Letterhead is used for business correspondence, whether you run small businesses, large corporations, nonprofits, government agencies, or educational institutions. In a world filled with email that flits around in the ether, custom letterhead is a tangible reminder of your company. Well-designed letterhead will drive brand awareness, separate you from your competition, improve your corporate image, and can drive traffic to your corporate website.
What are the benefits of custom letterhead?
Build brand awareness
Letterhead is one of many printed marketing materials that offer a great branding opportunity. Used cohesively with other products, it gives you the chance to put your business name, logo, corporate colors, and contact information into the recipient’s view. The more you get your name out there, the sooner you can build brand recognition and create an enduring impression.
Separate yourself from the competition
Custom letterhead can be the edge over your competition. Remember that letterhead is a form of marketing. If a potential client receives a letter from your company and a competitor, the potential could be swayed by the more polished correspondence.
Improve your image
When your professional letterhead demonstrates attention to detail, it creates the expectation that you will also provide a quality product. Simple choices make a positive impact.
Drive traffic to your website
If you include your URL on your letterhead and business card you are giving your customers the ability to research your business further.
“Professional-looking letterhead, envelopes imprinted with your business’s name and return address and note cards are wise investments. Every business needs to mail things, from sales pitches to invoices, and using letterhead lends authority.”
—The Print Marketing Collateral Every Business Needs, SCORE
What should be included on custom letterhead?
Include this vital information on your professional letterhead so recipients identify your brand and know how to contact you.
- Institution’s name
- Institution’s logo
- Address
- Telephone number
- Fax number
- Website
- Email (optional)
- Social media (optional)
Your company’s name and/or logo should be the most prominent element on the page. Minimize the impact of other text so you don’t draw attention away or make the document look cluttered. Notice how John Tyler Community College Foundation positions their contact information in the lower corner in a smaller font.
What are my printing options?
Paper
Your paper choice lets your content pop and creates an impression for your brand. Letterhead is printed on standard business size paper (8.5” x 11”). Use white or cream paper so your brand’s colors and logos are the star. Select high-quality paper to add durability, gravitas, and style. Remember that the higher the paper weight measured in pounds, the thicker the paper. Consider increasing the paper weight for a difference your correspondents can feel.
Letterhead can be printed on high-quality eco-friendly papers. Printing on recycled paper saves virgin resources and shows your commitment to sustainability without sacrificing quality. Tree-free paper is an alternative if you wish to explore other renewable options.
Ink
With a name like BambooInk, you can imagine how much we like to talk about ink. Inks impact color, brightness, glossiness, color durability, and rub resistance. We offer vegetable-based inks for eco-friendly printing that are VOC free.
Emboss or deboss
Embossing raises the front of the paper; debossing indents into the paper. They add elegance and a tactile appeal.
What design elements should be considered?
Brand
“Simply put, your brand is your promise to your customer,” writes John Williams for Entrepreneur. Tying your letterhead to your branding strategy can help express your value proposition and establish the tone for your communications.
Typography
Font, spacing, and size determine your document’s readability. It should be selected to complement the existing branding; for example, selecting typography that is too funky or fussy will affect how clients perceive your company.
Should I print letterhead in my office or hire a professional printer?
You can find templates online that allow you to customize a design and print it in-house, but we believe in the value of partnering with local design professionals to produce a product that’s unique to you. While it might seem self-serving, the results you’ll get from a professional printer will far exceed your office’s LaserJet. Good printers will work with you to save money by selecting the printing process, paper, quantity, sheet layout, and more that will keep your costs as low as possible. Learn how we collaborated with a nonprofit to save 70% in postage alone. Printers also offer troubleshooting, and we strive for an exact color match to your brand standards and marketing materials.
Prepress manager AJ and offset pressman Kevin check color matching with brand strategist Karen Chase.
Let’s get started
We know every business is different, and we’re here to help you determine your needs and stay within your budget. Contact us for personalized solutions or get an estimate.
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