The present invention relates to a method, a
system and corresponding devices for
electronic transmission of mail pieces such as post cards front a plurality of local input means (55, 56, 57, 58) at a first geographical location, where an electronic version of for instance a
post card can be created to a plurality of local reception and delivery centres or printing facilities (72), where a
hard copy of the electronic version of a mail piece is created and subsequently delivered to an addressee. Using a preferred embodiment of the
system, a user located at a first geographical location can purchase a
post card comprising a picture of a local site of interest and using a
user interface post (10) provide this
post card with a
text message and additional modifications together with the mailing address of an addressee, thereby creating a modified electronic version of the post card. Using the
system according to the invention, this electronic version is sent to a reception and delivery centre (72) for instance a local
post office or a regional
post office (4) receiving mail to be distributed to a number of local post offices. At a local
post office in the neighborhood of the addressee a
hard copy of the electronic version is created and finally delivered to the addressee. World-wide transmission of the electronic version of a mail piece can for instance be effected via
the Internet, although in principle any suitable
data transmission network could be used. The system comprises a global portion containing
data application means (66), storage means (68) and
print server means (69), by means of which global portion for instance data can be shared by the different clients and the electronic version of a mail piece can be routed to the appropriate printing facility (72).