Handwritten envelopes vs. Printing labels

mrskristinyc · July 2012

So, it seems that the general consensus/Miss Manners approved "etiquette" is that we basically don't do things that would inconvenience our guests or be rude to them in any way.

I'm wondering how this comes into play when addressing envelopes. I've read on here that that they should be handwritten or printed directly on the envelope. Why is that? What makes a handwritten address less "rude" than a printed label?

I get that it wouldn't look as nice as handwritten in beautiful calligraphy (which I cannot afford or do myself), but I think it would be more polite to my guests (and the postal service!) if the addresses are legibly printed and easy to read. I don't think my printer could handle that many envelopes, so I want to just print the addresses on clear labels and call it a day.

Thoughts? If you received an invite like that, would you find it tacky?

snuff9861 · July 2012

I used wrap around labels on my invitations as they were part of the kit and enhanced the overall design of the invited. But to be honest, the addresses were a PITA to print. I love the look of the printed addresses but it would have been easier and much less time consuming to write them myself.

crash2729 · July 2012

I wouldn't find it tacky and honestly, I should have printed mine out on labels instead of handwriting them.

Summer2011Bride · July 2012

To be completely honest, I wouldn't care. The only time I think it looks odd is if you use white mailing labels. That I don't like the look of. But using a pretty wrap-around label or a clear/see-through label with a pretty font (so it doesn't look like a business envelope) wouldn't offend me.

MyUserName1 · July 2012

The party line is that handwritten is proper.

That being said, unless you are having a black or white tie event, I wouldn't think anything of printed addresses. Printed directly on the envelope looks nicer, but i don't think it's a big deal either way.

pokepoke27 · July 2012

It's one of those things that only really matters when you are having a super formal affair.

Like PPs have said, it DOES look nicer if you print directly on the envelope. Although in my personal experience, the easiest thing was to just write the addresses. I suck at printing anything on something other than 8 1/2 x 11 paper.

pokepoke27 · July 2012

OMG MUNI! Stop looking so awesome in your sigs. Seriously

/thread-jack

RebeccaB88 · July 2012

I can't say that I would be offended. I mean, in the grand scheme of things it's minor. But I will always prefer handwritten envelopes, even if the handwriting isn't the most perfect. It's just more personal to me, and tells me that the sender took their time to make sure it was special. Labels, even clear ones, just make me think I'm getting business correspondence or junk mail. Yes, I've gotten junk mail and donation solicitations that look exactly like a fancy invitation to something, with the exception of the printed address label. So, if something is truly handwritten, I know it's different. But, it's not rude.

HockeyFan4 · July 2012

I am probably one of the few, but I get annoyed when I receive personal correspondence that has been typed

pokepoke27 · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_handwritten-envelopes-vs-printing-labels?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:d35e8359-2c88-447a-9a91-7fe83881afe5Post:bb987d25-5e52-4ced-b139-dcb7a2f26983">Re: Handwritten envelopes vs. Printing labels</a>:
[QUOTE]I am probably one of the few, but I get annoyed when I receive personal correspondence that has been typed
Posted by HockeyFan4[/QUOTE]

<div>I get the annoyance. I guess it just does not bother me at all. I do understand the whole "it's more personal" thing though.</div>

lyndausvi · July 2012

I prefer hand written. It's seems more personal. A printed label is too business-like for me. I might even think it's an advertisement not an invitation.

In the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter though.

mrskristinyc · July 2012

Thanks everyone!

I'm probably going to go with the clear labels (if they look halfway decent/I don't have any printer issues) using a pretty font. Our envelopes are cream with vintage looking peacock drawings on them, so I don't think they'll be mistaken for advertisements.

Envelopes: http://www.zazzle.com/3_feathers_vintage_peacock_wedding_envelopes-121805653397532685

I agree that a handwritten address would look more personal (and I'm definitely doing that for thank you notes), but I feel like most people know that they're not the only ones being invited to the wedding, and that in most cases, wedding invitations ARE a mass mailing. I've received invites with printed labels, and it didn't bother me (especially now, after seeing how much work wedding planning is!).

Kate61487 · July 2012

why would you put the money and effort into a pretty envelope to then stick an ugly mailing label on it?

We sent out something like 200+ invitations; I hand wrote all the addresses and it took me maybe three days writing them in the evening while watching tv. The minimal effort required is not worth mucking up your pretty invitations and having some guests side-eye it (or throw it away thinking it's junk mail) IMO

mrskristinyc · July 2012

I promise my handwriting would look uglier than a label.

I'm left handed, and my parents/teachers were all right handed and didn't know how to teach me to hold a pen. My handwriting is a horrible hybrid of print/cursive that looks super sloppy even when I'm writing slowly and trying hard.

When the envelopes come in, I'll handwrite one and put the clear label on one and see which looks better.

I still don't see how it inconveniences guests/is rude to print labels. I think I would side eye any friends/family who would be judgmental about it, honestly.

heatherfitz · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_handwritten-envelopes-vs-printing-labels?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:d35e8359-2c88-447a-9a91-7fe83881afe5Post:c27a9946-32d1-420a-b7a5-c1e5f8b6385a">Re: Handwritten envelopes vs. Printing labels</a>:
[QUOTE]I promise my handwriting would look uglier than a label. :) I'm left handed, and my parents/teachers were all right handed and didn't know how to teach me to hold a pen. My handwriting is a horrible hybrid of print/cursive that looks super sloppy even when I'm writing slowly and trying hard. When the envelopes come in, I'll handwrite one and put the clear label on one and see which looks better. I still don't see how it inconveniences guests/is rude to print labels. I think I would side eye any friends/family who would be judgmental about it, honestly.
Posted by mrskristinyc[/QUOTE]

<div>
</div><div>I agree with you. I'm doing my guests a FAVOR by not hand-writing them, haha. I decided that I'm going to take the pain of printing them on the envelopes. I downloaded a purty fount so it's not too business-y and have already gone through my first stash of envelopes in failed print attempts. I have more coming in so it's just a process. And I side-eye anyone who side-eyes me for not hand-writing a stinking envelope. </div>

melb2013 · July 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/wedding-boards_etiquette_handwritten-envelopes-vs-printing-labels?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding%20BoardsForum:9Discussion:d35e8359-2c88-447a-9a91-7fe83881afe5Post:19cd8184-698a-4521-b61d-f1255a047a32">Re: Handwritten envelopes vs. Printing labels</a>:
[QUOTE]Honestly, yeah, I would think it was tacky if I got an invitation with a clear label. Its one of the few things that bothers me although I realize its a somewhat silly one. I wouldn't decline to attend or buy a cheaper gift or anything, but I'd definitely notice a clear label and side-eye it.
Posted by lovethebeach16[/QUOTE]<div>
</div><div>Same here. It's the labels that bother me. We're getting printed caligraphy from the invitation store. It looks like handwriting, but it's printed directly on the envelope. That is obviously more expensive, but if I couldn't afford that, I would take the time to hand write each address.

</div>

getaclue44 · July 2012

I have gotten two invites this summer with labels on them. TBH, I really don't care--it really isn't a big deal for me. People throw away the envelopes so I guess I don't see the point in paying for calligraphy. If your handwriting is bad--no worries, use the labels. If you have an inner envelope as well, I would definitely handwrite the names on that.

HockeyFan4 · July 2012

With that logic, you know, people will throw away the invites too...so why bother doing anything nice for those either?

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