Know-How Exchange : Branding

Where? Why? What's the difference?

Who is designing the letterhead? Is there a reason to not follow their recommendation?

If this is really bothering you, put the address/contact information at/near the top of the page.

I can't imagine a situation where your brand image will be impacted by the spacing between your contact info at the bottom of the page and the end of the page. How about 0.25 inch? 0.375 inch? Does it really matter?

This isn't really a marketing issue, of course. Or, if it is, it's pretty far down the list of important things to consider.

There is no standard. Often, contact details are placed at the top of a sheet of stationery to avoid the scenario you're describing. But as to the piece looking "unprofessional" how are you in any position to judge? Either you, or someone in your organization signed off on the design before it went to print. Pointing fingers AFTER a piece has been designed and printed is EQUALLY unprofessional because the designer is not present to either defend or explain his or her position. The designer worked for you at a discounted rate, either to get the work, or because your organization was too cheap to pay the going rate, but either way, the process of design and sign off is as much yours to own as it is that of the designer. Who signed off on the proofs?

If the letterhead is set so that you print it yourself, then the limit will be what your printer can handle. Most printers can't print right to the edge of the paper, but instead need some space to hold on to the page as they move it through the printer. I have heard that HP printers require .5" at the bottom. Other printers may require more or less. Check with your printers by looking in specs or just printing a page with text close to the bottom and see what they do.