There's a nationwide network that connects nearly everyone in the United states of america. This network delivers tens of billions of ads each twelvemonth. No, it's not Facebook or the internet. Information technology's the The states Mail (USPS), which delivered — by volume — lxxx.9 billion advertising items out of 158.iv billion total items in 2013. That's correct: virtually half of USPS mail is ads (if only there was a way to "unsubscribe" to advertizing delivered by the USPS)!

Even in an era of status updates, people still send envelopes. Businesses promote products and services. Charities seek support. Governments prompt people to renew registrations or use the post to convey notices.

But online tools, like Google Apps, mean we send fewer envelopes than we used to. USPS volume in 2013 is just 75% of what it was in 2007.

If yous've moved to Google Apps, you lot might not need to mail frequently. Just, if you do, Google Docs provides at least three means to create an envelope.

one. An envelope from a template

Google Docs provides envelope templates, but they're a fleck hidden.

First, create a new Google Physician. Open your browser to docs.google.com, then select the blue floating activity button (in the lower correct corner with a plus sign [+] in it).

Next, find a template. Select the File menu, click New, so "From template…" A new browser tab will open up to the Template Gallery.

Finally, narrow your search. Select "Public Templates" to explore all available templates, and "Documents" to render templates for Google Docs. Type "envelope" in the search box at the elevation of the screen, then printing Enter. Yous'll see a multifariousness of envelope templates. Choose "Use this template" to create a new document from the template (Figure A).

Figure A

Discover an envelope template in Google Docs.

Experiment a flake, and y'all'll likely find an existing envelope template that works well with your printer.

two. An envelope from an add-on

Synergy LLC provides Envelopes, a Google Docs Addition that adjusts page setup settings to diverse envelope sizes — including a standard #10 envelope. The margins adjust to conform a render address (in the upper left corner) and a recipient address (near the center of the envelope). The improver allows you to specify a custom envelope height and width, if yous need a size other than 1 of the x presets.

To install the improver, open a Google Md, choose "Add-ons," and then "Get add-ons…" Type "envelopes" in the search box, find the Envelopes add together-on in the list, then select the "+ Free" button to install.

To create your envelope, open a new Google Medico, select "Add-ons…," "Envelopes," and choose the envelope size (or brand a custom size). The page setup of your document will arrange to match the selected envelope size. Type the addresses, and then print (Figure B).

Figure B

Install an add-on to create a standard size envelope.

3. An envelope from a Chrome web app

The Envelopes for Google Docs Chrome web app creates a new Google Medico with the dimensions and name you specify. With a standard Google Doc, y'all choose any of 11 preset page sizes; you can't specify a custom page size. This app overcomes that limitation.

To utilise the app, you'll need to use the Chrome browser, install the app, and take the app's requested permissions (Figure C). When yous run the app (either from the Chrome app launcher or past choosing "launch app" from the web shop), name your document, specify the page size and margins, then select "Create your envelope." Next, select the generated link, "click here to access your file," to open your document in Google Docs.

Effigy C

Use a Chrome web app to create a Google Medico with a custom page size.

You'll need to adjust either tab or margin settings to place a recipient's accost properly in the centre of the envelope. But once you've institute settings that piece of work, you can open and utilize your file as a master. (Try the "File" bill of fare, "Make a copy…" choice.)

Other options

If you take large numbers of items to mail, you might print labels instead of envelopes. Avery Label Merge helps you merge a listing of names and addresses from a Google Spreadsheet into a Google Certificate formatted to print on Avery labels. Install the addition from within a Google Medico (i.e., cull "Add-ons," and then "Get add-ons…" Type "Avery" in the search box, then select the "+ Free" push button next to Avery Label Merge to install), then showtime a new merge from the add-on'south menu.

To address and print a #10 envelope, yous might not even need Google Docs at all. Open up your browser to http://www.somacon.com/p456.php and address your envelope. The course generates a PDF you lot can impress. (Even better, Shailesh Northward. Humbad makes the open up-source PHP code bachelor on the site.)

Ideally, you won't print at all. Instead, you lot'll share documents online or via e-mail. Only when you practice need to create an envelope, Google Apps gives yous plenty of options.

Do you ship less mail today than you did a few years ago? What type of information practice you lot send via postal post? Share your experience in the word thread below.