5 Ways To Address An Envelope
Choosing the appropriate way to address an envelope is essential for the arrival and appearance of your mailpieces. When deciding how to address an envelope for mailing, it can be challenging to decide on a method. There are many ways to address an envelope — today, we will look at five different methods. We hope these five methods will help you decide which is best for you!
How to Properly Address an Envelope for Mailing
Before discussing the five methods of addressing an envelope, let’s first look at the proper way to write the address and return address on an envelope. No matter the envelope or method you choose, the format will always remain the same:
Proper Address Format Example:
John Smith
1234 Street Road, Apt. 101
City, State, ZIP Code
Ensure you have the proper address of the recipient (with ZIP Code) before sending. Using the appropriate format is essential, as improperly addressing an envelope can cause a mailpiece to be returned or lost during processing.
A free “ZIP Code Lookup Tool” is available on the United States Postal Service website, as well as a “Postage Calculator” for knowing the proper amount of postage to use for your mailpiece.
The recipient’s address will always be written at the very center of the envelope. Your return address will always be written on the envelope in the upper-left-hand corner in the same standard format; only this will be the sender’s address. Postage Stamps will always be affixed on the upper-right-hand corner of the envelope.
1. Handwritten
The simplest way to address an envelope to a friend or family member for personal mail is to write the address on the front side of the envelope using a black pen or permanent marker. Handwriting the address when writingto a family member or friend is generally preferred, as this adds a personal touch to the mail.
When deciding how to address an envelope for business mail, however, other methods are usually selected.
2. Direct Printing
When addressing an envelope for business mail, it is generally preferred to print the address on the envelope using an Inkjet or Laser Printer. Direct printing can be performed using basic software such as Microsoft Word. Still, other software is available specifically for printing addresses on envelopes, making the process a little more straightforward.
While this method can also be used to address personal mail, this method of addressing an envelope tends to look a lot more professional than handwriting. It also lets you include a logo with your return address, adding brand recognition to your mail.
3. Addressing Envelopes Using Labels
Similar to method two, labels can be used for both personal or business use. Labels can be made and ordered, or direct printing can be used with blank labels such as Avery products.
Inkjet/Laser Printer labels are generally available in many shapes and sizes with accompanying software, making the process relatively simple to customize and print on them. Labels can also address packages, making them versatile for different mail, especially for businesses!
4. Get Creative with Mail Art
This method is another one great for addressing personal mail to friends and family. We already talked about handwriting an address. Taking it a step further by using different styles, art supplies, papers, wax seals, or stickers can add a beautiful touch to envelopes!
Searching the internet for “Mail Art Inspiration” will bring up many options to get those creative juices flowing and help you make your mail pop! As long as all of the standard address formatting on the envelope is followed, you can be as creative as you would like! Keep in mind any extra weight and postage charges that adding wax seals or other fixtures to your mail may entail.
5. Hire a Professional Calligrapher
Suppose you want to ensure that your envelopes look absolutely flawless for invitations to something like a Wedding or Anniversary Celebration. In that case, you may want to consider hiring a professional Calligrapher! This will cost some extra money, but it will save you the labor of addressing your own envelopes while making them look amazing!
Of course, there is always the DIY option to use stencils or learn Calligraphy yourself, but we thought this method was one well worth mentioning! Hiring a professional Calligrapher for special occasions to address envelopes will ensure perfect-looking mail.
Selecting suitable envelopes and papers for special events is also vital to your mailpieces’ overall look and feel!
Conclusion
We’ve discussed five different ways of addressing an envelope for both business and personal mail. Selecting the best way for mailing largely depends on the occasion of the mail being sent. Some situations may call for a more professional method of addressing, like a business letter. In contrast, others call for a more creative, hand-lettered mailpiece.
No matter the method you choose for addressing an envelope, the format is by far the most critical part (as well as sufficient postage) in making sure your next letter, bill, invoice, or invitation arrives safely and looks great! We also touched on the proper format so that your mail will not get lost or returned during delivery.
