undelivered or lost in transit, we’re unable to replace them once they have been dispatched, as delivery is managed by Royal Mail.

What happens if I only send in part of my postcards?
We’ll hold your postcards until all agreed submissions are received (up to 5), then send your return set in one batch unless otherwise arranged.