Choosing the right envelope is a combination of finding the right style, paper, size and message. We can help you with all of these choices.
Envelope Style
Announcement, Baronial, Booklet, Catalog, Commercial, Remittance are several types of envelope styles to choose from. This page is intended to help you by presenting the various options available and providing some hints on ways to save money.
Announcement Envelopes
Announcement Envelopes are preceded with an A designation (Example A-2) which indicates the size of the envelope. Sizing starts with A-2 (4-3/8″ tall by 5-3/4″ wide) and typically goes as high as A-10 (6″ tall by 9-1/2″ wide). These envelopes have a large square flap and side seam. Popular for cards, stationery, photographs, announcements and invitations. These envelopes typically use text paper (see our section on basis weights and paper types). The large square flap is a great place to put a return address to give your product a distinct look. These can be machine insertable but are not all compatible. There are usually several varieties of announcement envelopes in stock. Announcement envelopes usually come in boxes of 250 and cartons of 1,000.
Baronial Envelopes
Baronial Envelopes are a more elegant look, associated with high end announcements, greeting cards or events. Distinguished by the deep V flap and diagonal seams, this envelope is attractive and eye-catching. The sizes on these envelopes range from 4 Bar (short for Baronial) to 6 Bar and an oversized LEE size. Basis paper is text. We keep a variety of baronial envelopes in stock. Baronial envelopes usually come in boxes of 250 and cartons of 1,000.
Booklet and Catalog Envelopes
Booklet envelopes open on the long end while catalogs open on the short end. These envelopes come in a variety of sizes from 6″ by 9″ to 10″ by 15″. Typical sizes are 6″x9″, 6-1/2″x9-1/2″, 9″x12″ and 10″x13″. These are usually special order envelopes, while we do have several types in stock. These are ideal envelopes for sending booklets and pamphlets, as they are usually more durable. Booklet and catalog envelopes usually come in boxes of 500.
Commercial Envelopes
Commercial envelopes is a term that refers to the regular sized envelopes. These are usually preceded by a number such as #10 which is the most often used size for letters. Typical sizes are shown in the picture below, but there are many other choices. Sizes range from a #6-1/4 to #16 (6″ by 12″). These are the most cost effective envelopes, especially if you stick with the most common sizes of #10 for your mailed pieces and a #9 for the return envelope. The most cost effective printed envelope is with black ink only, then a single color followed by 2 or more colors. Commercial envelopes come in boxes of 500 and cartons of 2,500. Choices include having a window on the envelope to reduce the time required to address each piece, and also a security tint can be placed inside the envelope to provide more privacy to the information inside. Sealing choices are also available, from the plain glue to Simple Seal (two flaps come together) to a Peal & Seal option.
Remittance Envelopes
Remittance envelopes are standard sized envelopes, usually either a #6-3/4 or #9. On the back, the flap is full length of the envelope, giving more room for graphics on the outside and for writing on the inside. These are very popular options when sending out requests for information or soliciting dues notices or fundraising. With a remittance, the inside of the flap areas can be used to contain text and information which can be sealed up with a check. We have a specially designed press which makes printing these envelopes fast and economical in a single pass through the press.
