May 17, 2010
And the Envelope, Please….
Everyone who specialize in direct mail always know that the outside is just as important as what’s on the inside. But, did you know that envelopes come is all shapes, sizes and colors? Aloha Print and Copy knows the importance in understanding the difference in each in order to create a successful mailing.
Standard Business Envelopes are the center of all business correspondence. All envelopes come either regular or windowed. You can also get them tinted for security purposes. While there are many sizes of envelopes, the more commonly used envelope type for this category are:
• #10 (4-1/8 x 9 1/2 inches) used for daily correspondence, direct mail and billing.
• #9 (3-7/8 x 8 7/8 inches) is commonly called a business reply envelope. It is used for billing and sized to fit into a #10.
• # 7-3/4 or Monarch (3-7/8 x 7-1/2) is used for more formal or personal stationery.
• #6-3/4 (3-5/8 x 6-1/2 inches) is commonly referred to as a check envelope.
Remittance Envelopes are commonly used for fundraising by churches, charities, and non-profit organizations. Depending on what and how much is print on them, these envelopes come in three common sizes: and can fit inside a larger envelope, like a #10 business envelope.
Booklet and Catalog Envelopes are used to mail booklets, annual reports, brochures, sales presentations and catalogs. Again, there are many different sizes but the typical sizes for these kinds of envelopes are 6 x 9, 9 x 12 and 10 x 13 inches. The only difference between booklet and catalog envelopes is the location of their seams and flaps. Catalogs have a center seam which makes it stronger and more durable for heavier weighted mailings with the flap on the end. Booklets have a side seam similar to business envelopes with the flap on the side.
Announcement Envelopes are perfect for many uses such as invitations, greeting cards, holiday cards, direct mail advertising, and a variety of other marketing projects. The more commonly used envelope types for this category are A2 (4-3/4 x 5-3/4), A6 (4-3/4 x 6-1/2) and A7 (5-1/4 x 7-1/4).
Other types of envelopes include Baronial, Drive Up, Teller Helper, Coin, deposit Statement, Key Cards, Credit Cards, Florist and more.
Once you have decided on an envelope, it’s time to design your marketing piece. If you are designing the project yourself, it is extremely important to check with a local post office for postal regulations regarding your project. By taking a mock up of the mailer, you will be able to determine if it meets postal regulation and find out the cost of postage. Failure to comply will cost you both time and money. Or you can save both time and money by having Aloha create your mailer. Aloha is knowledgeable on postal regulations.
For more information about Aloha Print and Copy’s print, copy, design, bind and mail fulfillment services and product information, please call us at (770) 642-1642.
May 5, 2010
Are You in A Rut?
While no one wants to be stuck in a rut, we all tend to find ourselves there in one way or another. Unfortunately for many of us, we find ourselves in a perpetual rut at some point in our careers, for others it’s in our home lives or both. No matter what we do, we are stuck and unable to get past that point.
But in following our daily routine, we tend to be blinded to new ideas or opportunities. Whether in our personal or professional lives, we ultimately lose in the end and life passes us by. Creative people have breakthroughs by continually looking for different ways to do new and exciting things. Whatever it is, challenge yourself to change one thing a day.
Below are a few rut-busting activities to apply to your everyday life:
• Speak to someone new. Every day, get out and meet people you have never spoken to before. Add them to your friend/networking list. Check out the community calendar in your locate paper.
• Rearrange your work area. It helps break the monotony and forces change.
• Change your schedule around. Do those things you leave for last first.
• Drive a different route to work in the morning. Considerate it a mini-adventure and discover new places to see.
• Be active. Sign up for an activity such as yoga, something you have never done before. It will help reduce the stress in your life. Or just get out and walk. Lunchtime walks re-energize you to be more creative.
• Use your left hand if you’re right-handed (or right if you’re left-handed) for one day.
• Read a book on a subject you know nothing about. Or listen to motivational cds in your car on the way to work.
• Eat lunch in a different place with a different person. Be adventurous and order something you have never eaten before.
• Learn a new business skill or try a new hobby.
• Go without television for one day. You’ll be amazed at what you can accomplish without the tv on.
So how do you bust out of your rut? Let us know.
For rut-busting printing, call the experts at Aloha Print and Copy at (770) 642-1642. Let us show you how to give your stationary and marketing material a fresh, new look.
Aloha Print & Copy 