Much like paper itself, there are many different shapes, sizes, and styles of envelopes to choose from, causing it to be a hard decision at times to choose the best one for you. Some envelopes are used for invites, some for advertising, and others for booklets. Whether you’re choosing an envelope for mailing, presentations, or simply organization, here are some of the most common envelope sizes and styles.
Commercial
Commercial envelopes (sometimes referred to as Official envelopes) are used for both business and personal purposes. Normally, they come with diagonal seams and a standard commercial flap. However, they are also offered with a pointed or square flap. They are available with or without windows, and often include a remoistenable seal gum or tape-like self-sealing closures.
The No. 10 envelope is the most popular size in the commercial envelope group and is perfect for inserting a normally folded 8.5″ x 11″ letterhead paper.
Square Flap
The elegance and sophistication of a square flap on the back of an envelope goes a level beyond standard envelopes and lets the user know that there’s something notable inside. These flaps come in a variety of different sizes including catalog, A-Style, #10, and square envelopes.
Side-Seam
There are different construction styles to different kinds of envelopes and for different reasons. The graphic above shows where the glue holds the envelope together on each of the different seam styles. Side-seam envelopes are put together with two vertical glue seams, diagonal-seam envelopes are put together with three triangular flaps and two diagonal glue seams, and center-seam envelopes are put together with three rectangular flaps, one vertical glue seam, and one horizontal glue seam.
Side-seam envelopes give a more finished look, whereas diagonal-seam envelopes are more practical, cost-effective, and available. Center-seam envelopes are created to be more durable, allowing for the mailing of more heavyweight materials.
A-Style / Announcement
A-Style envelopes fall into the announcement category since they are commonly used for invitations, postcards, promotional pieces, and business stationary. Generally, these envelopes are crafted with a square flap and and side seams.
These envelopes come in a range of sizes, including:
A-Style11 envelope sizes are determined by cutting the previous envelope size in half. For example, A1 envelopes are half the size of A0 envelopes, A2 envelopes are half the size of A1 envelopes, and so on and so forth. A diagram of this can be seen below.
Square
Square envelopes are all about symmetry and balance, making them a very elegant choice of envelope. These come in a variety of sizes from mini (3 1/4″) to calendar sized (12 1/2″). Most square envelopes are matched with a square flap, but they are also available in different styles such as pointed flap, commercial flap, and rounded flap. However, keep in mind that mailing a square envelope through USPS will require additional postage due to the shape.
Catalog (Open End)
Catalog envelopes (also known as Open End envelopes) have a center seam that makes them more durable and allow for the shipping of heavier weight materials. These envelopes are often used for sales presentations, leave-behind projects, mailing heavyweight books, etc.
Much like other envelope types, Catalog envelopes are offered with a variety of different closures. Some of these closures include peel-to-seal closures that function similar to double sided tape, metal clasp closures that flatten after being pushed through a hole, and button and string closures, which feature 2 buttons that a string wraps a figure-8 pattern around to keep the envelope closed.
Booklet (Open Side)
Similar to Catalog envelopes, Booklet envelopes (also known as Open Side envelopes) are a no-fail option for direct mailing large documents. Even though these envelopes are usually used for booklets, magazines, and catalogs, they can ship anything that fits including pamphlets, brochures, guides, and flyers. These envelopes are unique in the fact that they open on the long side rather than the top.
Origami
Origami envelopes aren’t bought at a store, they’re made by hand out of any paper you can think of. Origami envelopes are kept sealed by the folding of the paper itself, with no need for glue or seams. While these envelopes aren’t created for mass production and often times aren’t even crafted for mailing, they are still a favorite among many for greeting cards, invites, handwritten notes, and other crafts.
While my experience with envelopes is fairly limited, I myself am glad to have learned more about envelopes and what they have to offer. Although there are a plentiful amount of more envelope styles available, I hope that this post has cleared up any confusion on the most popular envelope types used today.
References
https://www.jampaper.com/Envelopes/WhiteEnvelopes/WhiteBookletEnvelopes