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Letterhead Styles

There are several elements to consider when designing and ordering your letterhead. The most common letterhead is plain white paper with the business name and address in black. That is a good choice for some companies, like smaller accountancy firms or law firms. However, there are countless paper options and with current printing technology, there's very little that can't be done with graphics. Some options to consider when planning a letterhead order are:

• Colored and Specialty Letterhead Paper

  The most important fact is that letterhead is printed on uncoated paper, which will easily go through your office or home printer . Be sure, when ordering letterhead, that it meets this requirement. Letterhead can be ordered in a variety of colors, from many different whites to pastels and more vivid shades. You may elect to have your letterhead printed on patterned paper, such as speckled or marbleized. These are readily available in most areas and if need be can ship within a day or two. Specialty uncoated papers include finishes such as vellum, smooth, linen, laid, cotton, parchment and column. Each has its advantages and disadvantages and should be considered carefully. You may also choose letterhead that has a watermark on each sheet.

• Pantone (PMS) Inks

  If matching color to envelopes and company branding must be exact, choose Pantone colors. Inks in some Pantone colors are available pre-mixed, but any Pantone color can be mixed to order. Choosing to print your letterhead with one or more Pantone colors is more expensive; however it may be a good way for your company to stand out.

• Metallic Inks

  To get a special shine or metallic look for the printing on your letterhead, one way to go is metallic ink. However, it's best to use these inks on coated paper, and this is rare with letterhead stocks. On uncoated stock, the metallic ink will soak into the paper and will probably not look shiny at all.

• Foil Printing

  If you really want your logo or other graphics to have a metallic look, foil stamping is the better choice. Foil stamping does not use ink at all; it uses a custom metal plate (or die) that comes in contact with foil. When the metal die is heated, the foil sticks to the letterhead, making a metallic imprint of your logo or graphics. There are hundreds of metallic, colored or holographic foils on the market to give your letterhead the look you have in mind.

• Embossing

  Embossing is a technique that creates a raised design on paper. Your letterhead is placed between two parts of a custom die. The two pieces are then pressed together, while applying heat. The resulting raised area gives the letterhead a distinctive, elegant appearance

Letterhead Design Styles

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Corporate Layouts: The following two designs showcase some letterhead templates that are appropriate for corporate use. Contact information is generally printed in the header or footer section. A company logo is a crucial design element on all corporate style letterhead.

These designs also demonstrate how a real estate agent or consultants can integrate a thumbnail portrait-style photograph. A personal photograph has the potential to make prospective clients feel more comfortable, as if they know you, before the first face-to-face meeting. Sometimes a faded photo in the background (as seen on the right) can have a warm appeal.



Traditional Layouts: These two examples work well as either businesses or personal letterhead. The classical-style designs communicate simplicity and established values. They are very attractive alternatives to corporate styles.

Casual Designs with Full Color Printing: Utilize the economic advantages of a professional high-volume printer and then imprint any kind of information with your own printer.

You'll get terrific recognition with these styles because they are so colorful and unique. You can put anything on this letterhead. Use it as personal stationery, for party invitations, announcements and advertisements.



Coversheets & Forms:
Don't waste valuable time printing a background graphic for each new task. Printing a “master document” ahead of time will save you time, effort and money. Additionally, a pre-printed Master from a professional printer will be of higher quality.

Printing estimate forms, packing slips, reminder letters in advance means you always send customers and vendors paperwork unique to you or your company.