Envelopes: how to choose them

For something as simple as an envelope – they really do make a lot to choose from. There are all different colors of envelopes for cards, invitations and promotional mailings. There are envelopes with security linings in order to protect whatever is inside and keep it from being read or seen. There are the large manila envelopes that can be used for mailing things of importance. Anyway – you get the picture, there are many choices that you can make.

As time as marched on and technology has improved, we no longer have to waste our saliva on the gruesome glue when we want to seal the envelopes. Watching the famous Seinfeld episode years ago in which George's fiancé died from licking all of her wedding invitations, I was a bit paranoid after that. I took to wetting my fingers with a few drops of water and smearing it on the envelopes' glue in order to seal them. Perhaps that was silly but I didn't have that terrible aftertaste. Nowadays, you can buy envelopes that allow you to simply peel off a strip of paper and voila! You have instant stickiness that seals it closed without having to stick your tongue out for even a split second. That may not seem like such a big ordeal if you're just mailing one or two items, but when you're mailing out hundreds of invitations or promotional mailers, you tend to find it to be a most wonderful invention.

Though people tend to receive hundreds of free address labels in the mail throughout the year, I'm amazed at how many people will spend money on ordering envelopes that have their return address printed on them. I receive quite a few holiday cards that are pre-printed with their signatures inside of the cards and their return addresses printed as well. If you have the money and think that it looks fancier to send out envelopes with your address already printed on it, go for it. I tend to take advantage of those free labels that I seem to receive from ever charity at some point during the year. Now, for companies who mail out invoices and other items of importance, it is very professional to have envelopes printed with their return addresses already on them. There are lots of companies that you can order these envelopes from or if you have the technology, put it to good use and print them yourselves. I'd recommend finding a reputable and reasonable priced company to do the work for you. Usually when you buy in high quantities, you get a much better price. And, it may end up being more cost-effective than spending the time, energy and money to print them in your own facilities. Replacing ink cartridges and toner can be expensive after a while. Treat yourself to the luxury of having someone else do it for you. Unless you're just mailing out personal cards – then, take advantage of the free address labels and skip the luxury.