All About Postage {Ideas & Information}

Before you begin addressing envelopes, assemble one complete invitation (including tissue paper, any maps or additional insertions, and the stamp on the return response envelope) and take it to your local post office for weight and measurement. When you order invitations, it is safe to assume that you will have to pay extra postage.

Don’t assume .45 cents will be enough. Due to extra insertions, your invitation could easily exceed one ounce. In addition, often it’s the size and not the weight which may require more postage than one first class stamp, so taking this extra step now can save a lot of aggravation later. Don’t forget to buy stamps for the response card envelopes or postcards while you’re at the post office!

First Class Letter postage prices are based on the shape, as well as the weight of the envelope. USPS follows the guidelines below:

Shape

• Rectangular; length is the dimension parallel to the address
• At least 5" long  x 3 1/2" high by .007" thick
• No more than 11 1/2" long x 6 1/8" high x 1/4" thick
• Up to 3.5 ounces

Weight

• Less than 1 oz. = $0.45
• Less than 2 oz. = $0.65
• Less than 3 oz. = $0.85
• Less than 3 1/2 oz. = $1.05

Letters that meet one or more of the nonmachinable characteristics below are subject to the $0.20 nonmachinable surcharge. Items over 3.5 ounces must be mailed as a Large Envelope or Package.

• It is a square letter (the minimum size for a square envelope is 5 x 5 inches.)
• It is too rigid - does not bend easily
• It has clasps, string, buttons, or similar closure devices
• It has an address parallel to the shorter dimension of the letter
• It contains items such as pens that cause the surface to be uneven
• The length divided by height is less than 1.3 or more than 2.5

Postcards - 32 cents
Size limits:
Minimum: 3-1/2 inches high by 5 inches long by 0.007 inch thick
Maximum: 6 inches long by 4-1/4 inches high.
Additional postage required for larger postcards

Visit USPS.com and check out their postage calculator for further details

Postage Increase 

If you haven’t heard, there will be a postage increase on January 22, 2012.  If you plan to mail anything from save the dates, engagement party invites, or wedding invitations remember to consider the postage increase when mailing items out. If you are expecting response cards to be returned, don’t get caught with out enough postage or you can expect a giant stack of bright yellow ‘return to sender’ stickers stamped on your  beautifully addressed invitations.

The increase will affect everything being placed in your mailbox with postcards having the biggest price jump with a three cent increase. If you plan on ordering custom stamps do consider the price increase when you place your order.

Here are the facts straight from the United Postal Service regarding the postage increase:

Prices for most Postal Service mailing services will change on January 22, 2012.

FIRST-CLASS MAIL HIGHLIGHTS:

• Letters (1 oz.) – 1-cent increase to 45 cents.
• Single-piece letters additional ounce rate – unchanged at 20 cents.
• Postcards – 3-cent increase to 32 cents
• Letters to Canada or Mexico (1 oz.) – 5-cent increase to 85 cents
• Letters to other international destinations – 7-cent increase to $1.05

You can also check out our post about personalized postage if you plan to order custom stamps for your invitations. For more information about the USPS price increases, check out their latest pricing sheet here.

Tis the Season... to create the perfect custom postage

Tis the Season... to apply the perfect custom postage to all of your Holiday and special event mailers!

From November 21st until January 1st we are offering an additional 10% off all of Envelopments Original Postage Stamp orders through Zazzle.com.

Simply visit our custom stamp store and use promo code “ENVELOPMENTS”

From our Envelopments Original Patterns, Holiday, Wedding, Baby, Save-the-dates, and so much more... our postage can make that outer envelope say “Open me first!”

Legal: 10% of the Zazzle Custom Stamp net sale price will be deducted when one or more qualifying Zazzle Custom Stamp sheets are purchased and the coupon code ENVELOPMENTS is applied at checkout. The net sale price is the difference between the price of the Zazzle Custom Stamps (excluding shipping and taxes) and the face value of the postage. Offer is valid through January 1, 2012 at 11:59pm PT. This offer does not apply to past purchases and may not be combined with any other Zazzle promotional or volume discount offers. If a volume discount applies to your order, you will receive either the discount set forth in this offer or the standard volume discount, whichever is greater. Offer valid on Zazzle.com only.

Kid-Friendly Stamped Cards {Maureen Cracknell Handmade DIY Tutorial}

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When I stumbled upon the pictures for these adorable rose cards on Maureen Cracknell Handmade's blog I knew we had to try them out. They were beautiful and unique. Plus they used up the end of a vegetable that I might have just thrown away when I was done using it. This tutorial is simple, easy and almost not needed. Just look at the pictures to get an idea of what you're supposed to do.

You can also get creative! Try playing with colors or painting each celery stalk a different color to make a rainbow rose. Or add a rose garden onto canvas. I've also read that you can do this with lettuce as well. Maybe have a whole flower scape with different vegetable stamps.

What You'll Need:

• Celery bunches
• Paint
• Glitter
• Cardstock

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1. Cut the celery leaving only about 2 inches of in tact stalks.

2. Pour paint onto a small dish or paper plate.

3. Press the celery (cut side) into the paint and then stamp on paper.

4. Sprinkle with glitter while still wet.

5. Add a leaf or two if you'd like and personalize the card.

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In Love... {Ideas and Information}

with the new 2011 Love stamp collection from the US Postal Service. These beautiful works of art will be available for purchase on May 19th and can add the perfect touch to your invitations or RSVP envelopes.

From usps.com -

"The Garden of Love — ten different First-Class stamps depicting a colorful mosaic of flora and fauna in a garden setting — will be issued May 19. These stamps are a continuation of the Love series, begun in 1973, and are intended for use on Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day cards, as well as on other occasions when love and affection are expressed.

Award-winning illustrator José Ortega of New York City and Toronto depicts an abstract garden of bright flowers, a butterfly, a strawberry, and doves, interlaced with vines that run from one stamp to another. Each prominent element of the design is in the shape of a heart. The deep blue background is reminiscent of a brilliant summer sky. The word “Love” sits atop each stamp."

There are also a lot of other places to find unique or vintage stamps. Check out The Paper Nickel or  Verde Studio's collection of unused vintage stamps. And for help finding more options check out 100 Layer Cake's blog post on vintage stamps.

And remember, you can always have us customize your postage to match your invitations perfectly. Just ask!

Custom Stamps

I love it when all the stationery and printed materials for an event coordinate. As I am sure most of you know who have browsed our website - we offer everything from Save the Dates and Invitations to Reception Stationery (placecards and menus) and Thank You notes...

And now....custom stamps as well! So EVERYTHING can coordinate! Let us know what you think of our new gallery on Zazzle, anything can be customized to any colors, and of course let us know if you have any suggestions for new designs.... we love coming up with new things!