A lot of times in business we do things without thinking why. We just know that’s how “it’s done.” But everything that’s “just done” emerges for a reason. And at the time, it’s a good one. Understand your old standard, and from there, you can be inventive. The Babylonians, for example, had a pretty good reason for covering clay tablet messages in a layer of more protective clay. Presumably, so their marketing campaigns could arrive across town intact. They didn’t know about #10 custom-printed envelopes.
Why Are #10 Custom-Printed Envelopes So Popular?
We’re still figuring out ways to get all our words from here to there. And the most common business correspondence envelope out there today is the #10 custom printed envelope. #10s are blowing out Internet searches, and they’re probably blowing out of your supply cabinet, too. Why do we use them so much? What makes them the belle of the office supply ball?
Reason 1: They Simply Work
The simple answer is, #10 envelopes work perfectly for most direct mail strategies — especially when they’re custom printed to show off your organization. They’re your go-to, stock-up, customize-’em-while-they’re-hot, everyday envelope.
The size of a #10 envelope is 4 ⅛” x 9 ½”. If you take a standard business-sized sheet of paper and fold it “burrito-style” into perfect, professional thirds, you get an 8 ½” x 3 ⅔” piece of paper. It even includes a little extra room for the thickness of multiple pages. (A problem we assume the Babylonians didn’t have.)
That’s one reason to keep lots of #10s on hand.
Reason 2: Affordability
They’re perfect for a bulk mail rate. #10 envelopes are used for most common professional needs, including:
- Bills
- Checks
- Statements
- Campaigns
- Special offers
- Welcome letters
- Holiday greetings
- Year-end and fiscal reports
Reason 3: Flexibility
They’re also, creatively speaking, super flexible. You can add more bells and whistles, without necessarily adding postage costs. They’re made for machine insertion and have some wiggle room, so why not be creative? Get more bang for your buck. For example, you might put together:
- A personal note with an overdue bill
- A buck slip about a special offer with a year-end report
- Next semester’s youth group calendar with the Christmas letter
Reason 4: Customizability
Finally, they’re just so darn easy to customize. The key to getting your mail opened is for your reader to:
- Get it secure and intact
- Recognize a brand
- Know what to expect
- Register interest
Colors, windows, and security tints keep your message safe and let your reader know what you’re about (numbers 1-2). But branding your envelopes with a logo or graphic is really what packs the mailbox punch. A custom-printed #10 envelope hits points 1-4.
#10 envelopes are your simplest starting point. They welcome creativity while staying professional. When you’re ready to see what 100 years of envelope experience can do for a great price, get in touch with Letter Jacket!
