Not to be confused with the word “stationary” which means unmoving, stationery serves as a visual expression of your company.  LIPPS defines stationery as business cards, letterhead, and envelopes and we take great pride in maintaining the consistent visual image of your company across all three pieces of stationery. 

Do I need stationery for my company? This question is often asked by the startup or small business owner.  One reason is that the owner doesn’t see themselves as a big company that sends out dozens of business letters each month or networks with numerous clients each week.  Another reason is that stationery is regard by some as just another cost of starting and running a business – a cost they would rather do without.

If you answer "‘Yes" to any of the following questions then you DO need stationery for your company.

• Will you meet new clients, customers, business associates, etc within the next week?
• Do you appreciate it when you ask someone for a business card and they actually have one?
• When I receive a letter on a business letterhead, are you impressed?
• Do you have an email address, website, mailing address, and/or phone number that you want someone to remember?

Here are some Do’s and Don’ts

If you're in a people facing business and/or you decide that you do need (not want - actually need) business cards and letterheads then there's a few pointers you might want to follow:

• DO NOT print your business cards or letterheads yourself. Not unless you're a qualified graphic designer. What appeals to your eye make look incredibly bad to your client
• DO carefully pick the type of paper you're going to use. Is it compatible with your printer for example?
• DO NOT crowd your letterhead or business card. The name of your business and contact details are all that you need there. Not your life history.
• DO remember that less is definitely more. Always leave some white space on your stationery.
• DO NOT (at least try not to) buy pre-printed letterheads with a standard graphic or layout. Hundreds of other companies may be using the same letterhead as you.