Compliment Slips - stationary that works!

You might already have letterhead to give your company an identity when you communicate with your customers by post (for example, when you send invoices etc.) Compliment slips serve a very similar purpose, but are smaller in format. They are basically the size of a standard business envelope (that fits a folded A4 letterhead), and are inserted into envelopes alongside invoices, leaflets, catalogues and anything else you might need to get delivered to your customers quickly.

When you receive a client call requesting some information or a brochure, often you don't have time to write and print a letter to be inerted alongside it. A compliment slip includes all the logo imagery and contact details to represent your company brand, and all you need to do is scribble a few words on the compliment slip and send it. This presents a more professional and personalised touch than attaching your business card with a paper clip, and includes all the same important contact information and branding.

Like letterhead, compliment slips are usually produced on a maximum paper stock of 130gsm, but usually lower (around 100gsm. The paper type typically used is normal or silk so that you can easily write on the compliment slip with a biro (this is not possible with matt paper.) You might also want to consider the fact that a lower-weight compliment slip costs less to send in terms of postage - this will affect your decision if you envisage youself sending many on a monthly basis. The size format that slips are printed on in the UK is called DL, which is 210mm x 99mm.

For large compliment slip quantities, your printer will most likely use lithographic printing (also known as litho printing) which tends to be of a higher quality and also cheaper for those long runs. For smaller compliment slip quantities, your printer will probably opt for digital printing which will be cheaper at low volume runs. Traditionally, digital printing was of a lower finish quantity but these days you can barely tell the difference, especially if a quality digital press such as the HP Indigo is used.

Compliment slips also cover you in terms of your legal requirement when sending communication by post to your customers. These are the exact same requirements that are called for when sending letters (on company letterhead) and invoices/ company forms. These requirements are simple but you must follow the rules, and vary by type of business. Be sure to check that your compliment slip design conforms to the following before having yours printed:

• If you are a sole trader:
  • Under UK law you are allowed to do business under your own sole trader name or choose a different business name. However, if you choose to represent your business on your compliment slips with a different name, you also need to make sure that your actual sole trader name and business address is included somewhere within the design.
• If your business is a partnership business:
  • The legal requirment for this type of company is that you need to make sure that your compliment slips design includes the names of all partners and the main office address. If there are too many partners to fit within the design of the document, then you are allowed to state on the compliment slips where a list of all these partners can be found.
• If your business is a limited company (Ltd) your slips must include the following information:
  • Your full registered company name (for example Fred Bloggs Ltd) and the place of registration.
  • Your registered company address and the address of your place of business (if different.)
  • You do not have to name the directors of your limited company on your compliment slip design, but if you name any of the directors, you must name all your directors.
• Finally, if you are a charitable company and your name does not include the words "charity" or "charitable" then you must include this on your slips.