You print out your beautiful business letter, you proofread it – it’s perfect! It’s the most stunning business letter ever – and it only took five printings. Then you fold it and something goes terribly wrong. It won’t fit in the envelope.
A business letter on an 8.5 x 11 inch sheet is folded in thirds. Take the bottom edge of the stationery and fold it two-thirds of the way up (or one-third from the top). Then take the top edge of the stationery and fold it over, as if the bottom edge of the sheet is nestled in the top fold, and the top third is folded over and shielding it from harm. If you have trouble aiming for the two-thirds spot (I was fractionally challenged as a child), place the envelope next to the stationery as you are bringing up the bottom edge for the first fold.
Executives will sometimes have a smaller 7.5 x 10.5 inch personalized stationery called Monarch stationery. It too, is folded in thirds. (If you get a hand-written note from your chief executive on this, it’s usually because you have done something right.)
Place a business letter in the envelope with the open side facing the back of the envelope, so when the recipient slides it out, it opens toward them.
When placing a notecard in an envelope, place it fold side down, so the opening is at the top of the envelope. The front of the notecard should face the back of the envelope.
From the Culture and Manners Institute at http://www.cultureandmanners.com
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