Business Stationery Questions

What type of business orders do you do?
We specialize in letterhead, business cards, corporate announcements and event invitations. Visit the GENERAL section  to evaluate the printing processes. See our HOLIDAY section for a word about corporate holiday cards.

How long do business orders take?
Typically three weeks unless custom artwork is created. Press proofs will add two weeks onto the normal turn-around time and will cost additional.

Can I use a logo? 
Yes. Most major printing companies will accept camera-ready art which can be used to create a die for engraving or blind embossing. Remember that printing costs increase significantly with more than two colors. Consult with your local stationer to determine the appropriate file format to save your image. Images must be of high resolution to separate colors to create engraving dies.

A further word on logos!
A logo can distinguish your stationery, but can also make it prohibitively expensive.  Many graphic designers are often unaware that their "work of art" cannot be engraved.  Each color requires a separate die plate and press run.  A four-color engraved letterhead sheet could end up costing you well over $2.00 a sheet.   If a colorful and intricate logo is what you are seeking, you will generally have to forego engraving.  If you interested in engraved or thermography letterhead, advise your logo designer before they create their artwork.  Blind-embossing and a single color ink can often create an eye-catching logo design. 

I want to re-design my business stationery wardrobe. Can you do this for me? Saint Clair can suggest different text layouts and printing effects. Also, you can use Saint Clair's copyright free clipart as part of the overall design. We can recommend several local graphic artists for jobs requiring "from scratch" ideas and logo design, as well as referrals for website design.

Do you offer corporate gifts? 
Yes. We have many leather and metal accessories suitable for engraving or gold stamping. We can refer you to a corporate gift distributor for any premium-type items (e.g. pens with logo).

It’s difficult to leave my office. Do you have a corporate sales staff?
Yes. We can visit your office at your convenience. It is always recommended to make an appointment for any in-store consultations. We also have a Business Stationery Kit that we would be happy to send you to acquaint you with a few of the options that are available to create effective and tasteful business correspondence. Please e-mail us at info@theresesaintclair.com or call (203-661-2927) to set up an appointment or order your Business Stationery Kit.

What are the factors I should consider when choosing new stationery?
Stationery is public relations! The quality of your business card will often determine whether a potential client wishes to schedule a follow-up meeting. A tastefully designed business card on quality paper stock is probably your single most important public relations investment.

Simplicity and balance are essential when selecting your suite of stationery products. Too many font styles or unusual color combinations are distracting. The style of your letterhead paper should mimic the design of your business cards. Font styles – generally no more than two – should be identical on all your business stationery. Furthermore, if you choose to center-align your logo on your letterhead paper, then your business card also should reflect that positioning. Raised printing (engraving or thermography) is always preferable to flat printing. While engraved stationery is more expensive, it has a look and feel that is unmatched by any other form of printing.

How do I select the appropriate stationery for the occasion?
A balanced stationery ensemble features the same paper stock, identical fonts on each form of correspondence and consistency in the placement of text and/or logos. Found below are the traditional forms of correspondence found in a business person’s ensemble:

• A business card on 64 and preferably 96 pound paper stock;

• Letterhead stationery on 8 ½ by 11 inch paper with matching envelope;

• Monarch stationery (7 ¼ by 10 ½ inch paper) is used for personal messages to clients, business associates or employees. This form of correspondence is usually hand-written.

• An announcement card on 96 pound card stock.

When selecting one’s stationery, it is important to make sure that the paper stock you have chosen is readily available in different weights. There is nothing worse than changing your paper stock frequently because a manufacturer has discontinued its use. Mixing your letterhead paper with different paper stock for the second page is simply not acceptable. Consistency in promoting your brand on quality stationery reinforces your image in the market.

Is paper weight important and what does it mean?
When people refer to 24 or 28 pound paper, it  refers to the weight of uncut paper sheets which is the equivalent of four reams of paper (2,000 sheets of paper). In other words, 2,000 sheets of 24 pound paper would weigh 24 pounds. Two and even three-ply paper is a somewhat archaic term that refers to paper of various weights (normally 32 pounds) being glued together to make a heavier paper stock. Modern paper production processes now allow manufacturers to produce a far wider variety of paper weights.

The typical paper one generally finds in a copy machine or laser printer is 20 pounds. This paper is adequate for most internal office functions. However, letterhead stationery should be no less than 24 pounds and ideally 28 or 32 pounds. Card stock for business cards should be no less than 64 pounds and preferably 96 pounds. Weight does make a difference and people tend to pay more attention to text printed on heavier paper stock.

I’m tired of conventional business cards. Can’t I do something wild?
Sure. Certain businesses such as graphic designers or advertising consultants may wish to “push the envelope” with an unconventional design or color combination. While good taste and consistency with the rest of your stationery ensemble should remain at the forefront of your planning, there are a number of ways to stand out from the crowd. The use of vellum or colored paper stock can add a little flair to your business card. For more traditionalists we suggest using an oversize card or simply run the text vertically rather than horizontally. However, for most businesses, a conservative approach is recommended.

Do some papers work better with a laser printer? 
Superior hand-worked paper is meant to be written on with a fountain pen or rollerball pen. The paper absorbs the ink to create a distinctive personalized impression. This same paper is not at all suited to laser or ink-jet printers since the ink/powder tends to spread so that letters appear blurred. Furthermore, this sensitive paper stock often picks up the residue of previous impressions on the printing drum. Fortunately, Crane and other paper manufacturers place a finish over most of their business paper stock to eliminate this problem. Twenty-eight and 32 pound paper with a “NIP” finish (Non Impact Printer) works fine with most lasers. Remember, laser printers generate significant heat and may melt low quality thermography inks. Paper stock up to 64 pounds can be hand fed through most quality laser printers. For envelopes and heavier paper stock it is wise to avoid having the paper go fully around the drum.

How do costs compare between engraved and flat printed stationery? 
A national printing chain will print 250 business cards with color ink (flat printing) in one of 10 basic designs for $42.00. A similar size order of engraved business cards on 100% cotton paper stock from Crane is approximately $188.00 including the cost of the die plate (the die can be used again for additional runs). 250 business cards that are thermographed by Crane would cost approximately $112.00 plus shipping and handling expenses. (Note: Pricing information is current as of 3/1/2005 but may vary depending on the type of paper stock selected, colors used in the selection of dies and other considerations)

While this “cost differential” may seem high, the impression made by a quality business card is worth every penny. A small newspaper ad in a local newspaper costs between $200 and $400. Doesn’t it make sense to spend a similar amount on your primary interface with a potential client?

With Crane and other quality printing companies, you can complete your stationery ensemble using the same paper stock (not often possible with national chains). Your stationer can help you choose from a variety of paper and printing options to achieve the highest quality ensemble for your budget.