Designing office stationery to stand out

As any office knows, having proper supplies such as custom pocket folders, pens and document organizers is key to daily operations. However, there is one necessity that doesn’t just belong in the office – stationery.

Professional, well-designed stationery can speak volumes about a business to its clients, customers, vendors and the media. Fortunately, there are a few tips that will keep businesses’ letters from being tossed out as nothing more than junk mail.

First, business owners should identify how they want to portray themselves. Do they want their image to be serious? Fun? Bold? Adventurous? Once a tone has been decided, owners should make sure to keep other materials such as business cards, envelopes, postcards and brochures consistent with their letterhead, eHow.com advises.

If owners are facing a creative block, they should consider looking at the letters they receive. What grabs their attention and makes them want to continue reading? Conversely, what do they immediately throw away?

Finally, owners can start playing with colors and fonts. If individuals aren’t comfortable with their own design skills, it may be a good idea to search out a professional. Both graphic designers and print shops are good resources to begin with.