Things to Consider When Choosing a Business Envelope

Oftentimes the envelope that your business mail goes out into customers is the first thing they see. It works like a representation of your company and sometimes determines whether someone opens what you send, or simply tosses it into the nearest trash can. From among the options out there, such as type, flap, color, seam, and many others, it can feel almost impossible to get it right.

First, remember your main goal in this process is to find an envelope that will reach your recipient safely and get them to open it. Take into consideration what you are mailing and the conditions it will have to travel through to get to its destination. For example, if your company sends out sensitive information during the dead of winter, a shrink-wrap service may be something to look into to help the materials inside reach their destination in one piece.

When choosing a business envelope, there are a couple of other things to keep in mind. The tips here will provide guidance on selecting a professional envelope that will represent your company and your brand.

Company Logo or Branding

An envelope with your company’s brand printed on it will be the staple of your stationery, though it cannot be deemed as being all-purpose. These types of envelopes work wonders when your recipient is already aware of who you are as a company, but may not be as effective to prospective customers.

Plain or Window

The difference between the two may sound frivolous; however, there is much more to it than meets the eye. An envelope that has a window is a great time saver if your business is sending a lot of invoice or statement style pieces of mail. Such mail will have the address of the recipient printed int the same spot every time, which is what allows it to work in the first place.

The flip side is that the envelopes are seen as having a less personal touch. Most individuals think of window-style envelopes as a potential bill, which comes with its own set of unpalatable feelings.

It comes as no surprise that people are more likely to open a piece of mail that feels personal as if the person of the company took the time to reach out to them specifically. No matter the type of envelope you end up choosing, remember that there are a few different ways in which you can add an address:

• Hand-written
• Printer onto the envelope
• Label
• Typewriter

Some of these methods may sound more time-consuming than others, such as hand-writing every envelope, but have a significant difference in the perception of your company. Take some time to think about how you would like your mail to be perceived, and keep in mind that not every piece of mail has to go out the same way.

If you have a personal message to deliver to your recipient, think about hand-writing the address to tell them it’s not bulk mail but rather something they would be interested to open. Instead, if you are sending out bulk-mail to many recipients at the same time, you may want to look into using printed labels with different styles of font.

These small details will point you in the direction of the best type of envelopes to have at your company, though you can always have more than one type and use them in different ways. A plain-faced envelope will be best with a hand-written address, but a window-style will work great to save you time and potential funds for anything bulk.

Sneak-Up or Direct

This means using your envelope as a marketing tool for potential customers in two different ways. The first is the sneak-up style where your unsuspecting recipient opens the mail, unaware they will open a potential piece of advertising. Usually, in this case, the envelopes have nothing more on them than the name and address of the recipient, as well as a small return address. People find such mail interesting and will at least make the first step in opening it.

As a business, you could also take the opposite approach by sending them mail in an envelope that clearly marks what it will contain. These envelopes have the ability to entice the recipient with a potential offer they feel they must see.

Personal Tips and Tricks

Color and size of the envelope will dictate how it is received by your client or potential client. Plain, but colored envelopes are received the best since they stand out from among the sea of white business-like envelopes. Even while keeping it plain as a way to remain professional, you could use a size that most businesses don’t to remain eye-catching. If such an envelope were paired with a hand-written address, it remains in the professional category but gives a big hint of a personal touch.

Plenty of businesses will use a printed stamp as opposed to an actual stamp, but that does not give it a personal touch. Though it might seem small, the recipient will immediately know that someone took the time to add an envelope, rather than letting the machine do the work for them. Sometimes, the actual stamp may not offer a discount, such as the printed one, but it may be well worth the overall cost.

Custom

Lastly, you could make the envelope. Whether you use a company to help you do this, or you design the envelope, it can be seen as a great personal touch. This is a great way to show the recipient that you care to reach them, and all you ask in return is for your mail to get opened.