Your letterhead says more about your business than you might think. It’s often the first physical impression a client receives, on invoices, contracts, quotes, and formal correspondence. A poorly designed letterhead can undermine your credibility before you’ve even made your pitch. That’s why getting your business letterhead design for printing right matters.
The good news? You don’t need to be a graphic designer to create something professional. Whether you’re a contractor sending estimates or a startup formalising partnerships, there are straightforward options that fit different budgets and skill levels. From free templates to full-service print providers like us here at Apex Workwear, you’ve got choices.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through five easy options for designing a letterhead that’s ready to print, so you can focus on running your business, not wrestling with design software.
1. Apex Workwear custom letterhead design and printing
Apex Workwear offers a full-service approach to business letterhead design for printing, handling everything from initial concept to final delivery. Based in Canada, they produce all materials domestically and provide free shipping within the Greater Toronto Area. You submit your ideas or existing branding, their team reviews your design, and they handle the technical preparation for printing.
How it works
You start by requesting a free quote through their website, sharing details about your project along with any existing logos or brand elements. Their design team reviews your submission within 24 hours and provides guidance on file specifications, colours, and layout considerations. If you need basic design edits or adjustments, they include those at no extra cost. Once you approve a digital proof, they move to production, and most orders ship within 5 to 7 business days.
"All production is done in Canada, which means faster turnaround and easier communication throughout the process."
Who it suits
This option works best for small business owners and contractors who want professional results without managing multiple vendors. You get both design support and printing from a single provider, which simplifies the entire workflow. If you’re based in the GTA and ordering in bulk, the free local shipping adds meaningful value. Startups and creative agencies appreciate the design assistance, particularly when they’re still refining their brand identity.
Pricing and print readiness
Apex Workwear provides transparent pricing based on your specifications, with discounts available for larger orders. There are no hidden fees for standard design reviews or layout adjustments. Your letterhead arrives print-ready because it’s produced specifically for physical use, on quality paper stock suited to professional correspondence. Rush options exist if you need faster delivery.
2. Canva letterhead templates
Canva provides drag-and-drop design tools with hundreds of pre-made letterhead templates. You can customise fonts, colours, and layouts through a browser-based interface that requires no design experience. The platform offers both free and paid templates, making it accessible for businesses at any stage. Your finished design downloads as a print-ready PDF, which you then send to your chosen print provider.
How it works
You create a free account, search for letterhead templates, and select a design that fits your brand. Canva’s editor lets you replace placeholder text with your business details, swap images, and adjust colours to match your identity. The platform includes alignment guides and spacing tools to keep everything balanced. Once satisfied, you download your design as a high-resolution PDF suitable for printing.
Who it suits
This option works well for budget-conscious startups and solo entrepreneurs who want creative control without technical complexity. You benefit most if you have existing brand elements to incorporate but don’t want to start from scratch. Creative agencies and event coordinators often use Canva for quick turnaround projects where design flexibility matters more than advanced features.
Pricing and print readiness
Canva offers free templates alongside Canva Pro subscriptions that unlock premium designs and features. Your downloaded PDF meets standard print specifications, though you’ll need to verify requirements with your chosen print provider separately. The platform includes bleed guides, but printing quality depends entirely on the vendor you select afterward.
"You control the design timeline completely, which matters when you need business letterhead design for printing on short notice."
3. Adobe Express letterhead templates
Adobe Express delivers professionally designed templates with access to Adobe’s extensive font and graphic libraries. The platform combines ease of use with robust design capabilities, offering templates specifically optimised for print applications. You work within a browser-based editor that includes advanced colour management and export options suited to professional printing standards.
How it works
You select from curated letterhead templates and customise them using Adobe’s editing tools. The interface provides precise control over typography, spacing, and alignment whilst maintaining print specifications throughout your workflow. Adobe Express connects to Adobe Fonts and Adobe Stock, giving you access to licensed resources that elevate your design beyond generic options. Your completed letterhead exports as a high-resolution PDF with proper bleed and trim settings already configured.
Who it suits
This platform benefits creative professionals and agencies who need design flexibility beyond basic templates. You’ll appreciate Adobe Express if you want access to premium fonts and graphics without managing separate licences. Small businesses transitioning from other Adobe products find the familiar interface reduces the learning curve for business letterhead design for printing.
Pricing and print readiness
Adobe Express offers a free tier with limited templates alongside premium plans that unlock the full library. Your exported files meet professional print specifications automatically, though you still coordinate separately with your print provider. The platform ensures colour profiles and resolution match industry standards for physical production.
"Adobe Express bridges the gap between consumer-friendly design tools and professional output requirements."
4. Microsoft Word letterhead templates
Microsoft Word includes built-in letterhead templates accessible through any recent version of the software. You work with familiar formatting tools and save your letterhead as a reusable template that integrates directly with your existing documents. The platform automatically handles margin settings and layout structure, making it straightforward to create professional business letterhead design for printing without additional software.
How it works
You open Word and search for letterhead templates in the template gallery, selecting a design that matches your business needs. The templates include placeholder elements for your logo, contact details, and business name that you replace with your actual information. Word’s formatting tools let you adjust fonts, colours, and spacing whilst maintaining proper print margins. Once completed, you save the file as a template for future correspondence.
Who it suits
This option benefits established businesses already using Microsoft Office for daily operations. You’ll find it practical if you prefer keeping all documentation within a single ecosystem rather than learning new platforms. Contractors and small business owners appreciate the zero learning curve when they’re already familiar with Word’s interface.
Pricing and print readiness
Microsoft Word comes included with Microsoft 365 subscriptions or as a standalone purchase, meaning no additional cost for template access. Your finished letterhead exports as a high-resolution PDF that you send to any print provider, though you must verify their specific file requirements separately.
"The convenience of working within software you already use daily removes friction from the design process."
5. Vistaprint letterhead design and printing
Vistaprint combines online design tools with direct printing services through a single platform. You access pre-made templates that you customise through their web-based editor, then order physical copies directly without coordinating separate print providers. The service handles both design creation and production, delivering your completed letterhead to your business address.
How it works
You browse their template library and select a letterhead design that fits your industry or aesthetic preferences. Their online editor lets you add your business information, logo, and brand colours using a straightforward interface with real-time preview. Vistaprint automatically applies proper margins and bleed settings as you work. Once you approve your design, you select quantity and paper options, then place your order for printing and delivery.
Who it suits
This platform works best for small businesses and startups wanting a streamlined process that combines business letterhead design for printing in one transaction. You benefit most if you prefer avoiding multiple vendors and appreciate pre-configured print options that remove technical decisions. Solo entrepreneurs and contractors value the simplicity when they need professional results without design expertise.
"The unified workflow from design to delivery eliminates coordination between separate service providers."
Pricing and print readiness
Vistaprint displays upfront pricing that includes both design tools and printing costs, with volume discounts on larger orders. Your letterhead arrives production-ready because the platform handles all technical specifications internally. Paper quality and finishing options vary by price tier, letting you choose based on budget constraints.
Next steps
Your business letterhead speaks for your brand before you do. Now that you’ve explored five practical options for business letterhead design for printing, you need to decide which approach fits your workflow and budget. If you want complete control over the design process, Canva or Adobe Express give you that flexibility. Prefer working within familiar software? Microsoft Word eliminates the learning curve entirely.
For businesses that value simplicity, combining design support with professional printing through one provider saves time and reduces coordination headaches. Apex Workwear handles both aspects in Canada, delivering high-quality letterhead with free shipping across the GTA. You submit your ideas, approve a digital proof, and receive finished materials ready for client correspondence within days.
Ready to create professional letterhead that strengthens your brand identity? Get a free quote from Apex Workwear and start your project with expert guidance today.
