The envelope, please...

Or, more to the point: Which comes first, the envelope or what goes in it?

Answer: The envelope, definitely.

This is true first because if you design the envelope right away you won't forget it. (You would be AMAZED at the number of holiday cards that show up at our shop with no artwork for the envelope.)

Second, envelopes are only available in certain sizes, and you need to know the size to lay out what's going in it. If you don't you might lay out a card which really has no comfortable fit with envelopes that actually exist. Don't laugh, it happens! If the fit is too tight it's difficult to get the contents in or out, and if the envelope is too big it looks silly.

Here's your link: http://www.belightsoft.com/products/companion/paper/envelopes.php (Thanks to the folks at BeLight Software who publish this wonderful page.) The rule of thumb is that the final size of the contents should be 1/4" smaller in each dimension. For example: An A-7 envelope is 5.25 X 7.25 inches. The folded size of it's card would be 5 X 7. The unfolded size of the card (assuming it's folded and not just a flat card) would be 10 X 7. That's the whole deal.


Third, not every paper in the world is converted into matching envelopes, and even fewer of them are converted and actually stocked by distributors. This means you may fall in love with a paper, and convince your client to love it, only to find either the envelope unavailable, or to be had only in full carton quantities from the mill (1,000 or more). A quick message to your printer can confirm availability before you go ahead.


Most questions arise on the subject of holiday or note cards, so take a look at the link for Announcement or Baronial sizes because these are most commonly used. (One has straight flaps and the other are pointed.) The most popular sizes are A-6, A-8, and A-10 or their baronial counterparts. Square envelopes are also available though not listed in the link...they come in about 1" increments, just remember you will pay extra postage. Again, you can always call or email your printer to check availability.


Advice from 2007: Don't put off layout for your holiday card 'til the third week of December! Be a printing superstar and turn it in about a month in advance... you will stun your colleagues and vendors with your amazing skills. (At our shop you will also get special pricing.)


Keep the size and style link handy, or at least remember it's here. It'll save you revision costs and frustration and, most important, make you look like a hot shot.


Thanks for stopping by!


Hugh
Your friend in the print business