Letterhead Etiquette

It's important to make a good first impression when you meet someone for the first time, and it's equally important that your written correspondence does as well. One way to do that is to ensure your letterhead is both professional and eye-catching. Follow the general etiquette for creating a letterhead to ensure it is professional, and then add a few personal design touches to make sure it stands out from the crowd.

The primary difference between business and personal letterhead is that the latter should not include your name, according to Debrett's. Otherwise, etiquette states that letterhead should include your name or the name of your business, the postal address, telephone numbers, the fax number and an email address. Consider using your most professional-sounding email address if you have multiple addresses. Optional items that you might want to add to the letterhead may include the company logo or graphic or a brief slogan or quote. Try not to overcrowd the letterhead, however. And, when writing a letter, remember to never send personal correspondence on company letterhead unless you own the company.