Bringing pen pals back into fashion with postcards

In a world of instant messages and emojis, the 21-year-old founder of the Princess Mail Club believes a handwritten postcard can create connections that last far longer than a chat.

Putri Maysara was moved to tears by a postcard from her best friend, whom she met during an exchange programme. The card arrived when she was going through a stressful period, offering comfort when she needed it most. “It really helped me get through that bad experience,” she shared with FMT Lifestyle.

For Putri, that is the magic of postcards. Unlike a message that disappears into a busy chat thread, a handwritten card can be kept, revisited and treasured long after it arrives.

“When I receive a postcard that someone has taken the time and effort to decorate and send to me, it feels really magical and makes my day,” said Putri.

It is a simple idea, yet one that has inspired the KL-born media studies student to start the Princess Mail Club, a community for people who enjoy exchanging postcards and meeting others who share their interest.

The name is a playful combination of her own name, Putri, and her love of mail. And despite what some might assume, the club is open to everyone, including men.

“I was actually quite shocked,” she said of the number of men who signed up for her first meetup. Some messaged her to check whether it was a women-only club.

Putri first discovered postcard swapping during the pandemic in 2020, when she was 15 and looking for something fun to do at home. Through an online platform, she befriended a girl in Indonesia and sent her a postcard describing her daily life.

The first card she received in return was a Hari Raya greeting from the same friend. It took almost two months to arrive, reaching Putri after the festive season ended.

“It felt very special because it was her first time sending a postcard to anyone,” she recalled. “It was also my first time receiving a festive card.”

That long wait was part of the appeal. A postcard requires more than tapping a screen: someone has to choose it, write a message, address it, decorate it, buy a stamp and send it off.

“Everyone can send instant messages, and it’s very common … so nothing special,” Putri says. “But when you’re writing, you start from scratch. There’s more effort compared to just sending a message through the phone.”

In early October, Putri launched the Princess Mail Club with a World Postcard Day meetup, featuring special-edition cards designed by three local artists.

Seasoned collectors brought their prized cards, while newcomers came to explore the hobby. Ice-breakers soon turned initial shyness into lively exchanges.

“I used to be a very introverted person. But writing postcards allows me to express myself better, and this is the same experience with the others too,” Putri shared.

The club gives members a chance to exchange postcards, meet fellow collectors and arrange swaps, including when travelling.

Its WhatsApp group keeps members connected, with people sharing new finds and updates on other meetups. Putri also hopes to organise smaller gatherings and workshops to introduce more people, especially children, to the hobby.

Putri’s own collection now includes nearly 200 postcards from around the world, including Finland, Germany, Russia, India and China. She particularly enjoys a series by a US illustrator featuring designs inspired by all 50 American states, of which she has collected 26.

One of her most treasured cards came from a German friend she first met through swapping postcards. “It was very special because she really remembered everything I shared about myself and she personalised the postcard based on that!” Putri enthused.

She has also received postcards from a Ukrainian who described how the war disrupted everyday life, including the ability to visit the post office. ”I got to understand so much better what people were going through beyond just what I was reading in the news reports.”

Ultimately, in an age when friendships can begin and end with a swipe, Putri’s little club offers a slower alternative to swipe-driven friendships, connecting people through handwritten cards that bring smiles across borders.

Follow the Princess Mail Club here.

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