letterhead

Letterhead is the heading at the top of a letter or other document identifying the sender, typically including the organization name, logo, address, and contact information. It serves as part of business stationery and conveys formality and authenticity.

Common elements include a logo or wordmark, the sender’s name or corporate name, physical mailing address, phone number, email address, and website. Some letterheads also display a tagline, tax or registration numbers, and the registered office, depending on jurisdiction.

Letterheads are used on formal correspondence such as letters, notices, invoices, and legal documents. In practice, digital letterheads appear as templates in word processors or email signatures that maintain consistent branding across communications.

Design considerations include readability, alignment, margins, and consistent typography and color with the organization’s branding. The top area should be uncluttered; on paper, common sizes are standard letter size (8.5 by 11 inches in the US) or A4 outside the US. Legal requirements: some jurisdictions require including registration numbers and registered office addresses on corporate letterheads.

Variants include personal or small-business letterheads, and specialized letterhead stock with watermark or embossed seal. The term can also apply to digital documents that imitate traditional formats.