5 envelope ideas for your next direct mail sale

By Sean Norris

The success of a direct mail marketing campaign depends on a number of factors: good copy, the right paper stock, attractive marketing collateral and more. But of all the components, it's hard to argue that the envelope is not the most important. It is the primary touchpoint, the first, and often only, impression the marketer gets to make with the recipient. It is your direct mail client's one chance to stand out amidst the 523 million mailpieces processed and delivered by the U.S. Postal Service each day.

That makes it critical to choose the right envelope for the job. And while that will vary from client to client and mailing to mailing, it helps to stay on top of envelope suppliers' latest offerings-to know what envelopes work and how to use them. Here are a few examples and ideas to get you started.

#1 Coin Envelopes
From Envelopes.com, Amityville, N.Y.

The specs

Open-end style
2.25x3.5" size
Flap placement on short-side of envelope

The lowdown

"This design makes it easy to fill the envelope without fear that any of the contents will fall out after the recipient opens the envelope," said Erin Richroath, marketing coordinator for Envelopes.com. "The #1 Coin Envelope may be small in size, but it is certainly big in style and functionality. The tiny coin envelopes are available in traditional kraft paper, as well as dozens of bold LUXColors and metallic options. The wide range of available colors expands the creative possibilities. #1 Coins are often custom-printed on and used as packaging for coins, keys, jewelry, small parts, stamps, seeds and favors."

Clear Envelopes
From EnvyPak, Marysville, Ohio

The specs