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.
October 7, 2009
Dress Your Company For Success
Your stationery is one of the key elements of your corporate identify. The overall design is critical, as it should contain all of the necessary information and branding. The design elements such as layout, fonts and colors established here will dictate all of the marketing collateral that will follow from your business cards to your brochure to your website.
With the invention of the internet, we all agree that emails have become common place in business communications. But there are still many companies who prefer to send and receive their mail a more traditional way. Letterhead and envelopes convey to the receiver what an email can’t – Your Image. It helps build the receiver’s confidence that they are doing business with a legitimate company who cares about the image that they portray.
Letterhead and envelopes are an important piece of communication. Introductions, proposals, personal messages and such require you to look your best. Creating an effective design will leave a memorable impression on the reader.
When designing your stationery, here are some helpful hints to take into account:
Paper matters. It is important to choose a high quality stock. Smooth finishes will print clean from your printer. Linen finishes are excellent choices for professionals such as lawyers and accountants. The color also is important. Acceptable colors are white, natural white, ivory and gray. If your business has an element of creativity to it, other colors and finishes may work. It is also important to understand the color of paper you choose will have an effect on ink colors when printed. Royal blue ink printed on a yellow stock will appear navy.
Most stationery is printed on 24# or 28# cotton bond. Inexpensive letterhead is printed on 20# Bond or 60# Offset. Trendier companies are choosing heavier stock such as 70# or 80# text weight.
Build your logo brand. Your logos should be memorable and clean. A good logo may only have one or two colors. Logos with too much tend to confuse the reader
Bleeds are unnecessary to your design. Bleeds may look wonderful with your design, but will add to the cost of the project. No one is going to know that your initial design had a bleed or not.
Screened Images. Many companies like to create their own watermarked version for their letterhead. These marks should be kept simple and light. Avoid dark colored images or images that are distracting They make it hard for the eyes to focus on the message
And the envelope, please. It is important that your envelope convey the same high quality look that your letterhead does. While the cost may be higher than a standard white envelope, it is the first impressions the receiver sees.
For more information about letterhead and envelopes and what Aloha Print and Copy can do for you, call us at (770) 642-1642.
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