Free Printable Vintage Postcard Backs: ATC-Sized Ephemera for Junk Journals
Quick Summary
A free printable collage sheet featuring authentic postcard backs from the early 1900s
ATC-sized (2.5” x 3.5”) for easy use in journals, scrapbooks, and collage art
Includes handwritten messages, vintage stamps, and postmarks for an authentic touch
Perfect for junk journals, artist trading cards, and mixed media layers
There’s something timeless about the charm of an old postcard. The faded ink, looping script, and worn paper carry not just words but fragments of history. With this free printable collage sheet, you can bring that sense of nostalgia straight into your crafting projects.
This printable includes eight vintage postcard backs, carefully scanned and formatted at 2.5 x 3.5 inches, the same size as standard ATCs (Artist Trading Cards). They’re perfect for journaling spots, layering in mixed media, or adding as decorative elements to your creative work.
Why Postcard Backs Make Great Ephemera
Postcards from the early 20th century weren’t just quick notes. They were often treasured keepsakes. Families and friends exchanged them as a way to stay in touch, mark special occasions, or simply say hello. The back of the card, with its distinctive typography, postage stamps, and handwritten messages, is often just as interesting as the image on the front.
For today’s makers, postcard backs bring a layer of authenticity and warmth to any project. They feel personal, lived-in, and real, making them a wonderful backdrop for your own creative storytelling.
Creative Ways to Use These Postcard Backs
Here are a few fun ways to incorporate this printable into your next project:
Junk Journals: Use them as journaling cards, tuck them into pockets, or glue them down as page accents.
ATCs (Artist Trading Cards): Since they’re already ATC-sized, you can use them as the base for drawings, collage, etc.
Mixed Media Layers: Add them as a base layer for paint, stencils, or stamping.
Scrapbooking: Use them to document travel or vintage-themed pages.
Gift Tags: Punch a hole at the top, add ribbon, and you’ve got tags with a vintage feel.
2.5” x 3.5” ATCs
Other Free Printables You Might Like
Pair these postcard backs with more ephemera from The Art Scavenger:
Floral Labels – printable vintage labels with ornate floral borders.
Vintage Hat Ephemera – elegant millinery catalog images from the early 1900s.
Vintage Flower Ephemera – A botanical collection of delicate floral illustrations, ideal for spring-themed journals or nature-inspired collages.
Vintage Snake Ephemera – gothic-style serpent illustrations perfect for dark academia journals.
Final Thoughts
Vintage postcard backs are one of those underrated gems of ephemera. They may not have the colorful illustrations of the fronts, but the character of the handwriting, stamps, and postal marks make them just as beautiful. This printable brings all that charm into a size that’s easy to work with, whether you’re making ATCs, layering journal pages, or adding a vintage accent to a scrapbook.
By using these in your crafting, you’re not just decorating. You’re weaving history into your art.
You may also enjoy these free collage sheets.
Terms of use:
Free to use for personal or commercial projects. You may print the collage sheets as many times as you wish for your personal crafts or in your projects to sell, including: art journals, scrapbooks, junk journals, collage art, etc. You may not redistribute or sell the collage sheets “as is" in either print or digital form.
If you wish to share the files on your own website, please do not make the files available for download directly from your site. Instead, include an image with a link back to this site.
To the best of my knowledge, these are all royalty free images that are in the Public Domain in the US. However, you should always do your own research if you plan to use them commercially.
