The Best Snail Mail Supplies

• Snail Mail Supplies
• How to Write a Letter
• When to Write a Letter
  • Pen Pals
  • Thank You Letters
  • Condolence Letters
  • Travel Letters
  • Love Letters
  • Mail Art
  • Nesting Envelopes
• Finishing Touches
• Envelope Sizes
• Sincerely Yours
• Shop This Post

For longer letters, write neatly on lined paper.

Whether your pen pal is a long-time friend or a complete stranger, the best part is exchanging stories about your daily lives. For longer letters like these, we recommend Strathmore 500 Paper. It has dotted lines to help you write neatly, but they are printed in light blue for easier reading. You can also add stickers, colored inks, and other embellishments to make your letter fun to read.

Topic Suggestion: Offer a recent book, movie, or recipe recommendation.

Recommendations: Strathmore 500 Series Letter Set, Midori Sticker Marché Stickers, Pentel EnerGel Philography Gel Pens

Write a quick, thoughtful note with a fast-drying EnerGel pen.

Instead of sending a quick text or email, take a moment to express your appreciation in writing. We like these whimsical Teacup Collection Notecards because of their bright, colorful prints. If you are writing many notes at a time, such as after a wedding or after the holidays, a fast-drying pen like the Pentel EnerGel-X will let you write quickly without smearing.

Topic Suggestion: Personalize your letter by describing how you intend to use the specific gift item.

Recommendations: Chronicle Books Assorted Notecards, Bande Washi Tape Sticker Rolls, Pentel EnerGel-X Gel Pens

Letters of condolence should be minimal and sincere.

Expressing sympathy can be challenging, but your sentiments will comfort your friend in a difficult time. For these situations, it is best to use simple, neutral-colored stationery. The Pilot Letter Pad has clean white pages with wide ruling for you to write a short, sincere note. In Japan, it is customary to use gray ink for written condolences—the idea being that the writer’s ink was diluted by tears of mourning.

Topic Suggestion: Be empathetic while staying positive by writing about a fond memory.

Recommendations: Pilot Letter Set, Pilot Iroshizuku Kiri-Same Ink, Pilot Cavalier Fountain Pen

Send a letter or postcard that captures your exciting travels.

If you’re somewhere far from home, send a letter back to share your travel experiences. Vintage style LIFE Airmail stationary is lightweight and won't add bulk to your carry-on. Another fun way to write home is to find local postcards of places you’ve visited, or carry along a mini sketchbook and marker pen to draw your own.

Topic Suggestion: Instead of writing about a major tourist attraction, describe a hidden gem.

Recommendations: LIFE Airmail Letter Set, Maruman Zuan Postcard Size Sketchbook, Sakura Pigma Micron Drawing Pens

Romantic details like scented ink will make your letter special.

A romantic love letter is perfect for Valentine’s day, an anniversary, or whenever you feel inspired by your beau. To quote William Wordsworth, “fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” Elegant touches like subtly scented ink and silky smooth paper will make your love letter truly special. We love the beautiful floral scent of this J. Herbin Rose Red ink.

Topic Suggestion: Write a list of things you appreciate—especially things they may not notice.

Recommendations: Clairefontaine Triomphe Letter Set, Lamy Joy Calligraphy Fountain Pen, J. Herbin Scented Fountain Pen Ink

Etegami is the art of pairing quick observational paintings with a simple sentence.

Snail mail doesn’t even have to be handwritten! You can create whimsical art pieces made with all sorts of mixed media, found objects, and a trusty glue stick. You can also try your hand at the Japanese art of etegami–small, postcard-size paintings of everyday items combined with a brief, pensive sentiment.

Topic Suggestion: Have fun using watercolors to make simple observational paintings, or create a collage from magazines and doodles.

Recommendations: Akashiya Etegami Postcard Paper, Kuretake Gansai Tambi Watercolors, Pentel Brush Pens

Midori MD Envelopes and Midori Letter Sets fit together perfectly.

If you never receive any letters back, resort to bribery. Include a smaller stamped envelope with your letter, and your letter recipient will have no excuse! We recommend pairing the Crown Mill C6/5 Envelopes with the Life One Touch Airmail Envelopes as a more affordable option, and the Midori MD Envelopes with the adorable Midori Letter Sets if you want to give your friend, and your future self, a nice treat.

Topic Suggestion: Keep it brief so you don't overstuff your envelope.

Recommendations: Crown Mill C6/5 Envelopes, Life One Touch Airmail Envelopes, Life One Touch Airmail Envelopes, Midori Letter Sets

Use Uni Posca Paint Markers for lettering or decoration that won't wash away.

Envelopes should be addressed on the center front, with a return address in the upper left corner or on the back flap. When addressing, write the address parallel to the longest edge of the envelope. If you’re worried about keeping your writing tidy or centered, use a ruler with an Ames Lettering Guide and draw guidelines in pencil. Write addresses in waterproof ink in case your envelope gets wet in transit.

If you want to create complex illustrations on your envelopes, Uni Posca Paint Markers are great for durable decorating. You can use your fanciest lettering for your recipient’s name, but be sure to print the address neatly and legibly.

Buy stamps online or from your post office and place as many as necessary on the top right corner of your letter. If you're not sure how many stamps you need, check the USPS website. For those who prefer not to lick stamps or envelopes, we recommend keeping a water brush handy for a simple and clean way to paste stamps and seal envelopes. Finally, leave your letter in a postbox or in your own mailbox. You may choose to use a stamp code—Victorians would tilt stamps at strange angles to communicate secret meanings—but make sure you warn your recipient.

Standard envelope sizes carried by JetPens.

Envelopes, like paper, have different names and sizes in North America than in the rest of the world. In North America, envelope sizes have names like No. 7-3⁄4 and No. 9. No. 7-3⁄4 envelopes are also known as Monarch envelopes, despite the absence of monarchy in most of North America. North America also sometimes labels envelopes A2 through A10. This has no relationship to ISO paper sizing, which also uses A as a category, and JetPens avoids describing envelopes this way. No. 9 envelopes are perfectly suited to Letter-sized paper.

Outside of North America, envelopes come in international standard sizes. JetPens carries C6, C5/6, and DL (“Dimension Lengthwise”). C envelope sizes are proportional to ISO paper sizes, with the same consistent 1:√2 side length ratio. For more information, read our guide to paper sizes. A C6 envelope fits an A6 sheet of paper, or an A5 sheet folded in half, or A4 folded in quarters, and so on. A C5/6 envelope or a DL envelope will fit an A4 (or Letter) sheet folded into thirds.

C6 envelope and paper comparison.

C6/5 envelope and paper comparison.

• ¹ From Margaret Atwood’s novel Alias Grace. ↩
• ² The close of Kurt Vonnegut’s last speech, printed in Armageddon in Retrospect. ↩
• ³ Peel and Seal seals act like stickers. Gum seals require licking or other moistening. No-seal will require a glue stick or tape. ↩