...but not in a jargon-fuelled, business-speak kind of way. I simply want to talk about this often ignored office item.
The curious thing about envelopes is that you buy them to send them away. So it is the person at the other end that deals with your choice of envelope. Think back to the number of times you have had a paper cut from trying to open an intransigent piece of mail, or struggled to peel open or tear a strip off an envelope.
Then there's the knotty question of post that arrives with split ends because the enclosure was a tad bulky, or damaged because the envelope was not rigid enough to protect the contents. The envelopes you send say something about your attention to detail.
Which is why you should choose your envelopes with care.
If you're hoping to make an impression, it makes sense to go for the Oxford Plus Fabric envelope range. They're a crisp white and feel good to the touch, and the paper for the smaller pockets and wallets has been upgraded from 110gsm to 120gsm.
Oxford's Armour gusset envelopes are designed for larger items, such as box files.
They're made of reinforced paper for extra security and have Peel and Seal closure that uses Power-Tac adhesive. There is also a good quality range of Plus Fabric Gussetted envelopes. Armour also do board-backed envelopes for more fragile post.
For heavier items you could try the New Guardian manilla envelopes.
Made from strong 130gsm paper, they have a discreet ribbed sheen to add a classy touch. There are 80 lines in this range to suit all purposes.
The great thing is that the Oxford Plus Fabric envelopes use paper from a sustainable source. In addition, Oxford's prestige business line and Heavyweight New Guardian envelopes have EU Eco-label accreditation.
If you'd like to go a step further in being eco-conscious, try Basildon Bond's recycled business envelopes. The white envelopes, which are are exceptionally bright and smooth, use 100gsm paper and the manilla lines use 90gsm. The window film in the envelope is made from corn, not petrochemicals, so the entire envelope can be recycled.
You can buy these envelopes in a range of shapes and sizes including; DL recycled envelopes, C5 recycled envelopes, C4 recycled envelopes, and in window and non-window envelopes, all with Peal and Seal closure. There's gusset and board-backed, too. If you use a mailing machine, there are window envelopes in a slightly oversized C5 and DL, with trapeze-style flaps for easy insertion.
So you'll see, I've been pushing the envelope. Just in case you're interested, the jargon refers to the 'flight envelope' or the upper and lower limits of conditions in which it is safe to fly: think Chuck Yeager and The Right Stuff. With that envelope you're testing the limits – maybe I've been doing that as well...
