Different Types of Envelopes Want to learn a little bit more about envelope types?
The first question to ask yourself is: what type of envelope do you want or need to use?
There are many standard styles to choose from for your envelope printing.
• A-Style or Announcement envelopes are open side envelopes with deep flaps and side seams, often used for greeting cards and announcements. These are a popular choice for envelope printing.
• Baronial envelopes are used for formal invitations and announcements that have an open side and a nearly square shape. These are a popular choice in envelope printing for weddings.
• Booklet envelopes are open side envelopes with small flaps and side seams that are used for booklets, brochures, catalogues, and other multi-page mailings.
• Catalogue envelopes are usually open end envelopes used for mailing heavier materials.
• Commercial envelopes are used for business and personal correspondence. The standard #10 envelope falls into this category. You can also get commercial envelopes with a single or double window to allow addresses to show.
These are a popular choice in envelope printing for businesses and stationery.
• Square envelopes are distinctive but nonstandard. They are primarily used for announcements and advertising, and may incur extra postage charges.
Standard sizes for commercial envelopes:
Reference # Envelope Size Enclosure Size
6 ¼ 3 ½ x 6 3 1/4 x 5 ¼
6 3/4 3 5/8 x 6 1/2 3 1/2 x 6 1/4
7 3/4 3 7/8 x 7 1/2 3 3/4 x 7 1/4
Monarch 3 7/8 x 7 1/2 3 3/4 x 7 1/4
9 3 7/8 x 8 7/8 3 3/4 x 8 5/8
10 4 1/8 x 9 1/2 4 x 9 1/4
11 4 1/2 x 10 3/8 4 1/4 x 10 1/8
Standard sizes for window envelopes:
Reference # Envelope Size Standard Window Size
6 1/4 3 1/2 x 6 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
6 3/4 3 5/8 x 6 1/2 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
8 5/8 3 5/8 x 8 5/8 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
8 5/8 3 5/8 x 8 5/8 1 x 4
7 3 3/4 x 6 3/4 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
Monarch 3 7/8 x 7 1/2 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
7 3/4 3 7/8 x 7 1/2 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
9 3 7/8 x 8 7/8 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
10 4 1/8 x 9 1/2 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
11 4 1/2 x 10 3/8 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
12 4 3/4 x 11 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
14 5 x 11 1/2 1 1/8 x 4 1/2
Standard sizes for A-series envelopes:
Reference # Envelope Size Enclosure Size
A-2 4 3/8 x5 3/4 4 3/16 x 5 1/2
A-6 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 4 5/8 x 6 3/16
A-7 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 5 x 6 7/8
A-8 5 1/2 x 8 1/8 5 1/4 x 7 3/4
A-Long 3 7/8 x 8 7/8 3 3/4 x 8 5/8
A-10 6 x 9 1/2 5 3/4 x 9 1/8
The six types of envelopes above are probably the most common kind of envelopes you’ll see and use in envelope printing.
But there are many more types of envelopes for many different uses.
• Accordion envelopes — also known as expanding envelopes — have folded gussets along the
sides and bottom to accommodate bulky items for storage or mailing.
• Airmail envelopes use a lighter paper stock to reduce overseas postage. The paper weight
is between 13 and 16 pounds and is preprinted with red and blue airmail markings.
• Bubble or padded envelopes are lined with bubble wrap to help protect small or fragile items in the mail.
• Clasp envelopes are catalogue style but have a metal clasp and reinforced hole so they
can be opened and closed many times.
Clasp envelopes may also have some kind of adhesive on the flap for extra security.
• Coin envelopes are another variation on the catalogue style, but much smaller.
They are non-mailable because they are so small. They are mainly used to hold and store coins, stamps, and other small objects.
• Inter-office envelopes have button and string closures and holes throughout the
length of the envelope to help recipients see when everything has been removed.
• Remittance envelopes are used for statements, applications, and other situations where
the recipient will be sending something back to the sender.
A variety of sizes are available — 6 ¼, 6 ½, 6 ¾, and 9. Remittance envelopes often have an extra large flap for printing additional
messages or special instructions.
• Ticket envelopes are used for movie, concert, and theater tickets. The standard ticket
envelope size is 4.4375 by 1.3125.
• Security envelopes are available in many standard sizes like #10 and #6 ¾.
These envelopes are printed with a tinted or patterned inside, which makes it harder to see the contents through the envelope paper.
• Wallet flap envelopes are available in commercial sizes like #10 and #12.
They usually have extra adhesive for extra security when mailing legal documents and bank statements.
