Envelopes come in a vast array of styles that are categorized according to function and structure.
Some styles are more suitable for invitations and announcements while others are appropriate for business use. See below for information on the most commonly used envelope styles.
Envelope Styles & Sizes
When describing a particular envelope, you should include both the number and the category. For example, a #10 Commercial Envelope is a very different size than a #10 Booklet.
Envelopes with their closure on the short dimension are described as Open End envelopes.
Open Side envelopes have their closure on the long dimension.
Commercial and Official
Standard correspondence envelopes. Open-sided with gummed flaps. Envelope sizes typically available with windows are marked with an asterisk* on the Size Reference Chart.
| Item/No. | Size (w x h) |
|---|---|
| #5 | 3.0625 x 5.5 |
| #6 | 3.375 x 6 |
| #6-¼* | 3.5 x 6 |
| #6-½ | 3.5625 x 6.5 |
| #6-¾* | 3.625 x 6.5 |
| #7* | 3.75 x 6.75 |
| #7-½ | 3.75 x 7.625 |
| #7-¾* (Monarch) | 3.875 x 7.5 |
| #8-⅝* (Check) | 3.625 x 8.625 |
| #9* | 3.875 x 8.875 |
| #10* | 4.125 x 9.5 |
| #10-½ | 4.5 x 9.5 |
| #11* | 4.5 x 10.375 |
| #12* | 4.75 x 11 |
| #14* | 5 x 11.5 |
Booklet
For use with booklets, folders and other types of direct mail. Open-sided.
| Item/No. | Size (w x h) |
|---|---|
| #2-1/2 | 4.5 x 5.875 |
| #3 | 4.75 x 6.5 |
| #4-½ | 5 x 7.5 |
| #5 | 5.5 x 8.5 |
| #6 | 5.75 x 8.875 |
| #6-½ | 6 x 9 |
| #6-¾ | 6.5 x 9.5 |
| #7 | 6.25 x 9.625 |
| #7-¼ | 7 x 10 |
| #7-½ | 7.5 x 10.5 |
| #8 | 8 x 11.125 |
| #9 | 8.75 x 11.5 |
| #9-½ | 9 x 12 |
| #10 | 9.5 x 12.625 |
| #13 | 10 x 13 |
Announcement or A-Style
Made for use with a wide range of matching text and cover papers. May also have deckle (ragged cut) edge and flaps.
| Item/No. | Size (w x h) |
|---|---|
| A2 | 4.375 x 5.75 |
| A6 | 4.75 x 6.5 |
| A7 | 5.25 x 7.25 |
| A8 | 5.5 x 8.125 |
| A10 | 6 x 9.5 |
| A-Long | 3.875 x 8.875 |
Remittance
Large flaps allow ample space for printing messages. Used for payment, coupons, applications, statements, etc.
| Item/No. | Size (w x h) |
|---|---|
| #6-¼ | 3.5 x 6 |
| #6-½ | 3.5 x 6.125 |
| #6-¾ | 3.625 x 6.5 |
| #9 | 3.875 x 8.875 |
Catalog
Open-end style. Wide seams with heavy gummed flaps provide good protection for mail handling of catalogs, magazines, reports, etc.
| Item/No. | Size (w x h) |
|---|---|
| #1 | 6 x 9 |
| #1-¾ | 6.5 x 9.5 |
| #2 | 6.5 x 10 |
| #3 | 7 x 10 |
| #6 | 7.5 x 10.5 |
| #7 | 8 x 11 |
| #8 | 8.25 x 11.25 |
| #9-½ | 8.5 x 10.5 |
| #9-¾ | 8.75 x 11.25 |
| #10-½ | 9 x 12 |
| #12-½ | 9.5 x 12.5 |
| #13-½ | 10 x 13 |
| #14-¼ | 11.25 x 14.25 |
| #14-½ | 11.5 x 14.5 |
Metal Clasp
Strong and durable. Ideal for mailing bulky papers and heavy publications.
| Item/No. | Size (w x h) |
|---|---|
| #0 | 2.5 x 4.125 |
| #5 | 3.125 x 5.5 |
| #10 | 3.375 x 6 |
| #11 | 4.5 x 10.375 |
| #14 | 5 x 11.5 |
| #15 | 4 x 6.375 |
| #25 | 4.625 x 6.75 |
| #35 | 5 x 7.5 |
| #50 | 5.5 x 8.25 |
| #55 | 6 x 9 |
| #63 | 6.5 x 9.5 |
| #68 | 7 x 10 |
| #75 | 7.5 x 10 |
| #80 | 8 x 11 |
| #83 | 8.5 x 11.5 |
| #87 | 8.75 x 11.25 |
| #90 | 9 x 12 |
| #93 | 9.5 x 12.5 |
| #94 | 9.25 x 14.5 |
| #95 | 10 x 12 |
| #97 | 10 x 13 |
| #98 | 10 x 15 |
| #105 | 11.5 x 14.5 |
| #110 | 12 x 15.5 |
Business Announcement and Baronial
Formal envelopes with deep, pointed flaps. Widely used for invitations, formal announcements, greeting and social cards.
| Item/No. | Size (w x h) |
|---|---|
| Gladstone | 3.5625 x 5.5625 |
| #4 Baronial | 3.625 x 5.125 |
| #5 Baronial | 4.125 x 5.125 |
| #5-¼ Baronial | 4.25 x 5.25 |
| #5-½ Baronial | 4.375 x 5.625 |
| #6 Baronial | 5 x 6.25 |
| #110 | 5 x 7.25 |
| Lee | 5.25 x 7.25 |
| #137 | 5.5 x 8.5 |
Printing on envelopes
The process of die-cutting, folding and gluing an envelope is called Conversion.
You can print on an envelope either before or after conversion.
Typically it’s quicker and less expensive to print on pre-converted, ready-made envelopes, but design options are limited. Bleeds are not achievable when printing on ready-made envelopes, and halftones may be problematic with some formats.
Printing on envelopes before conversion affords the full range of design possibilities, but can take significantly longer to produce when compared to ready-made envelopes.
Production Guidelines
- Determine your envelope size and send to press as early as possible. Envelopes generally take longer to produce than other types of printing.
- Coated paper is not recommended if you are planning to laser imprint addresses.
