The new solo practitioner will have to decide whether they are comfortable with printing their own stationary (and saving their nickels) or if they must have printed stationary (and thus, spending multiple nickels). This is a topic where opinions run the gambit, so here are ours:
Open Your Pockets for Printed Paper you Parsimonious Practitioner!
By Shane L. Jimison
I'm a recent devotee of having your stationary printed. In the first six months or so of my practice I printed my own letterhead and envelopes using nice paper sold at Staples Max Depot on my laser printer. I never received any complaints, never heard one way or another whether anyone cared. As my practice grew I found that the quality or size of my opposing counsel was steadily increasing. They were certainly using fancy papers, with two or three colors, raised lettering, it almost smelled like money when freed from its envelope.
I decided that my office printed letterhead may not make the best impression in the hands of that opposing counsel or insurance adjuster.
After all, how seriously could they take someone who has a laser printer and ten dollars for paper? My friend and colleague Bernie Dietz told me about the good people at the Ardon Printing Company in Providence, Rhode Island. They specialize in attorney printing and they are smart enough to not charge an arm and a leg. My only complaint is that they do not have a website. You can reach them at 1-800-343-4068 to request a catalog.
Haha, nice alliteration.
And you make a great point- printed stationery can help you make a great first impression in business. It looks much more professional.
Posted by: Engraved Stationery | January 19, 2007 at 08:49 AM