A letterhead is a printed heading on a sheet of paper that usually contains your business name, logo, address, and contact details. It is an essential part of your business identity and branding. A well-designed letterhead can positively impact your clients, partners, and suppliers. It can also convey your professionalism, credibility, and personality.
In this article, we will discuss the elements of effective letterheads designs, how to design your own letterhead using online tools or software, and some printing considerations to ensure the best quality for your custom letterhead. We will also show you some examples of the best letterhead designs for different types of businesses and industries that you can find on PrintSafari, the online printing company offering high-quality and affordable printing services.
Elements of an Effective Letterhead
A letterhead design should include the following elements to make a good impression on your recipients:
1. Company logo
Your logo is the most recognizable element of your brand, and it should be placed prominently on your letterhead design. Your logo should be clear, consistent, and aligned with your brand personality and values. You can also use your own logo as a watermark or background image for your letterhead templates to create a visual impact.
2. Contact information
Your contact information should be easy to find and read on your letterhead. You should include your company name, address, phone number, email address, and website URL. Add your social media handles or icons if you want to promote your online presence. Furthermore, use different fonts, colors, or styles to highlight your business correspondence information and make it stand out from the rest of the text.
3. Tagline or slogan
A tagline or slogan is a short phrase that summarizes your company’s mission, vision, or value proposition. A tagline or slogan can help you communicate your brand message and differentiate yourself from competitors. You can place your tagline or slogan under or next to your logo or use it as a header or footer for your letterhead design.
4. Color scheme and typography
Your letterhead’s color scheme and typography should match your brand identity and create a harmonious look. Use colors that are appropriate for your industry, target audience, and tone of voice. You should also choose fonts that are legible, professional, and consistent with your brand personality. Besides, use different font sizes, weights, or styles to create contrast and hierarchy in your text.
5. Supporting graphics or images
You can use supporting graphics or images to enhance the visual appeal of your letterhead design and reinforce your brand identity. Use icons, shapes, lines, borders, or patterns to create a unique design for your letterhead. You can also use photos, illustrations, or infographics to illustrate your products, services, or achievements on your letterhead.
Designing Your Letterhead
Designing your own business letterhead can be easy and fun if you follow these steps:
Choosing the right paper size and orientation
The standard letterhead paper sizes are 8.5 x 11 inches and 8.5 x 14 inches. Besides you can also use other paper sizes depending on your preference and purpose. The orientation of your letterhead templates can be either portrait or landscape, depending on the layout and content of your letterhead design.
Selecting appropriate software or online design tools
You can use various software or online design tools to create your own letterhead design. Some of the popular options are Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Canva, Crello, etc. These tools offer templates, features, and functions to help you easily and quickly design your letterhead templates. Among them, Canva has many free letterhead templates you can customize and use for your business.
For more customized, professional letterhead design and printing, you can also explore free letterhead templates at PrintSafari. We have a team of graphic designers who can draw out your thoughts into reality. Contact us and hire our professional graphic designer to create your custom business letterhead.
Incorporating your brand elements effectively
Effectively incorporate your brand elements on your custom letterhead, such as the company’s logo, contact information, tagline or slogan, color scheme, and typography. Place them strategically on your custom letterhead design to create a balanced, attractive brand recognition. Furthermore, ensure they are consistent with your other marketing materials, such as business cards, envelopes, brochures, etc.
Balancing simplicity and Creativity
Balance simplicity and creativity when designing your business letterhead. Avoid cluttering your business letterhead with too many elements or colors that might distract or confuse your recipients. Also, avoid using generic or boring designs that might fail to capture their attention or interest. You should aim for a simple but creative design that reflects your brand identity and personality.
Ensuring readability and legibility
Ensure that the text on your business letterhead design is readable and legible for your recipients. Use clear and concise language that conveys your message effectively. Also, use appropriate font sizes, colors, and styles that make the text easy to read and understand. You should avoid using too many fonts or colors that might create a messy or unprofessional look.
Printing Considerations for Letterheads
Compatibility with Laser and Inkjet Printers
One of the main factors to consider when printing business letterheads is compatibility with laser and inkjet printers. Laser printers use heat and toner to create images on paper, while inkjet printers spray liquid ink on paper. Both types of printers have different advantages and disadvantages and may affect the quality and appearance of your letterhead decorative element.
Laser printers are faster, more reliable, and more cost-effective in the long run. They produce sharp, crisp text and graphics, ideal for formal and official documents. However, laser printers may not be able to handle some special paper stocks or finishes, such as textured, glossy, or metallic papers. They may also cause paper curling or toner smudging if the paper is unsuitable for high temperatures.
Inkjet printers are more versatile, affordable, and suitable for creative and colorful designs. They can print on various paper stocks and finishes, including photo paper, canvas, and vinyl. They can also produce vibrant and rich colors, which are great for marketing and promotional materials. However, inkjet printers are slower, less durable, and more expensive to maintain. They may also cause ink bleeding or fading if the paper is incompatible with the ink type or quality.
Importance of Using Appropriate Ink Density
Another factor to consider when printing business letterhead design is the importance of using appropriate ink density. Ink density refers to the amount of ink that is applied to a given area of paper. It affects the brightness, contrast, and saturation of the colors on your letterhead design.
If the ink density is too low, your business letterhead design may look dull, faded, or washed out. They may also lose some details or clarity in the text or graphics. If the ink density is too high, your letterhead design may look dark, muddy, or oversaturated. They may also cause ink bleeding or smudging on the paper or other documents.
PrintSafari’s Guarantee for High-quality Printing
At PrintSafari, we guarantee high-quality printing for your letterheads. We use state-of-the-art printing technology and equipment to ensure your letterhead design elements are printed with optimal ink density and accuracy. We also offer a wide range of paper stocks and finishes to suit your needs and preferences. Whether you want a classic matte or glossy finish, we have it all.
The Best Letterhead Templates for Your Business
If you need inspiration or guidance for designing your business letterhead, you can check out some of the best designs on PrintSafari. We have a variety of business correspondence letterhead templates that you can customize according to your needs and preferences. You can also upload your own design if you have one.
Here are some business letterhead example designs and templates at PrintSafari:
Traditional and Classic Letterhead Designs
These simple, elegant, and timeless letterhead examples feature a clear business logo, a formal font, and a neutral color scheme. They are suitable for businesses that want to convey trustworthiness, reliability, and authority, such as law firms, accounting firms, or financial institutions.
Modern and Minimalist Letterhead Designs
These sleek, sophisticated, and trendy letterhead examples feature a minimal logo, a sans-serif font, and a monochrome color scheme. They are suitable for businesses that want to convey innovation, efficiency, and modernity, such as tech companies, startups, or consulting firms.
Creative and Unique Letterhead Design
These letterhead design could be fun, playful, and original that features a distinctive logo, a decorative font, and a colorful color scheme. They are suitable for businesses that want to convey creativity, personality, and uniqueness, such as graphic design agencies, art studios, or entertainment companies.
Industry-specific Letterhead Design
These are customized, relevant and appealing letterhead design examples that feature a logo, a font, and a color scheme that match the industry or niche of the business. They are suitable for businesses that want to convey expertise, relevance, and differentiation, such as healthcare providers, educational institutions, or hospitality services.
At PrintSafari, we can help you create the best letterhead design for your business. We also have a variety of templates and examples that you can use as inspiration or reference. Whether you want a traditional and classic design or a creative and unique design, we have it all.
PrintSafari: Your Online Printing Partner for Own Business Letterhead
PrintSafari offers high-quality and affordable printing services for all your business needs. Whether you need to print personal letterheads, business cards, internal memos, flyers, brochures, posters, banners, or stickers, we have you covered.
We use premium paper stocks and eco-friendly inks to ensure your prints are durable and vibrant. We also offer fast turnaround times and free shipping on most orders. You can contact us for a custom quote.
To design and print your letterheads from PrintSafari, visit our website and choose your product, size, quantity, paper type, finishing options, and design template. You can also upload your own letterhead design if you have one. Then, add your product to the cart and proceed to checkout.
We will print your order within 24 hours and ship it to you within 3-5 business days.
Order your letterheads from PrintSafari today, and get ready to impress your clients with your professional and stylish prints!
Frequently Asked Questions
What to include in letterheads?
A letterhead is a document template that contains your company’s contact information and branding, with space for a custom message. A letterhead can be used for official business communications with customers, vendors, creditors, or other stakeholders.
Can I make my own letterhead template?
Yes, you can make your own letterhead template using a design tool like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Canva, etc. These tools offers a variety of professional letterhead templates that you can customize with your own logo, colors, fonts, and content.
What makes a good letterhead design?
A good letterhead design is one that communicates your brand identity effectively and consistently across different media. A good letterhead design should also be simple, clean, and easy to read.
What is a letterhead in graphic design?
A letterhead is a type of graphic design that involves creating a document template that contains your company’s contact information and branding. A letterhead is used for official communication with various audiences and serves as a marketing opportunity and a credibility booster for your business.
How can I make my professional letterhead beautiful?
There are many ways to make your professional letterhead beautiful and stand out from the crowd. Here are some ideas:
Use a solid background color for your letters: This can create a striking contrast with your logo and text and make your message more visible.
Use a graphic element or an icon: This can add some visual interest and personality to your letterhead and reinforce your brand identity.
Use a border or a divider: This can help separate different sections of your letterhead and create a more organized and elegant look.
Use a watermark or a pattern: This can add some texture and depth to your letterhead and make it more unique and memorable.
