First Day Cover #6 3/4 Envelope Supplier

I would like to start servicing first day covers but I am having trouble finding quality #6 3/4 envelopes. If anyone knows or uses a supplier of high quality #6 3/4 envelopes, I would greatly appreciate it if they could pass the name along.


Also if anyone has a particular brand and type of envelope that they are happy with that would also be appreciated.
Thanks,

There are a bunch of considerations in choosing an FDC envelope.
First and foremost is longevity. The kind you buy in the office supply store ("bond" envelopes in boxes of 500) won't do. They will dry and yellow over time, plus the inex[ensive glue will soak through and stain the back and front. Choose a rag content envelope. They come in rag content of 25%, 50% and 100%. 100% is the most expensive. They even come in recycled form. Paper "weight" is important. Choose 24# bond or 60# text.

Your local office supply store won't have them. Although 6 3/4 is a standard size, there isn't much call for 6 6/4 made from "fine paper:.

A small stationery shop might be able to help you. If there is a "real" printing company (not a copy shop or quick printer) in your area, they may be willing to order some for you. Be prepared to pay a huge premium using this route.

The best bet is online, search for envelope manufacturers. They will probably not have them in stock, but can make them for you. That way you will have choice of papers.

In addition to rag content, you need to consider finish. Find bond papers come in smooth and vellum (fuzzy) finishes, some also come in a "pebble" finish. The various finishes react differently to different printing methods, so be sure to investigate that first.

In purchasing rag content papers brand is usually not importatnt, howver Strathmore and Crane are quality manufactures.

If you are doing a small quantity, you might consider making the envelopes youself out of flat sheets. You can print them first then cut and glue them. Take a blank one apart to see how they are made then you can design your own cutout. Usually it requires an 11"x17" sheet to do it well, but it is possible on smaller sizes. The same paper I talked about before is more easily available in flat sizes.

Good luck!

wc

vdemola, Greetings:

http://okpaper.com/ ... paper wholesaler I've used to good advantage ...

http://okpaper.com/images/docs/pric...nvelopes.pdf ... carries Strathmore and Crane (as per wc)

If you want to experiment with artisanal printing:

http://www.artpaper.com/ ... suppliers of papers for the fine arts

If you hop on the ferry (Free At Last!) (<== insider pun) you'll find a zillion art supply & wedding planner joints that'll let you touch the stuff and buy onesy-twosy samples.

http://www.paper-source.com/ ... the folks up on Third Avenue are very nice, but they've got two stores closer to you

Cheers,

/s/ ikeyPikey

Thanks for the information and advice.

Similar question on another forum yielded this link:

http://www.uscs.org/online-store/cover-supplies/

blcjr, that was a very helpful link. I purchased 100, and will report back on their quality. Thank you!

I'll second bljr's recommndation. Finest quality, have used them for years.

Yes, the USCS covers recommended by blcjr are great. I ordered 100 (the minimum order), and at that order size they're still only $0.15 USD apiece.

They're of good construction, attractive, have an appealing texture, and take laser printing like a dream. The site claims that they are of archival quality, and if you take their word on this, I don't think there are better envelopes out there.


Back:




Printed example:




Edit: I should note that what you see on the printed example, around the printed portion, is not ink bleed — it's an intentional "torn paper" effect I added for artistic purposes. The edges are super-crisp under laser printing.