Despite living in a digital age, a significant number of corporations and local businesses use personalized stationery when it comes to sending in physical mail. The reason is simple: Customized logos and letterheads make a powerful impression.

Yet, taking the effort to design your stationery and then marring it all with generic external packaging won’t do. Instead, it would be best if you opted for custom envelopes whenever you send out anything.

Still, there are specific do’s and don’ts regarding such designs. So, here are a few things you need to watch for:

1. Don’t forget to implement your logo

Some logos may be challenging to implement into specific sizes. For instance, graphic designs look exceptional on digital screens. The results may be less than desirable when you reduce their scaling to minute images and put them on paper.

To circumvent this, use a software tool to create a pared-down variant of your logo alongside the one you usually use. It doesn’t have to be as detailed as the standard version. Anything works as long as it captures the essence of your identity. Then, you can request the service provider to incorporate the design without facing any issues.

The best part? Everything stays uniform across your stationery. In short, no pixelated or blurry images to sully your corporate reputation.

2. Do decide on a paper type

Paper derived from wood is the standard variant in most cases. As a result, they tend to be relatively cheap and widely used.

However, cotton-based material can be more appealing due to its smooth texture and luxurious appearance. Going this route will also require a higher budget.

Here’s where it gets tricky: Suppose you pick wood-derived paper for your letters or mail. Now, if you decide to go for cotton-based custom envelopes, that may create a disparity between the two.

So, it’s best to stick to one paper type across all your stationery. Choose one that works within your budget and the designed layout.

3. Don’t ignore the rule of thirds

It’s crucial to work closely with the agency you choose when designing personalized stationery. And while you are at it, discuss implementing the rule of thirds.

In short, you create a 9-box grid on a blank sheet before incorporating any visual elements. Then, you place the images or content while ensuring a space of 3 boxes between everything. That will allow you to maintain a modicum of aesthetic balance.

Note that this works differently in vertical and horizontal designs. For example, if there isn’t enough space on a rectangular surface, such as an envelope, you could resort to 2-box spaces instead of adhering to three.

4. Do think about adding some color

When it comes to custom corporate stationery, neutral tones usually tend to work well. However, they can be made even better if you match the color according to your brand identity.

This doesn’t mean that you go overboard, though. Simply put, consider how you want people to view you. So, for businesses in a traditional sector, muted shades will work best.

Regardless, there are some exceptions here. For instance, when designing stationery for marketing agencies, it’s crucial to convey your sense of audience appeal through brighter colors.

Granted, all of this can get tricky. To help in this context, have a conversation with whichever design agency you choose and familiarize them with what you want.

Building a better look

Always ensure that you give some thought to what you want your stationery to look like to others. Only when that’s done should you approach a design agency to implement your ideas.

Nonetheless, it’s best if you are open to modifying some of the elements in the initial layout. After all, professionals will always have better suggestions based on the wealth of their experience.