Envelope Labels

Even though the internet has changed our mail habits considerably, we still have a lot of use for the country’s postal system. There are just still so many reasons where it works best to mail a message to someone else, rather than try to relay it properly in an e-mail. Or, in practical terms, when we have something specific, something physical, to give to someone, we really have to use the postal system to get that item from point A to point B.

When we do send something using the postal system, we almost always will use some sort of envelope in which to wrap it. And on that envelope will go the address information. While we can always just write out the address by hand, it often works best if we use envelope labels.

Maybe we have a lot of mail to put out, and addressing each and every envelope would be hard on a hand that might already have arthritis. Instead, by using envelope labels and setting up your mail list via your computer, you will then have little left to do other than peel off the label, stick it on the corresponding envelope and—voila!—it is addressed and ready to go.

Or maybe you are sending out packages, and you want to make sure that what you are sending gets to its proper destination. Your handwriting has never, unfortunately, been tops in penmanship, and you don’t want to chance the possibility that your handwritten address information will be read wrong. In this case, by using envelope labels and your computer program, you are making sure that your package will get to where it is going with absolutely no interruptions along the way.

Handwriting issues in general are one of the main reasons that make envelope labels a good choice when using the mail. The US postal system encourages electronic addressing of envelope labels for this very same reason—readability. The massive numbers of pieces of mail that go through each and every post office every single day make it next to impossible for a mistake not to be made on any given day, more than one a day, and with any particular piece of mail. You want to do everything in your power to see to it that your piece of mail has no issues on its trip. By using envelope labels and electronic addressing, you are giving your mail that important one extra bit of assurance that it will have a great journey, successfully reaching its proper destination.

Envelope labels are also a good way to indicate our address for return mail. Stick return envelope labels on each and every letter you put in the mail. Put one on all of your packages. For starters, they will identify to the recipient of that package who it is who has sent them something just as soon as it is received in their hands. Return envelope labels also help the postal system in the event something can not be delivered as it is addressed. That particular mail item comes back to the addressee only if there is a return envelope label. It’s just good plain old common sense to use an envelope label on it. You can personalize your envelope labels by adding an initial, or any sort of graphic that relates directly to you or a hobby or interest of yours. Add color, experiment with the font you use . . . while always, of course, making it a very readable font. You don’t want your pre-printed envelope labels to have the same problem as your handwritten labels would.

Larger envelope labels have the ability to serve dual purposes—to and from can be indicated on the same address labels. Many are printed this way these days, with a spot in the upper left corner for the “from” address, and then the “to” address is handwritten or added by computer in the middle bottom of the envelope labels. These types of envelope labels are especially good for corporate usage, when the return address is already pre-printed in the corner. Slap one of these envelope labels on a package or larger envelope, address it, and put it in the mail. Simple and quick . . . and done. On to the next task.

Buy envelope labels in bulk and use them to also identify your file folders in an orderly filing system. Envelope labels can easily be cut to fit a file folder tab, and often can be much less expensive than having to buy envelope labels for packages and letters, as well as separate file folder labels. If you are creative, the uses for envelope labels are endless.

This fact brings up the next point. Envelope labels, despite their generalized name, are not only for envelopes, or even packages. Think of all the varied things you can identify or mark with envelope labels. Since they come in many different sizes and even variations on the shapes and colors, you can buy an assortment and, based on what it is you need them for, you can use the same box of envelope labels for many purposes.

Maybe you are taking an art class and you are required to bring your own supplies. Use an address label with your name and phone contact inside your supply box, and include address labels on each larger item that could easily get lost—or, of course, “mistakenly” walk away—so that your equipment is very clearly your equipment. By having your visibly identified envelope labels on your belongings in a public setting, you are openly stating that those items are yours, and not to be bothered with by anyone else.

Possibly you have sunglasses in a nice case, and they often have a tendency to get lost . . . put address labels inside the case, again with your name and contact phone. In the event you put the case down and mislay it, or if it gets mixed in with someone else’s belongings, those sunglasses might be returned to you. They will be directly identified as belonging to you.

One thing you should not do, though. It used to be regular practice to label the inside of children’s clothing, or their lunch boxes or, for that matter, any other personal item belonging to a child. This is a fantastic idea, in theory, and helps to see to it that the item gets back to the child if misplaced. However, in today’s world, sometimes that information when placed on envelope labels inside any item belonging to a child might be used for not-so-good reasons. While it’s sad to think we are at such a place in our society, it’s best now to simply not personally identify children’s belongings through the use of envelope labels, or in any other fashion.

Other than that, uses for envelope labels are practically endless. Next time you’re at the store, buy them in bulk and find all sorts of uses for them. You will be happy you did.