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

Thu Apr 21 09:48:39 PDT 2022

Thank you, Carmen!

I have truly appreciated the comments from everyone - both on the list and
to me directly.

One thing I failed to mention is that printers (along with many
electronics) are hit by supply chain. When I went into my local Office
Depot the printer shelves were about 90% empty, and when I asked to see if
there were others in other stores that could be shipped - they are just out
of stock. Even Costco - so options that exist vs options I can get right
now (because I am without a printer and need one).

It is true that the vast majority of correspondence can be sent
electronically, but being of the mindset that every correspondence is also
a marketing tool - for example - the cover letter that I send when
providing heirs/beneficiaries/legatees of notice of the pendency of
probate....I include a simple two paragraph letter explaining to these
family members why they are getting this mailing.

Again, thank you to everyone who chimed in - has given me more to consider
and weigh out.

*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

e-mail <Brent at Williams-RuthLaw.com> / website
<http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/> / facebook
<http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw> /

On Thu, Apr 21, 2022 at 9:33 AM Carmen Rowe <carmen at gryphonlawgroup.com>
wrote:

> 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
>
> *Olympia/Lacey and primary mailing office:*
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>
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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
>
> ***Disclaimer: Please note that RPPT listserv participation is not
> restricted to practicing attorneys and may include non-practicing
> attorneys, law students, professionals working in related fields, and
> others.***
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