[WSBAPT] Is it worth it? Off-topic poll on the appearance of things - color letterhead

[Carmen Rowe]

Brent -

I just went through another version of this decision, and here is what I
came up with. I changed my addresses, so needed new letterhead. My
letterhead is a full-bleed across the top header (full color to the edge of
the page, more expensive) with 2 colors.

I ordered 100 pages of letter head on quality paper, and may never even use
all of that - but I have it. The key is that I asked for digital copy so
that I could create something where I could write directly into my
letterhead and thus have color versions for anything I write & send solely
electronically (which is about 90%+) without having to print/sign/scan and
just have another piece of paper to shred. They changed my address from the
design I'd submitted with my original letterhead, I got the 100 pages, and
they sent a .jpg versions of the header and footer so I was able to copy
those into my header/footer in a Word document and there you go, looks just
like a scanned version of the physical copy (only better as it's not
crooked - my scanner just does not always cooperate). Then I save as a .pdf
at the end (which you'd want to do anyway) and use my .pdf program to sign.
So the letter never sees paper at this end.

It was $117.00 for all of the above, so I think well worth it for a nice
presentation - plus the time saved not having to print/scan in/save the
final product.

I do think impression is more than ego, it's the reality of how people
process things - though agree that a lot of traditional "presentation" is
over the top and worth re-thinking, and not even always good. But I also
think people are used to high quality visuals in today's society as there
are so many programs with good design/color/presentation that "everyone"
has something (even free websites can be quite impressive), and having
color adds to a subconscious impression - or rather, a black and white
could lead to a subconscious impression of being a bit old-fashioned/behind
the times/odd/cheap/lower level. It probably depends on your "audience" but
I think you can do this cheaply enough that it's well worth it.

For letter envelopes, because they were ridiculously expensive and having
just tossed nearly a full box of them (as on the rare occasion I send
something out physically, I tend to need/use the 9x12 manilla envelopes, so
still had most from when I started 2015), I opted to get a quality stamp
with the firm name/address and use nice envelopes (then of course I can use
the stamp on other things and off-beat envelopes, too). Of all things where
impression is least likely to impact anything, I figured that was a far
better trade-off.

I do have a good color printer as sometimes I have use for using color, and
it also scans. It's a few years old now so I am sure there are newer
models, and it's not cheap, but a bit less than the one you're looking at -
hp color laserjet pro mfp m477fnw. It's the one my IT guy recommended, and
the only one he puts in at the large business he services as he found it
the most reliable (they are heavy printers at that company). But ink is
expensive, so you still don't necessarily want to be printing color all of
the time!


Carmen Rowe, Attorney/Owner



Phone: (360) 669-3576 (direct cell)
Email:  Carmen at GryphonLawGroup.com

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From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:
wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com
<mailto:wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com>> On Behalf Of Brent Williams-Ruth
Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2022 8:51 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <WSBAPT at lists.wsbarppt.com<mailto:
WSBAPT at lists.wsbarppt.com>>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Is it worth it? Off-topic poll on the appearance of
things - color letterhead

Greetings List Members -

As a solo attorney, I have done many wonderful things to keep costs in
check for the last 8 years - one of which was my printer selection. Only
having a black and white option. Sadly, that printer has met its end and it
is time to replace.

The cost to replace with a color printer is just about double the cost to
get a black and white. $800 plus taxes is the model my tech guy is
recommending.

My question is this - I have a modest letterhead that has one color and
some gradient changes. Every time I print I think back to being at bigger
firms where we have boxes and boxes of letter head for the first page of
letters.

If you were in this spot - would you spring for the color or stay with
black and white and admit that it is purely just ego - that the color of
one's physical copy letters does not mean anything.

Brent Williams-Ruth (pronouns: he/him)
Attorney-At-Law

Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC

Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003

**EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY** All mail sent through the USPS should be sent to
the following address: PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063

Office/Scheduling Phone: (253) 285-7751

Direct: (253) 285-7453
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