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My new SU envelope punch board should be here tomorrow, and I've been sitting here thinking about making cool envelopes out of dsp to match my cards. I got to wondering about mailing them. I know I would have to use labels for the address and return address, but will the patterned paper cause a problem with the sorting equipment at the post office.
No, not at all. Another way to use pattern or dark paper is to cut a window in it using your die cutting machine. Then use a piece of lighter paper or matching pastel paper adhered to the inside. The only thing I did find is that often times the weight of the designer paper is heavier. That is not a problem if you don't mind paying the extra postage. Metering and sorting have never been a problem.
My question is: What weight of paper do you use for mailing the envelopes if you don't want to use patterned papers?
I'd like to use plain white copy paper; not sure if I can use plain white copy paper?
Thanks,
Kelli
I would think copy paper would work fine, unless you had some really pokey type embellishments that could tear it. But would copy paper be cheaper than buying envelopes?
My question is: What weight of paper do you use for mailing the envelopes if you don't want to use patterned papers?
I'd like to use plain white copy paper; not sure if I can use plain white copy paper?
Thanks,
Kelli
Kelli, I don't have any, but I think the SU designer 2 sided pattern paper, and other "expensive" pattern paper is kind of heavyweight.
My favorite paper to use for envelopes is the patterned paper you get in the big "stacks" at places like Hobby Lobby and Michaels. It is patterned on one side, and white on the other. You usually get a huge amount, like 180 sheets for $19.99, cheaper if on sale or with a coupon. The weight is just right for envelopes I think.
Some of the patterns are good for layering for cards, and the ones that I don't like for cards, I use to make envelopes. You can put the pattern on the outside and use a label, or make the white outside, with the pattern inside for a pretty look.
I don't think copy paper would really be heavy enough for envelopes, but that's just my opinion. The paper in the stack packs is heavier than copy paper, but less heavy than the more expensive patterned papers.
__________________ Bugga in OK
"Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible." Dalai Lama
There was just chatter about this on our SU demo group today! Here's what USPS' requirements are. When in doubt, you can take one in to have them check it out before you start sending a bunch, or mail one to yourself to see how it holds up. It's great too if you forget and you get excited about seeing your awesome creation in your mailbox a few days later.
I've made envelopes for years and have a tutorial on SCS called any sized envelope. The easiest way, although it requires a postage scale is to go to USPS.com, choose calculate postage and fill in the options. So far, no issues that I am aware of. I love using all that paper I bought that I have no use for. Typing paper works fine if you have no heavy embellishments or heavy thickness. Otherwise my preference is designer paper. I sometimes put the pattern inside if the paper is single sided. If you use larger flowers and metals and brads you may not want to use typing paper. Kitty747 had a great tutorial on her blog for handling those too. I think you will love making your own. No more purchasing envelopes. It's well worth the extra .25 if necessary.
I always use copy paper to make envelopes if it's an odd size. But I have never tested copy paper with pokey embellishments. Usually the copy-paper envelopes I make hold 4 flat pieces of 4 x 6" heavyweight (Papertrey) cardstock packaged in a plastic baggie (the kind that sometimes holds clear stamp sets). So the envelope is holding something of average thickness (4 layers of cardstock plus a baggie). But nothing with a bow or anything.
edited to add:
Dianne,
In the US, the postal machines will usually print a bar code on the front bottom right corner of the envelope and a neon bar code on the back of the envelope. Other machines will usually stick on a bar-code label (which is easy to peel off) if the patterned paper interferes too much with the barcode that is printed on the front.
Last edited by SophieLaFontaine; 09-05-2013 at 09:47 PM..
Thanks everybody for all the feedback! Got my new toy today, and made a couple of dsp envelopes, so we'll see what happens. It sounds like there shouldn't be a problem.
For a really "wow" envelope, make your envie with patterned paper, and then use white label paper to make your address label with this darling envelope sentiment stamp set:
Hand made envelopes
