Snail Mail Madness: Design, Layout, and No-No's.

So, let's talk about Post Office (po) "Rules". If you're rebellious, like me, then you love the saying of "Rules are made to be broken!" However, if you want to ensure your letter a) gets delivered, b) in a timely manner, and c) without extra postage, then it's ideal you follow these tips.

First and foremost, make sure the address is LEGIBLE, and surrounded by plenty of white space. I believe on my Simple Samples page, I write about Keeping It Simple. This is a "golden rule" of graphic design I learned in college. Whenever you're designing something, especially if starting out, it really is best to follow this advice. Less stressful, and when it comes to the po, very important.

Here a some great examples of lovely envelopes where the address is clear:

1. big script name in marker; address to the right (covered up by the pen)

2. brush-type lettering; address below

3. fun outlined name (Bone alpha), area outside filled in with color; address below

4. fun design to the left (which, is actually my name! It's just overlapping letters, written in a fun manner -- more about this below); address typed to the right.

5. Name done with stamps; address written in script penmanship.

6. outline block-type lettering, filled in with color; address below *

*I included this example (6.) to show a bit of a "no-no" -- it's best to have about 1/2" space from the bottom to allow for the bar code for scanning. I'm not quite sure how it works, (you could probably look it up), but I do know this interferes. I try to do this with the address, however at times, I'm still guilty of covering that area with designs.

All these samples are focusing on the name, and each are lovely.

Now, to contrast, here are some BAD examples of cluttered envelopes

(all of which are mine, btw) 😣:

I'm almost embarrassed to post these, as I think they're awful because of the cluttered nature. At the time, I found them fun, but now they're just cringe-worthy. (Yikes!)

Top Left: this was a practice sheet I converted into a handmade env. Yes, it might be a bit nice and fun, but where the heck is the address?? It was sent locally, so that's most likely why it went through the mail ok.

Top Middle: Not as bad as the other, but still too cluttered. It too was a sheet I converted: I tried lettering fall terms, and at the time, I thought there was enough space for the address. I also unintentionally included extra postage, but that was because of the stamp.

Top Right: This is bicycle themed wrapping paper I sent to myself. I lettered the address in a curve around one of the tires, and you can clearly see how po'd the PO got! Not only did they mark it up, but extra postage was required. (#lessonlearned)

Bottom Left: Another practice sheet. Again, not as bad as the one above, but still not ideal.

Bottom Middle: So, I loved this one, AND I thought I was doing "good" by adhering the address on separate sheets of torn paper glued on. This too was sent locally, however, the recipient didn't receive it til over 2 months later.

Bottom Right: Now this one has potential...If I had just stamped the circles only on the left side and/or top, then addressing below it, leaving plenty of white space. It would have been perfect. But not only is the address hard to locate, it's on a curve, and the zip is too close to the bottom.

(I just hope she did in fact receive it!)

And here is my attempt to "fix" it (wish the color would have matched). This would be acceptable to send if the design was like this vs all over.

This is good segue to discussing Decorating Your Envelope.

But first, let's talk a bit about 3d elements. (from the Bottom Middle example above)

I'm "guilty" (if you will) of adding 3d embellishments, as I find them fun, however, you need to be very careful when adhering anything to your envelope, ESPECIALLY if it's the address.

I received this envelope below, that almost didn't make. I'm sure the creator had great, clever intentions, but I took pics to show her, for future reference, as I'd want to know. (NO criticism here, just trying to help!) Plus, I've heard that they go through very fast machines that can easily tear the paper.

The light green paper I'm lifting with my finger is my address. It almost seemed like a post-it note, but I'm betting it either wasn't pasted down securely, or the weather elements altered it.

The other magazine-type paper I'm lifting next, also shows how it too wasn't secured. That one is not nearly as bad as the one with my address. (Had it fallen off, it would have been returned to her, if she included a return address).

This is how it arrived to me. It was falling apart so much it had to be put in a separate env. by the po. (I'm surprised they didn't try to charge extra postage!)

I personally have nothing against adding 3d pieces to our mail art, however, i just want to stress again to make sure they are pasted on VERY securely. Even if you have new stickers, they may not be as sticky as you think. So, if you are going to add any extras, make sure it's NOT the address. And make sure to include a return address as well.

Ok, that said, onto Designs.

Decorated Envelopes

There are SO many fun ideas for either drawing, painting, or decorating envelopes (hello Pinterest!) If you chose to do this vs. focusing on lettering (or in addition to), just remember to follow the guidelines already discussed above.

Here are some examples, both my creations and ones I've received:

Front and back. This was a failed attempt at a background for a lettering piece, so I turned it into an env. Plenty of clear space for the address. And notice the return address (however, now I do those more clearly too, and facing the correct way).

Before pieces. The one of the left is a folded pen practice sheet (walnut ink) converted, however, there needs to be more white space (preferably). The craft one in the middle was done using a Pentel brush pen. The last 3 on the right are decorated with acrylic paints.

July 4th themed. Left: The address is slightly too close to the bottom, however, plenty of space between that and the red design. The one on the right is actually the back of an env, but I thought it'd make a perfect design for the front. (Rubber stamps for the stars)

Left: A decorated lettered piece to match the insert. The whole design is on the left, leaving plenty of room on the right. Right: Decorated top & bottom with plenty of space for addressing.

Left: A decorated design filling most of the envelope. Ideally, I'd leave even more space for the address, however, this works! Right: Halloween envies are always super fun. This has the top & left sides drawn on an awesome magenta plum colored env. with one of those fun iridescent stamps. Great colors.

Left: This is a 3d piece (watercolor hearts) I used to cover up a mistake I made with the env., in order to reuse vs. just tossing. Not bad and stayed on! Right: Lovely border around the name and address.