World Postcard Day postcard gallery
Every year, a postcard is chosen to illustrate that year’s World Postcard Day theme. Each year’s postcard design is made available for free, so that anyone can print and send it. These postcards (and countless others!) make their way across the world on October 1st, creating a wave of postal joy that celebrates World Postcard Day.
2026 - Paper Bridges
Every postcard begins as a small piece of paper… but once it is written, stamped, and sent, it becomes something much larger: a bridge between two people.
Paper Bridges, the 2026’s World Postcard Day theme, “Paper Bridges”, celebrates that metamorphosis of a paper object into a special form of connection that bridges the space between sender and recipient.
This design by Oce plays with this idea through folded-paper shapes, bold lettering, and bridge-like forms woven into the typography. It is a playful reminder that postcards do more than carry messages: they help bring us together.
Download the artwork, print a few cards, and send your own paper bridges on October 1st!
⬇️ Download postcard ⬇️
2025 - Wish you were here
“Wish you were here” is the classic phrase that travels on postcards, and it is 2025’s World Postcard Day theme as well. With just four words, it captures everything a postcard is about: the moment you pause, look around, and think of someone far away with whom you would love to share the view or the adventure you’re having.
The artwork by Uran Duo celebrates that instant of connection, inviting you to pick up a card, jot down a few lines, and bridge the distance between “here” and “there” in one of the nicest ways possible: with paper and postage.
2024 - The timeless magic of the post
The 2024 World Postcard Day design embraces the theme “The Timeless Magic of the Post” to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union (UPU). Founded in 1874, the UPU has played a crucial role in connecting people across the globe by fostering international cooperation between postal services and creating a unified postal network.
Rose’s vibrant and whimsical interpretation of the theme features a flurry of postcards, stamps, and letters that seem to dance and float in the air, as if caught in a joyful whirlwind. It’s a delightful celebration of the enduring magic of the postal system, honoring the UPU’s 150-year history of bringing the world together, one postcard at a time.
2023 - Postal hugs
Lisa Saputra, Indonesia
"Once in a blue moon, the two long lost friends meet and hug each other. Their hundreds of letters and postcards roamed the oceans before they finally met. Now they can say, “till we meet again, my dear friend!”
2022 - World peace
Pauline Chrétien, France
"Postcards can deliver a little bit of hope and kindness to people who need it, and to show our support to every victim of conflict on earth. That is why I chose to represent world peace through postcards, delivered by doves, this bird that symbolizes peace around the world."
2021 - Across the world on a postcard
Shao-hua Wu, Taiwan
"Postcard with the exotic scenery delivered to every postcrosser. Made our mind travel to different places on postcards. Bring the local daily and special memory to people’s normal day."
2020 - Postcard revolution
Leandro Ferreira, Portugal
