10 Years of PostcardsMarket: Featured by Finnish Postcrossing Friends Association – An Interview with Mihnea Răducu

Ten years ago, PostcardsMarket started as a simple passion for postcards.

What began as a personal hobby has grown into a global postcard community connecting collectors from around the world. Today, we are proud to celebrate a special milestone: PostcardsMarket has been featured in an international interview published by Postcrossingyhdistys ry - the Finnish Postcrossing Friends Association.

This recognition marks an important moment in our journey and reflects the strength of the worldwide postcard community we are honored to be part of.

The entire interview can be seen here - on the website of Suomen Postcrossingyhdistys ry - at the end of the article is a video with subtitles in Finnish, English and Romanian Language.

An International Recognition from Finnish Postcrossing Friends Association

The interview was conducted by Marko Kulmala (CEO) together with Mihnea Răducu, founder of PostcardsMarket. It explores how a personal passion evolved into an international online postcard shop serving collectors across continents.

Being featured by Suomen PostcrossingYhdistys ry is especially meaningful because Finland has one of the most active and engaged Postcrossing communities in the world. Their support and interest highlight the global impact of postcard collecting and the connections it creates.

🎥 Watch the Full Interview

In this interview, Mihnea Răducu shares:
•    How PostcardsMarket began 10 years ago
•    The biggest challenges in building a postcard business
•    The evolution of postcard collecting in the digital era
•    How a small idea grew into a global community
•    The future vision for PostcardsMarket

(CC/ Subtitles - Settings - choose English, Finnish or Romanian Language)

How PostcardsMarket Began

PostcardsMarket was born from a genuine love for postcards and meaningful communication. At a time when digital messages dominated everyday life, postcards continued to offer something unique: tangible connection.

What started as collecting and exchanging postcards gradually evolved into creating a dedicated online postcard shop designed specifically for collectors and Postcrossing enthusiasts.

The goal was simple: offer high-quality postcards that people would be proud to send and excited to receive.

Building a Global Postcard Community

Over the past decade, PostcardsMarket has shipped postcards to collectors worldwide. From Europe to Asia, from North America to Australia, postcards from our shop have traveled thousands of kilometers — carrying stories, cultures, and personal connections.

Postcrossing played a significant role in this growth. The global platform helped connect people who believe in the beauty of handwritten messages and cultural exchange.

Today, PostcardsMarket is not just an online store — it is part of a worldwide postcard ecosystem built on trust, creativity, and shared passion.

Challenges in the Postcard Industry

Running a niche online postcard shop comes with unique challenges:

• Rising printing and shipping costs

• Maintaining product originality

• Adapting to changing customer expectations

• Staying relevant in a digital-first world

Yet, one thing remains constant: people still value real, physical connection.

The continued growth of postcard collecting proves that authenticity never goes out of style.

The Future of PostcardsMarket

The next chapter focuses on:

• Expanding exclusive postcard designs

• Supporting the international Postcrossing community

• Strengthening collaborations across countries

• Creating limited anniversary collections

After 10 years, the mission remains unchanged: to create meaningful connections through postcards.

Celebrate 10 Years with Us

To mark this milestone, we invite you to explore our collections and discover postcards designed for collectors worldwide.

Whether you are a long-time Postcrosser or just starting your postcard journey, we have something special waiting for you.

👉 Explore our latest postcard collections
👉 Discover our best-selling designs
👉 Start your postcard journey today

Thank You to the Community

This 10-year journey would not have been possible without our customers, collectors, and the global Postcrossing community.

If you have been part of our story — even by sending just one postcard — thank you.

We would love to hear from you:
How long have you been collecting postcards?
Where was the most memorable postcard you ever received from?

Let’s continue building connections — one postcard at a time.

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Celebrating 10 Years of Postcardsmarket – From Passion to a Global Community

Ten years ago, on 10th March 2016, Postcardsmarket began as a small, personal project. I, Mihnea Raducu, together with my good Postcrossing friend George Nazareanu, decided to dive into the world of postcards and created an online shop that already offered a few flags of the world.

What started with a simple wish - to find a Romania flag postcard - soon became a much bigger adventure. After creating one for Romania, then Germany, then the Netherlands, we realized that collectors around the world were looking for the same kinds of cards. That’s how the Flags of the World (FOTW) series, the Maps of the World (MOTW) series, and later the Titina & Friends series were born - each designed to be both beautiful and meaningful.

A business built on real needs

Postcardsmarket has always focused on solving real problems for collectors and postcard‑lovers. The idea is simple: offer postcards that truly fulfill the needs of the people who buy them.

This means:

• Reading Postcrossing profiles and seeing what people are asking for.
• Turning repeated requests into new designs, so that if many collectors want the same kind of card, it becomes part of the catalogue.

Because the shop is built on this feedback‑driven approach, many of the best‑selling designs are not just pretty pictures - they are useful, specific, and tailored to what people actually need when they write and send postcards around the world.

A personal style inspired by learning

As a collector myself, I have a strong preference for educational, informative postcards - cards that teach you something about each country: flags, capitals, maps, and interesting facts.

This passion for knowledge shows in series like the Maps of the World or Amazing Places, where each card invites the receiver to discover something new. For me, a postcard is not only a greeting; it is also a small piece of culture, geography, and storytelling.

Decisions guided by heart and data

Running Postcardsmarket means balancing intuition and information. I use both data and customer feedback to decide what to print more of, what to improve, and what new themes might work well.

At the same time, because I have the freedom to choose, I also follow my heart. Sometimes I create a series simply because I would love to receive that card myself, or because it feels like it adds something special to the collection. This combination of heart and data is what keeps the shop evolving while staying true to its original spirit.

A global community

One of the most striking aspects of Postcardsmarket is that most of its customers are outside Romania. The shop is built for collectors worldwide with a fascination for sending and receiving real, handwritten messages/ postcards from around the world.

The postcards are printed in Romania, in a local printing company in Bucharest, while the shop itself runs on a global e‑commerce platform, making it easy for collectors from Europe, North America, and beyond to browse, order, and receive cards directly at home.

Marking 10 years of friendship

Ten years is not just about numbers; it’s about postcards received, friendships formed, and stories written in ink instead of pixels. In 2020, the pandemic challenged many habits, but together with you - the readers and collectors worldwide - we kept the postcard spirit alive.

In April 2023, George stepped back, and I continued alone, still guided by the same idea: to create the kind of postcards I would like to receive as a collector. New series, new ideas, and constant improvements have kept the shop moving forward, always with the collector’s needs at the center.

Now, in 2026, we are celebrating 10 years of Postcardsmarket. To all of you who have ever bought a card, sent a greeting, or simply smiled at a postcard from this corner of the world: THANK YOU!

Here’s to another decade of flags, maps, stories, and real mail in an increasingly digital world! Let's bring sunshine to every mailbox!

Romanian Language articles here:

Ecompedia

Spotmedia

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🌍 New Series: World Postcard Day Maps of the World

The postcard-collecting community has something truly special to celebrate this year: the launch of the World Postcard Day – Maps of the World series! 🎉

Created by Suaithai in Switzerland, the talented designer behind the already famous MOTW – Maps of the World series, this brand-new collection brings together 55 unique postcard designs, each shining a spotlight on countries and territories with the most active members on our favorite online postcard-exchange platform.

✨ What makes this series unique?

Each postcard is not just a pretty design - it’s a mini lesson in postal history and geography. Here’s what you’ll discover on every card:

• Universal Postal Union facts – including the year each country joined the worldwide organization.

• Stamp history – when the very first postage stamp was issued in that country.

• Postal operator details – the name of the national postal service, along with how many post offices or postal counters operate today.

• World map view – with a pink flag pin showing exactly where the country is located.

• Community connection – approximate numbers of how many postcard enthusiasts from that country are registered on the online platform.

It’s like holding a slice of global postal heritage right in your hand!

🎨 Designed with passion, not machines

In a world flooded with computer-generated images, this series proudly stands apart. Each design is thoughtfully created by a real artist, ensuring authenticity and warmth—just like the postcards themselves.

📮 Why it matters

The World Postcard Day has been celebrated every year on October 1st since 2020 (as declared by worldpostcardday.com )

and this series is the perfect way to join the fun. By combining philately, postal history, and geography, it reminds us why postcards are so magical: they connect people, cultures, and stories across the globe.

🎉 Let’s celebrate together!

Whether you’re a passionate collector, a Postcrosser, or simply someone who loves learning about the world, this series is made for you. Swap them, send them, or treasure them—they’re more than postcards, they’re windows into global history.

So this year, let’s celebrate World Postcard Day not just with stamps and greetings, but with a colorful journey across 55 postcards that honor the heart of our community.

📌 World Postcard Day – Maps of the World Series: Where history, geography, and friendship meet!

Here is the full and complete alphabetical list of the series, if you click on country name you will see full details.

1              Aland Islands

2              Australia

3              Austria

4              Belgium

5              Bosnia and Herzegovina

6              Brazil

7              Bulgaria

8              Canada

9              China

10           Croatia

11           Cyprus

12           Czech Republic

13           Denmark

14           Estonia

15           Finland

16           France

17           Germany

18           Greece

19           Hong Kong

20           Hungary

21           India

22           Indonesia

23           Ireland

24           Israel

25           Italy

26           Japan

27           Kazakhstan

28           Korea South

29           Latvia

30           Lithuania

31           Luxembourg

32           Malaysia

33           Malta

34           Netherlands The

35           New Zealand

36           Norway

37           Philippines

38           Poland

39           Portugal

40           Romania

41           Serbia

42           Singapore

43           Slovakia

44           Slovenia

45           South Africa

46           Spain

47           Sweden

48           Switzerland

49           Taiwan

50           Thailand

51           Turkey

52           Ukraine

53           United Kingdom

54           United States of America

55           Vietnam

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Postcard Celebration at Berlin Postcard Convention!

We were proud to take part in the Great Event Berlin Postcard Convention, held on 12–13 July 2025 at the Museum of Communication in Berlin. It was a truly memorable gathering, with over 230 attendees from around the world and more than 5,000 postcards sent in just two days!

We celebrated 20 years of spreading smiles through the Postcrossing platform and fully enjoyed the vibrant, heartwarming atmosphere throughout the event.

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Why Your Feedback Matters: Help Us Serve You Better!

Hello, dear customers and friends!

Most of you already know me - Mihnea Răducu, the shop admin who personally ensures your orders are sent with care and attention. Today, I’m reaching out to ask for your help in shaping the future of our shop and community.

We’re conducting a short survey to better understand your preferences, needs, and hobbies. This will help us improve how we communicate with you, tailor our offerings, and make your experience even more enjoyable. It’s a quick 3-5 minute questionnaire, but your input will have a lasting impact!

Exciting Updates You Might Like

While I have your attention, let me share some exciting news about upcoming events that might interest you:

1. 1st International Postcard Convention in Berlin
   This summer, on July 12-13, 2025, I’ll be in Berlin at the Museum für Kommunikation Berlin (Leipziger Straße 16). Together with my good friend Holger Kaufhold, we’re organizing a major event dedicated to postcards. This convention also celebrates the 20th anniversary of Postcrossing!

   • Over 200-250 attendees from across Europe have already confirmed their participation.

   • A variety of shops will showcase postcards, washi tape, stickers, postmarks, and more.

   • There will be tombolas and other surprises!

   If you’re interested in attending or want more details, keep an eye on your inbox for updates. More details you can find here, on postcrossing forum.

2. Faroe Islands Meetup – October 2025
   A unique opportunity to connect with fellow postcard enthusiasts in a stunning location. Here is the post on forum.

3. Romania’s Annual Postcrossing Meeting – December 2025
   This year’s meeting will feature a special guest from Burundi and take place during the first week of December. It’s a chance to experience local Romanian Christmas traditions while celebrating our shared passion for postcards. Here are the details.

Why Your Feedback is Crucial

I know many of you are spread across the globe - from Australia to Peru, from China to Canada - but your input matters regardless of where you are. By answering this survey, you’ll help us:

• Improve how we communicate with you (email, social media, etc.).

• Learn about your hobbies and interests so we can offer products tailored to your preferences.

• Enhance our overall services to ensure every interaction with us is delightful.

How You Can Help

Please take a moment to fill out the survey - it’s quick and easy! Your feedback gives me the energy and insights I need to make our shop and community even better for you. (just click on the photo below)

Thank you for being such an important part of this journey!

Warm regards,
Mihnea Răducu
Your dedicated shop admin and postcard enthusiast 😊

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New Postcard Series "Potions"

Welcome to Giggermoia, a pleasant and peaceful city on a distant planet, inhabited by cheerful creatures capable of practicing a strange form of magic. At the peak of its power, this magic transforms them into animals - mighty draconic beings. In Giggermoia, there is always a remedy for any problem! Whether you need a bit of luck, a touch of boldness, or an abundance of love, the inhabitants of this joyful planet are sure to have just the right remedy for you.

Are you ready to discover all the potions they can brew to bring a smile to your face and fill your day with magic?

Here is the description for LOVE potion card:

Love is a wonderful thing, but sometimes we don’t feel loved enough. This love potion is the perfect remedy for chronic lack of love! Do you have a friend who needs to feel loved? This recipe is just what they need! Want to fill someone’s day with love? Sending them this recipe will guarantee the result. What are you waiting for? Bring a big smile to someone you care about!

Here is the description for potion of BOLDNESS card:

Job interview coming up? A university exam or a school test? A new project on the horizon? Sometimes, all we need to face life and its challenges is a little initiative! This potion is the most effective remedy to feel full of determination, courage, and self-confidence. Don’t believe it? Try this recipe or send it to a friend in need, and a big smile will light up your day with boldness!

This series is inspired by Swonild Genovese illustrated book :

https://www.amazon.it/Ombrella-Esterella-strega-maga-cerca/dp/B0BJH5VGGS/ref=sr_1_1?__mk_it_IT=%C3%85M%C3%85%C5%BD%C3%95%C3%91&crid=3VGIJU9D6KWRE&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.s6t59oTe1sdag8gkXPPNRTzj5oYoF3kbsfolBYkiWPeaSlw3KTZKIuNGClW-rD1dLPHx9IncpTMJT5jjsl6mKFIvPFb6OFGLuMmxPRVx58svN6nLQwvdOAe2ltj30AHQ.WCBbWNBIe7kj8FBFIKb8BeEvxnuN6M5QY5b9SlGIGXU&dib_tag=se&keywords=ombrella+ed+esterella+strega+e+maga+in+cerca+di+guai&qid=1739791449&sprefix=ombrella+ed+esterella+strega+e+maga+in+cerca+di+guai%2Caps%2C113&sr=8-1

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Discover the Magic of Communication with Postcardsmarket.com - Your Online Destination for Postcards!

A journey into the fascinating world of postcards

I'm Mihnea Răducu and I'm a big fan of postcards! So passionate, that I managed to turn my passion into a business! Welcome to www.postcardsmarket.com, your virtual home of over 1500 high quality postcard designs, bringing joy and glamor this festive season. We boast a vast collection, from the most classic to the most innovative postcard designs, all ready to be discovered and shared around the world!

Exclusive models

Postcardsmarket.com offers you a wide range of over 1000 postcard designs, carefully designed and artistic touches to delight every recipient. Whether you want a classic design or something truly unique, we are here to fulfill all your wishes.

World Famous Postcard Series

Discover the fascination of the world with series like FOTW (Flags of The World) and MOTW (Maps of The World). These collections bring the diversity of countries to life through symbols and maps, turning each postcard into a small trip around the world. Innovation meets tradition with the Postcard World Explorer (PWE) series. Each postcard is printed with selective varnish and hides a QR code on the back. By scanning this code, you will be aurally teleported to that country, singing the national anthem together, thus bringing a special experience to each recipient. And the World Fashion Costumes Series - shows us in a unique way the traditional costumes of various peoples, through hand-made drawings by a Romanian painter.

Titina & Friends - A World Full of Friends and Adventures

Titina never stops expanding her circle of friends. In her virtual travels, she meets kittens, puppies, piglets, penguins, squirrels and even polar bears. Each friend brings with them their own playful and adorable personality, completing the warm and friendly atmosphere.

Fun activities

Titina and her friends are always busy with fun and educational activities. From playing chess and sending letters, to car rides or airplane rides, each postcard captures special moments and unforgettable memories. Share these adventures with your loved ones and bring a smile to everyone's faces.

Warm Messages and Lovely Drawings

With heart-warming messages and charming designs, Christmas postcards with Titina are the perfect gift to send beautiful wishes and share the magic of the holidays with your loved ones. Each postcard tells a unique story, bringing light and joy to the hearts of those who receive them.

Expect hilarious adventures and magical moments in every corner of the postcards with Titina & Friends.

Wall Calendars and Books Inspired by Titina

Plan your 2024 in style with the Titina-inspired wall calendar and the special "Titina & Friends by months" collection. We also have a special book written in English - "Titina and Friends Traveling in the European Union Book", which is based on the captivating story from the postcards. We believe that it is the first book built and written from ... postcards!

Why Postcardsmarket.com?

• Superior Quality: All postcards are made with attention to detail and are of high quality.
• Diversity: We offer a wide range of models to satisfy all tastes.
• Joy and Charm: Each postcard tells a story, bringing joy and charm to the homes of recipients.

We look forward to guiding you on your journey into the world of postcards at www.postcardsmarket.com! Discover the magic of the holidays and send the warmth and love of Christmas through unforgettable postcards

Don't know who to send a postcard to, or do you want to receive something other than invoices or supermarket promo catalogs in your mailbox? Nothing simpler - Discover Postcrossing!

Discover the Magic of Postcrossing - A Unique Way to Explore the World Through Postcards!

Postcrossing.com is a global community passionate about postcards and the exchange of messages between people around the world. This is a project inspired by the desire to bring people closer through postcards and share the beauty of the world's cultural and geographical diversity. Here's how the Postcrossing activity works:

• Step 1: Registration and Personal Profile

To start the Postcrossing adventure, users register on the online platform by creating a personal profile. Here, they can express their postcard preferences, interests and favorite places in the world.

• Step 2: Send a Postcard

After registration, members receive a random address of another Postcrossing user. This address can come from anywhere in the world. The user is then responsible for selecting or creating a postcard, writing it and sending it to the indicated address.

• Step 3: Receive a Postcard

As other members of the community send and receive postcards, the user will also start receiving postcards from other members. Each postcard is a unique surprise, bringing with it stories, images and joys from all over the world.

• Step 4: Registration and Feedback

Once the recipient receives the postcard, they register their receipt on the Postcrossing platform and provide short and positive feedback to the sender. This process ensures transparency and trust in the community.

The Magic world of Postcrossing

1. Exploring Cultures: Postcrossing offers a unique way to explore cultures and landscapes around the world without leaving your own home.
2. Interpersonal Connections: People become connected by exchanging postcards and sharing their stories, creating genuine interpersonal connections.
3. Joy in Every Mailbox: Every mailbox brings with it surprises and emotions, offering the opportunity to experience the traditional joy of receiving letters.

Postcrossing not only encourages the exchange of postcards, but also promotes tolerance, cultural understanding and friendship between people around the world. So grab a stamp and join the Postcrossing community to start your own journey through the fascinating world of postcards!

Do you want to see more? Here is a video (30 minutes) with me talking about postcards in a podcast at radio - Romanian Language with English Subtitles!

Click on ⬇️ Photo ⬇️ to see the video!

____

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Interview von Ecompedia.ro mit Mihnea Raducu, Shop-Administratorin

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Internationale Antwortcoupons: Ein unverzichtbares Tool für Postkartensammler und Philatelie-Enthusiasten

Als Postkartensammler oder Philatelie-Enthusiast sind Sie immer auf der Suche nach neuen und interessanten Stücken, die Sie Ihrer Sammlung hinzufügen können. Eines der aufregendsten Dinge beim Sammeln von Postkarten und Briefmarken ist die Möglichkeit, verschiedene Kulturen und Teile der Welt zu erkunden. Und dank des International Reply Coupon (IRC) können Sie Ihre Sammlung jetzt noch weiter erweitern.

Ein Internationaler Antwortcoupon ist ein Gutschein, der in jedem Land, das Mitglied des Weltpostvereins (UPU) ist, gegen Briefmarken eingetauscht werden kann. Das bedeutet, dass Sie mit einem IRC Postkarten aus Ländern auf der ganzen Welt versenden können, einschließlich einiger der exotischsten und abgelegensten Orte.

Wollten Sie beispielsweise schon immer eine Postkarte aus Niue, einem kleinen Inselstaat im Südpazifik, zu Ihrer Sammlung hinzufügen? Oder wie wäre es mit einer Postkarte aus Nauru, dem kleinsten Inselstaat der Welt? Mit einem IRC sind diese Orte nun in greifbarer Nähe.

Aber nicht nur kleine Inselstaaten können Sie mit einem IRC erreichen. Sie können damit auch Postkarten von Orten wie Tristan da Cunha, einem abgelegenen britischen Territorium im Südatlantik, oder Spitzbergen, einem norwegischen Territorium in der Nähe des Nordpols, versenden. Diese Orte mögen unerreichbar erscheinen, aber mit einem IRC sind sie nur eine Postkarte entfernt.

Die Verwendung eines IRC ist einfach. Kaufen Sie einfach ein IRC in Ihrem Heimatland und legen Sie es Ihrer Postkarte beim Versenden bei. Der Empfänger kann das IRC dann zu seinem örtlichen Postamt bringen und es gegen Briefmarken eintauschen, mit denen er eine Antwort an Sie zurücksenden kann.

Einer der größten Vorteile der Verwendung eines IRC besteht darin, dass beim internationalen Versand von Postkarten kein Geldwechsel erforderlich ist. Dies ist besonders nützlich, wenn es sich um Länder handelt, deren Währungen schwer umzutauschen sind, oder um Länder, in denen Sprachbarrieren die Kommunikation mit Postbeamten erschweren könnten.

IRCs sind nicht nur ein praktisches Tool zum Versenden von Postkarten von exotischen Orten, sondern können auch eine wertvolle Ergänzung Ihrer Sammlung sein. Einige Sammler sammeln IRCs gerne als separate Kategorie, während andere sie möglicherweise als Möglichkeit nutzen, ihre Reisen oder die Postkarten, die sie erhalten haben, zu dokumentieren.

Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen: Wenn Sie Postkarten sammeln oder sich für Philatelie begeistern, ist ein internationaler Antwortcoupon ein unverzichtbares Werkzeug, um Ihre Sammlung zu erweitern und neue und interessante Teile der Welt zu erreichen. Warum probieren Sie es also nicht einmal aus und sehen, wohin es Sie führt?

Und - um das zu überprüfen :D haben wir dieses tolle Tool wirklich getestet: Wir haben ein FOTW von Simbabwe an ihr Hauptpostamt geschickt (am 3. Februar 2023) und heute, am 12. Mai 2023, haben wir unsere Postkarte gestempelt und abgestempelt zurückerhalten! :D

Dies ist der gesendete Brief 😉 (um Ihnen auch ein Beispiel zu geben)

Die Adresse und den Namen können Sie ganz einfach im Internet finden:

Und hier ist das Ergebnis! Einfach unglaublich!

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