This post is geared toward Americans and our funny postal system, but people from around the world can benefit from the mail art inspiration photos! Today, you’ll learn how to boost your chances of successful mail art delivery, crack the mystery of postal rates, and more.
Mail art is what first inspired me to learn calligraphy. I love the concept of surprising someone with a gorgeous and unique mail art delivery! Many people are terrified to try making mail art, though, for fear that their envelope won’t reach its destination. Today, we’ll talk about 10 ways to create engaging envelopes while ensuring a safe delivery.
One of the first stops for USPS envelopes is the sorting machine. The sorting machine “reads” the zip code on your envelope, and the envelope is organized accordingly.
If the zip code isn’t legible, there’s a greater chance that your envelope won’t reach its destination. Keep that in mind as you create the envelope art! You can get adventurous with the design and the lettering, but do try to make sure that the zip code is easy to read.
Theoretically, the US Postal Service would like to see us put our return addresses in the upper left corner of every envelope. In reality, when I’m sending domestic mail, I usually write my return address in small letters on the back flap without any trouble.
Last year, I tried sending some mail art to Australia. As per usual, I wrote the recipient’s address on the front, and my address on the back. The machine, grasping for an easily recognizable (US) zip code, used the zip code on the back of the envelope to send the mail art right back to me! Now, I try to always write my return address in the upper left corner for international mail. Depending on your post office, doing that might be necessary for domestic mail as well. In that case, consider making an eye-catching return address!
In the US, we have all sorts of rules about postage rates. As of this moment, a standard letter (normal size, under 1 oz.) costs $0.73 to send. But — add a wax seal to the back, and you need to pay a non-machinable letter fee of $0.46. The same goes for irregular-sized envelopes and envelopes with an unusual orientation (like the one below).
You have to be wondering at this point how to check the postage rates, which constantly fluctuate. I feel confused about rates when I visit the USPS website, so I generally rely on Pitney Bowes. Pitney Bowes offers a succinct and easily understandable overview of mailing costs. Remember: not applying enough postage to your envelope will almost certainly affect your mail art delivery.
When it comes to mail art, it might be tough to think outside of creating art on envelopes that are any color but white. Exclusively working on white envelopes becomes pretty repetitive after a while, though! You can keep yourself inspired by creating motifs on different sizes and colors of envelopes.
There are several online merchants that offer mail art-friendly envelopes. Alternatively, you can take your mail art game to the next level and make an envelope out of an interesting piece of paper as shown below.
“Mail art” does have “art” in its name, but that doesn’t mean that every piece you produce has to be intricate and time-consuming. Sometimes, simple mail art is the best kind of mail art.
So — if you’re stumped, take the pressure off of yourself to come up with something novel. Instead, make a few paint splatters, doodle some random sketches, or draw some spirals. Accept your work the way it is once you finish; some mail art pieces will inevitably be better than other pieces. As long as you enjoy making it, that’s what counts!
Whenever I send mail to a loved one, I want the envelope to look special. The reality of the situation, however, is that sometimes I don’t have an hour to make a complicated piece of mail art. In that case, I rely on my printer.
There are several free printable mail art envelopes available on this website, and I’m perpetually designing more. I really appreciate the convenience of being able to print, fold, glue, and send when I’m short on time!
Decoupage is a great way to add something special to an envelope! However, you have to remember that the machines at USPS don’t give your envelopes the white glove treatment. So, when you glue elements to your envelope, make sure that you glue them well!
If there’s an opportunity for the postal machine to catch on an unglued loose edge, it will. Pay special attention to making sure the edges of your decoupaged graphic are very secure, and you should be good to go.
You can transform an otherwise plain envelope into envelope art by being thoughtful with a postage stamp collage! A lot of people don’t realize this, but unused postage stamps can still be used today for whatever value they have written on the front.
If you’d like to learn more about making postage stamp collages, you can read the How to Make a Stunning Postage Stamp Collage blog post. Vintage postage stamps aren’t costly, and they add so much personality to your mail!
Remember: the point of mail art is to send the piece on its merry way. While there’s always a small risk that it might get lost in the postal system, most items sent via USPS do reach their destination. After you make a piece of envelope art, take a picture of it, cherish the moments you spent making it, and send your creation to a new home!
The point of mail art is your own creative experimentation. Mail art allows you to explore new techniques, play with lettering, and come up with artistic layouts. If, for some reason, your mail art delivery is unsuccessful, don’t despair. Life happens, and if you enjoyed making the mail art, that’s what’s really important.
There are times that I post photos of envelopes, and people on Instagram ask me, “Can you actually send that?” Well, sure! Why not? At times, USPS has shocked and delighted me with what they tolerate. Anything’s worth a try.
I’m not encouraging you to aggravate the post office, but I am saying that you should exercise your creativity. I mean, take a look at some of Schin Loong’s pieces at her Annoy a Postman page! Schin had a fairly high mail art delivery success rate for the project, and she went out of her way to push USPS’s limits. For those who are afraid that USPS will not deliver your masterpiece, I like what Donovan of The Letter Writer’s Alliance has to say: “The glorious thing about mail art is that even with [USPS’s] rules, as long as something has the proper postage and is addressed correctly, odds are good that it’ll get delivered.”
If you’ve never created mail art before, I encourage you to give it a try! There’s something so satisfying about spending time, energy, and creativity to make someone else’s day. You might be surprised to find out who appreciates it … my former landlord loved all my “rent check” envelopes! Just remember: keep that zip code clear and put on sufficient postage, and your chances of mail art delivery are excellent. For inspiration, see all of TPK’s mail art articles.
Thanks very much for reading TPK, and enjoy the rest of your day!
Warmly,
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