How to Print Remittance Envelopes for Non-Profits, Fundraisers, Foundations or Churches

Remittance envelopes are a specialized envelope designed for returning donations through the mail. All donation envelopes come with a large back flap, and are available in two styles and several sizes to meet your needs. The fronts of remittance envelopes look just like standard envelopes, and are usually printed with your organization’s address in the middle, FIMs, and sometimes with business reply or “stamp here” copy. While these envelopes are very versatile, their unique flap design can make printing on them quite tricky. Read about the types of fundraising envelopes below, and do not hesitate to call your printer for help setting up your remittance copy.

Non-Perforated Remittance Envelopes

The non-perforated or “non-perf” remittance envelope have a large flap that is meant to be closed over the back of the envelope. When closed it will nearly cover the back of the envelope. Since this flap acts as the closing flap, it is gummed at the end. The flap is large so that you can use this space to collect information or take orders from your donators and contributors, and the information will be neatly sealed with the envelope. But care must be taken not to push the print copy too close to the edges of the flap, especially the gummed edge, as anything printed or hand-written there will be ripped off when you open the envelope to take out the donation. The same goes for the back of the envelope, should you choose to put copy there. Where the gum hits, the copy will be ripped off the envelope upon opening. That said you still have plenty of room to collect information such as the donor’s name, take orders for any gifts they are eligible for with the donation, etc. Non-perforated remittance envelopes are more economical than perforated ones, simple to use, and work well for most fundraising purposes. They are available in several sizes, from 6 and 1/4 up to #9.

Perforated Remittance Envelopes

Perforated remittance envelopes look just like their non-perforated counterparts, except the long flap tears off at the perforated line just above the top of the envelope, creating a short flap to close the envelope. The detached flap piece can then be filled out by the donator with dedication, gift, or subscription information, and placed safely inside the envelope. With the perforated flap, you can print more copy and have your copy come nearer the edge of the flap, as there is no gum to work around. Perforated envelopes are best if you need to collect a lot of information or if it is important to have visible printing on the back of your envelope. Perforated envelopes are available in 6 and 3/4 and #9 sizes.

Remittance Envelope Templates

Before finalizing your print copy, you may want to ask your printer for a template for your size and type of envelope. With standard envelopes, measurements provide enough information, but with remittance envelopes, there are many curved edges, tapers, and of course those gum lines that you need to avoid. Ask what tolerance your printer prints to for these envelopes. If you put something close to the edge, it may end up getting cut off.

A Final Note

Remittance envelopes for non profits are complicated to print, but with the help of your printer and the pre-press department, you will be sure to end up with a quality product that serves your fundraising goals far better than a standard envelope. And remember, when ordering envelopes to send out your donation requests, always make sure to order the next size up from your donation envelope size.

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