Will my envelopes be printed on a laser printer?

No. Tailored Type uses a "wet ink" process. The ink bonds with the paper fibers. In our experience, laser toner can flake off, leaving parts of the address illegible. It's also important to know that most lined envelopes cannot be fed through a laser printer. Laser printers also have a tendency to glue the envelopes shut when you run them through the printer.

What kind of equipment or software do you use for addressing envelopes?

That is proprietary information. We will not discuss it. Period.

How does your addressing service work?

You simply browse the typestyles, make a selection, email us your guest list with contact information, and send your envelopes to us. We will prepare your list for printing, address your envelopes and ship them back to you for assembly and mailing.

What happens if I find mistakes on my envelopes when I receive them?

Tailored Type will keep at least 5 - probably 10 - sets, of envelopes in case of oversights or additions. In the event the mistake is our error, you will not be charged for correcting the mistake. To view our complete Errors and Omissions policy click here and scroll to the bottom of the page.

I saw a typestyle on your site that I really like. Will you send me the font or tell me what it is called and where to get it?

Tailored Type will not sell, give away, or in any other way distribute the fonts that we use for our business, nor will we discuss where we obtained the fonts from. We have worked very hard to assemble the collection of typestyles that we offer. We believe it is just one of the many reasons we are set apart from our competition.

I have really thick or lined envelopes, will you be able to print on them?

We have been able to print on thick envelopes in the past. However, you should expect a higher error rate with thick envelopes due to smears and jams in the printer. Order at least 25 extra envelopes if they are thick.

Can you print on dark envelopes?

Generally the answer is no. It really depends on how dark the envelope is. We recommend black ink on all colored envelopes that are not pastel. Our inks are translucent and the paper color will always show through. You may have in your mind that it will look like this ...

but in reality will come out more like this...

Colored inks should be kept to white, or light colored envelopes.

Can I get my envelopes done in a raised ink (thermography)?

Tailored Type does not print any product in thermography.

Can I choose any typestyle you have listed for addressing of my envelopes?

Generally, yes. There are some exceptions. We are very concerned about the end result of every product we produce. Our reputations are at stake. We will not hesitate to turn down the job if we think the envelopes are going to end up looking hideous because a customer wants something that will not look good in our professional opinions. Specifically, our "hand calligraphy" fonts do not look authentic at small point sizes. Some loopy scripts will not work at smaller point sizes either because they become hard to read.

Can you give me some guidance as to whether I should choose a hand calligraphy style or a script?

We would be happy to help you pick the right typestyle. If your envelopes are large enough (wider than 6 inches) hand calligraphy styles are always good. If the script on your invitations is really loopy, compliment it with a loopy calligraphy style. Matching the font to your invitations is always a good choice too, it makes everything look very pulled together. The one thing I strongly discourage is mixing scripts. If you have a script on your invitations and have decided to go with a script on the addressing they should match if at all possible. Otherwise, the result will be what we call the "clearance aisle effect" (You know, when you find something on the clearance aisle that doesn't exactly match but you compromise because the price is so good?) It does not make good design sense to introduce a different script. If you have a block style type on your invitations then just about any script or calligraphy style will work.

I received a sample of your addressing. The letters looked crisp and sharp on the sample, why do the letters on my envelopes look a little fuzzy?

First, let me assure you that it was not due to anything that was within our control. We send out samples on good quality paper. One of two things happened with your envelopes:

1. The envelopes may have been converted incorrectly. There is a "good" side and a "bad" side to most paper. When the envelopes were being created the paper was loaded into the machine incorrectly and the bad side ended up on the outside. Unfortunately, this happens quite frequently and you cannot tell by looking at it. It is only when the inks hits the paper and starts to feather that it becomes apparent. If you tear open an envelope, print on the other side of it , and see a better result, then the envelope was indeed converted incorrectly. You could complain to the stationer, but will probably not get much satisfaction.

2. If your envelopes were created with lower grade paper, whether it is "good" side or "bad" side, it's going to feather a little. This does not necessarily mean you purchased inexpensive stationery, it just means that the manufacturer used inexpensive paper. Generally speaking though, the better paper does cost more money. If you go with Checkerboard, Embossed Graphics, William Arthur or Crane you can't go wrong.

It is important to note that hand calligraphers experience the exact same challenge with ink feathering on envelopes too.

Can you print on Envelopments?

Probably not. This will have to determined by exactly which envelopments product you have purchased.

I have special envelopes, can you print on them?

Maybe. Here is a list of what we definitely cannot print on:

• Glossy envelopes
• Metallic finish envelopes
• Pearlized finish envelopes
• Black, Navy, Dk Brown or any other similar dark color.
• Envelopes that are extremely thick
• Mexican stationery - they tend not to be well glued and fall apart
• Handmade paper or any other roughly textured paper
• Any envelope with a coating that will cause the ink to bead
• We DO NOT print the "pochette" inner envelopes by Gaddis Design.

Vellum envelopes can be printed, but we do experience ink beading up on some of them. This happens most often with black ink instead of color.

Can I have my envelopes shipped directly to you from the stationery company?

If you have envelopes shipped directly from the stationer you are taking risk.
We will not be responsible for addressing envelopes that have mistakes on the return address.