Royal Mail has issued guidance for anyone handwriting addresses on letters and parcels, emphasising that neat, correctly positioned writing can help ensure post is processed and delivered without issues. The postal service, which serves around 32 million addresses across the UK, recommends that handwriting should be "clear and easy to read".
Ink and Envelope Advice
The company urges customers to ensure the ink stands out against the envelope or parcel. "It's important that the address shows up against the colour of your envelope," Royal Mail stated. While there is no rule about which colour pen to use, pale or faint writing can be difficult to read. Black ink offers the strongest contrast, particularly on a white envelope or address label.
For dark, boldly coloured or patterned envelopes, Royal Mail advises sticking a plain white label on top to make the address easier to see.
Positioning and Format
The guidance also sets out where the address should be placed. It should sit towards the bottom left-hand side of the front of the envelope or parcel, with postage in the top right corner. Royal Mail recommends keeping the address left-aligned rather than centring it or writing it in a stepped pattern, and leaving a reasonable amount of space around the address.
Punctuation such as commas and full stops should be avoided within the address. The recipient's name should appear first, followed by the property number and street name. If a property has a name rather than a number, this can be used in its place. The local area or village can then be added, followed by the town, which Royal Mail recommends writing in capital letters. A county does not need to be included on UK mail.
Postcode and International Mail
The postcode should be written on the last line in capital letters, with Royal Mail advising customers to include one whenever possible. The company says: "Write the address clearly on the front, following our guidelines, and always include a postcode if possible." For international mail, the destination country should be written on the final line in capital letters.
Anyone unsure about a postcode can use Royal Mail's Postcode Finder to double-check the details before sending. This guidance does not mean customers need to abandon handwriting addresses altogether; rather, it is intended to help ensure addresses remain legible throughout the sorting and delivery process.
