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    Envelope Styles and Sizes

    There are plenty of envelope types and sizes available — they differ by size, flap type, may have windows. In this article we'll describe the most important types of envelopes, though the stress will be made on envelopes, which you can print upon with a regular inkjet or laser printer using Labels & Addresses or other similar software.

    Construction

    This picture illustrates various parts of an envelope. The variations of these parts create different envelope styles.

    Parts of an envelope

    The envelopes with the opening and seal flap located on the short dimension are called Open End envelopes. Those with the flap on the long dimension are called Open Side envelopes. Such envelopes are ideal for automatic insertion applications.

    Open side and Open end

    Flap Styles

    The flap is the part of the envelope that is folded to seal the envelope. The main flap shapes are shown in the illustration.

    Flap styles

    Sizes and Styles

    There are two main envelope standard systems we're going to review. The first is used in the USA (US envelopes are also often known as Standard), the other is the ISO metric system used in Europe and many other parts of the world. The envelope sizes may vary from tiny to huge, and there are dozens of them of sizes available. Though you'll hardly use more than 4-5 most common sizes in your everyday practice, it's a good to have an understanding of other possible styles and sizes.

    Standard (US)

    Standard

    The US (or Standard) envelopes are divided in several groups by their style and application. The sizes are listed in inches, the shortest dimension first.ong>Commercial

    These are the most popular envelopes for business correspondence, that we send and receive every day. They usually have commercial flap.
    They are mostly used for letterheads, invoices, statements, checks, writing stationery and direct marketing mailings.

     #  Size
     6 1/4  3 1/2" x 6"
     6 3/4  3 5/8" x 6 1/2"
     7 3/4  3 7/8" x 7 1/2"
     8 5/8  3 5/8" x 8 5/8"
     9  3 7/8" x 8 7/8"
     10  4 1/8" x 9 1/2"
     11  4 1/2" x 10 3/8"
     12  4 3/4" x 11"
     14  5" x 11 1/2"
    Commercial

    Note: The 7 3/4 envelope with pointed flap is also known as Monarch.

    Announcement

    These are very common envelopes. The flaps are usually pointed or flat.
    Mostly used for announcements, invitations, cards, small booklets, brochures or promotional pieces.

     #  Size
     A-2  4 3/8" x 5 3/4"
     A-6  4 3/4" x 6 1/2"
     A-7  5 1/4" x 7 1/4"
     A-8  5 1/2" x 8 1/8"
     A-10  6" x 9 1/2"
     Slim  3 7/8" x 8 7/8"
    Announcement

    Baronial

    These are more formal envelopes, are deeper and typically use a pointed flap. They are popular for invitations.

     #  Size
     2  3 3/16" x 4 1/4"
     4  3 5/8" x 4 5/8"
     5  4 1/8" x 5 1/8"
     5 1/4  4 1/4" x 5 1/4"
     5 1/2  4 3/8" x 5 5/8"
     5 3/4  4 1/2" x 5 3/4"
     6  5" x 6"
    Baronial

    Booklet

    These envelopes are mostly used for sending catalogs, folders and the like.

     #  Size
     3  4 3/4" x 6 1/2"
     5  5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
     6  5 3/4" x 8 7/8"
     6 1/2  6" x 9"
     7  6 1/4" x 9 5/8"
     7 1/2  7 1/2" x 10 1/2"
     9  8 3/4" x 11 1/2"
     9 1/2  9" x 12"
     10  9 1/2" x 12 5/8"
     13  10" x 13"
    Booklet

    Catalog

    This style of envelope is mainly used for catalogs, magazines and reports.

     #  Size
     1  6" x 9"
     1 3/4  6 1/2" x 9 1/2"
     2  6 1/2" x 10"
     3  7" x 10"
     6  7 1/2" x 10 1/2"
     7  8" x 11"
     8  8 1/4" x 11 1/4"
     9 1/2  8 1/2" x 10 1/2"
     9 3/4  8 3/4" x 11 1/4"
     10 1/2  9" x 12"
     12 1/2  9 1/2" x 12 1/2"
     13 1/2  10" x 13"
     14 1/4  11 1/4" x 14 1/4"
     14 1/2  11 1/2" x 14 1/2"
    Catalog

    There are also Metal Clasp, Coins, and probably other styles, which are not listed here because they are either rare, too small or too large, or not suitable for printing (such as Metal Clasp).

    Window Envelopes (US)

    Window envelopes are most often used for bills, though they're also popular for marketing purposes. They are cost-efficient, since the name and address shows through the window, eliminating the need to address the envelope. Normally translucent plastic is used as the window material. Open window envelopes are growing in popularity as more environmentally friendly, however, they are less secure.

    Single-Window Envelopes

    Theoretically, nearly each envelope type and size may have a window, this generally depends on the manufacturer. The most common (and recommended by USPS) window size is 1 1/8 x 4 1/2, and the position 7/8 in from left and 1/2 (often 5/8) in from bottom, but there are lots of variations.

    Single-Window Envelope

    Double-Window Envelopes

    Such envelopes are often used for checks and invoices. The three probably most popular envelope sizes with double windows are:

    Double-Window Envelopes

    Note: The sizes and positions of windows may vary greatly, and depending on the manufacturer. There are no standards for these (at least which we are aware of).

    ISO Envelope Standards

    These envelopes are widely used all over the world. The C series was designed to accommodate ISO A paper sizes . For example, a C5 envelope will accommodate an A5 sheet flat or an A4 folded once. The B series is an alternative, and is much less common than the C series. The sizes are provided in millimeters and in inches (for reference).

     Name  Size, mm  Size, in  Content Format and Comments
     C3  324 x 458  12 3/4 x 18 A3 sheet; Not very common
     B4  250 x 353  9 7/8 x 13 7/8 C4 envelope
     C4  229 x 324  9 x 12 3/4 A4 sheet; Very common
     B5  176 x 250  7 x 9 7/8 C5 envelope
     C5  162 x 229  6 3/8 x 9 A4 folded once = A5; Very common
     B6  125 x 176  5 x 7 A4 folded in quarters; Very common
     C6  114 x 162  4 1/2 x 6 3/8 A4 folded in quarters; Very common
     DL  110 x 220  4 1/4 x 8 3/4 A4 sheet folded in thirds, A5 sheet folded in half lengthwise; Very common
     C6/C5  114 x 229  4 1/2 x 9 A4 sheet folded in thirds; Common
     C7/6  81 x 162  3 1/4 x 6 3/8 A5 sheet folded in thirds; Uncommon
     C7  81 x 114  3 1/4 x 4 1/2 A5 sheet folded in quarters; Uncommon

    Note: Although DL is not part of the ISO C series, it is a very widely used standard size.

     






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