Social Stationery 101
Paperia | November 2014
While social correspondence of the old-school( pen-to-paper, mailbox-to-mailbox) has certainly diminished with the growing prevalence of email and text messages, handwritten correspondence is still the preferred norm in certain situations.
Even etiquette guru Emily Post believes the art of the handwritten note is not dead!
So, what is social stationery, anyway? Basically, it is a package of branded paper goods used to communicate. You might use it to send a thank you, a note of congratulations, a “check in” greeting, an invitation to a small-scale, informal gathering, or seasonal/holiday wishes.
What items do I need? The most common and widely used types of social stationery include:
Correspondence card
- The least formal of the group, these heavyweight, flat cards are quite practical and can be used for sending brief sentiments which are a few sentences long.
Folded note card (also called “fold over”)
- Slightly more formal, this type of stationery is typically made of heavy stock and allows for longer handwritten notes given the expanded size.
Correspondence sheet (also known as “half sheet”)
- The most formal of the group, these are lighter in weight and used for longer, letter-style correspondence. They are folded in half to fit into the envelope.
Envelopes
- The size and stock material of your envelopes should match the correspondence to be inserted. Oftentimes one envelope size may suit a variety of inserts.
How do I select an appropriate design
Consider your social stationery your “personal brand.” Every element of the design should reflect your personality, and therefore, the recipient will feel it is a genuine expression of sentiment distinctly from you.
Paper
Start with the paper selection, which comes in a variety of materials, weights, and colors.
It’s best to feel the papers and to see the colors in person, because a computer screen simply will not do them justice – and can even be misleading.
Traditionally, social stationery was either white or ecru in color – but again, it’s best to select a color which reflects your own style. Do consider legibility and avoid extremely dark colors.
Imprint
You will be able to choose whether you’d like to showcase a monogram, full name, and/or motif on your personal stationery. Some opt to include a mailing or email address at the bottom of their stationery so that recipients can respond easily.
Consider the color, font, and printing method – all of these selections, together, will create your personal brand. Play around with different options until you find the perfect combination!
And remember – the Paperia has an enormous variety of items, as well as expertly trained consultants to assist you every step of the way.
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