Hallmark today announces the company’s first postage-paid product, Postage-Paid Postcards. The postcards were developed with the US Postal Service and use a new barcode technology that eliminates the need for consumers to apply a stamp.

Hallmark chose to offer Postage-Paid Postcards when consumers expressed interest in a product that could be easily written and mailed, citing a need for convenience and ease. The 16 postcards are sold in packages of eight different designs that use humor to encourage women facing difficult life circumstances. The postcards are part of a new line of humor products designed to help women encourage each other. Each package retails for $9.99.

“Consumers told us they feel it’s important to send encouragement to friends going through difficult times and the simpler it is to do, the more likely they are to reach out,” notes Cindy Mahoney, Hallmark vice president of product development. “These Postage-Paid Postcards create a convenience we’ve not offered before. All you need to do is fill out the postcard and drop it in the mailbox.”

The Postage-Paid Postcards will be available in Hallmark Gold Crown stores at the end of May.