Letterhead and envelope layouts need to work as a functional document, not just a design — there has to be room for actual letter content, a signature, and in the case of envelopes, postal handling. Use this checklist before sending artwork for your letterhead and envelope order.
Logo File Quality
Use a vector logo file (AI, EPS or PDF) or a high-resolution image rather than a low-resolution file pulled from a website, since the logo will be reproduced clearly at full print size on both the letterhead and envelope.
Header and Footer Space
Keep the letterhead header (logo, company name) and footer (address, contact details, and any registration details your company chooses to include) compact enough to leave clear space in the middle of the page for the actual letter content. A header that takes up too much of the page forces every letter written on it to feel cramped.
Margins and Print Safety
Standard office printers have minimum margins they can print to — check that your letterhead design doesn't place text or logos too close to the edge of the page, where a standard printer might not be able to reproduce it.
Envelope Window and Return Address Placement
If you're using windowed envelopes where the recipient's address shows through a cut-out, make sure your envelope design's window position matches where the address will actually sit on the inserted letter. For standard (non-windowed) envelopes, keep the return address and logo in a consistent position, generally top-left or centred on the flap side.
Colour Consistency
If your brand colours need to match exactly across letterhead, envelope and other stationery like business cards, flag this before your file goes to print, since printed colour (CMYK) can shift slightly from how it appears on screen (RGB).
Quick Checklist
- Logo supplied as vector or high-resolution file.
- Header and footer leave enough clear space for actual letter content.
- No text or logo placed too close to the page edge.
- Envelope window position (if used) matches the letter's address placement.
- Brand colours flagged if they need to match existing stationery exactly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you help design the layout if I only have a logo?
Contact our team to discuss design support for your letterhead and envelope layout.
Do I need separate artwork files for the letterhead and envelope?
Yes, since they're different sizes and shapes, though they should be designed together for a consistent look — see Matching Envelopes to Your Letterhead.
What if my company details change after the design is approved?
Contact our team to update the artwork before your next print run, so the change carries across both letterhead and envelope together.
