Postcrossing for advanced users – the forum, tags, meetups and other features worth discovering
If you have already sent a dozen or several dozen postcards, you have probably noticed that Postcrossing is much more than the official postcard exchange.
Many users begin by sending their first five postcards.
A few months later, they discover the forum, then join themed exchanges and meet new people. They attend postcrosser meetups, and some form friendships that last for many years.
Important note Some of the activities described below take place on the Postcrossing forum or are organised by the community. They are not a compulsory part of the project – you can take part whenever you feel like it.
The official exchange is only the beginning. Most people know only the basic rule I send one postcard → I receive one postcard.
This is the official exchange, but the community has also created many additional activities. They allow you to find people with similar interests, participate in themed exchanges or collect postcards related to a particular hobby.
Travel Mode
This is a feature available on Postcrossing that allows you to temporarily change the country from which you send official postcards.
Step 1
Before you start sending postcards, log in to your Postcrossing account.
You will find the Travel Mode option in the settings. Remember that you need to connect to a local Wi-Fi network.
Step 2
After activating Travel Mode, you can draw official addresses as usual.
The difference is that you receive the ID of the country you are currently in.
Step 3
Buy local stamps.
Send the postcards from a local post office.
For many recipients, the local postmarks and stamps are an additional attraction.
Step 4
After returning home, turn off Travel Mode.
From that moment, everything works as it did before.
After activating Travel Mode, your address is temporarily excluded from the drawing of new official postcards.
A few practical tips before your trip
Experienced postcrossers often plan their mailings before their journey begins.
It is worth
taking a fine pen or fountain pen that writes well on postcard stock,
checking the opening hours of local post offices or buying stamps through the website of the postal operator in the country you are visiting
making sure you know the current international postage rates.
On the official Postcrossing forum, users from all over the world discuss everything related to postcards.
You can find, among other things
advice for beginners,
information about new stamps,
discussions about postcard design,
travel inspiration,
collecting topics,
exchanges organised by users.
It is a good place to get to know the community better and discover new ideas for developing your passion.
Meetups
Did you know that postcrossers also meet outside the Internet
Local meetups are organised all over the world. Sometimes only a few people attend, while other events attract several dozen participants.
You can find information about dates and locations on the official Postcrossing forum.
During such events, participants
meet one another in person,
exchange postcards,
write postcards together,
use commemorative stamps,
visit local attractions.
For many people, this is one of the most enjoyable parts of the entire hobby.
You can find information about dates and locations on the official Postcrossing forum - httpscommunity.postcrossing.comcmeetups
Meeting cards – a unique souvenir from meetups
Special commemorative postcards are often created for larger meetups.
They feature the location of the event, its date or a distinctive theme.
They are not an official Postcrossing category, but many collectors value them highly. They are a beautiful souvenir from the event and are often available only during a particular meetup.
What are tags
One of the most popular activities on the forum is known as tags.
They are a type of informal exchange between users.
The principle is simple.
One user offers to send a postcard with a particular theme, and the next person expresses an interest in receiving it while also offering to send a postcard to the following person. Each tag has its own rules.
For example, they may focus on
maps,
cats,
watercolours,
Christmas postcards,
UNESCO,
illustrations,
railways,
national parks.
Tags allow you to collect postcards related to specific interests, but they require you to read the rules of each thread carefully.
Round Robin (RR)
Another popular activity is the Round Robin exchange, often abbreviated to RR. It involves exchanging postcards within a small group of people.
For example, ten participants sign up for one round. Each person receives a list of the other participants’ addresses and sends postcards to them according to the agreed rules.
Round Robins are most often organised around a particular theme or involve drawing mailing addresses for a specific period. They are a great opportunity to meet collectors with similar interests.
Direct Swap – a private exchange
On some users’ profiles, you may find the information “Direct swaps”
or “No direct swaps”.
A Direct Swap is a private postcard exchange between two people and does not take place through the official address-drawing system. Both parties agree which postcards they would like to exchange. This option is particularly popular among collectors of specific themes.
However, if someone clearly states that they do not participate in private exchanges, it is important to respect their decision.
Some people use only the official exchange for many years and never visit the forum or participate in tags. And they still have a wonderful time.
There is no single correct way.
You decide what your Postcrossing adventure should look like.
Most people begin out of simple curiosity and want to send a few postcards.
To see how it works.
After some time, they discover that Postcrossing opens the door to a world of travel, art, photography, collecting and friendships with people from different cultures.
And that is probably why so many people remain involved in this hobby for years.
Because behind every postcard there is not only a beautiful illustration, but also a person and their story.