Are You Using The Correct Envelopes?

Whatever type of business you are or how large your business is, you can pretty sure that you need to send and receive post. Invoices, marketing goods, even products – they are all sent in the post. In a lot of cases you will be using envelopes to send your mail. However not all envelopes are the same and it is important to ensure you are using the correct envelope for your post.

This quick guide will go through all of the most common and popular types of envelope you might need. Most of them can even be provided by Mailcoms – view our range of envelopes here.

Envelope Sizes

Paper comes in different sizes, most commonly being A4, and as such envelopes are no different. For every size of paper you can send, there is at least one envelope designed for it.

DL – 110 x 220mm

One of the most common envelopes used is the DL. A DL envelope requires standard 1st or 2nd class postage stamps and is perfect when sending a single sheet or multiple sheets of A4 paper folded twice.

C6 – 114 x 162mm

C6 envelopes are designed for sending A4 paper folded into equal quarters. Alternatively C6 envelopes are also designed for sending A6 pieces of paper and card or A5 card and paper folded in half.

C5 – 162 x 229mm

C5 is the largest sized envelope that can be used with standard 1st or 2nd class postage. You will need to check the weight of your envelope with its contents to ensure the correct postage has been applied and this can be easily achieved with a franking machine. Use C5 envelopes when sending a A4 sheets of paper folded once in half, or an unfolded sheet of A5 paper.

C4 – 324 x 229mm

A C4 envelope is known as a large letter envelope and is perfectly designed for postage using 1st and 2nd class postage. This will depend on the contents and weight of the package however, so check with scales and a postage chart to double check. An unfolded sheet of A4 will fit in these envelopes – ideal for sending important business documents.

Envelope Weight

The weight of an envelope refers to the thickness of the paper that is used and it is measured in grams per square metre. The thickness of the envelope will depend on how much protection the content of the envelope requires, any postage costs, or even just to impress a client with a quality delivery.

80gsm

A lightweight and reliable envelope, 80gsm is perfect for sending invoices and receipts. They are also great for everyday mail that includes up to three sheets of A4 paper.

90gsm

A slightly stronger envelope with more opacity. This is ideal when sending more secure and sensitive contents. Usually capable of sending up to fifteen sheets of paper at one time.

100 – 110 gsm

These are a much thicker envelope, ideally designed for sending letterhead correspondence to make a great first impression to your customers and clients.

120 – 130gsm

These are some of the strongest envelopes available. These are capable of securely holding bulkier contents and brochures through the post.

Envelope Seal

Ensuring your post gets delivered safely and sealed is a given. You have to be sure the correct seal is used and used correctly. As such there are few options available here.

Gummed Envelopes

These are the traditional ‘lick and stick’ envelopes where wetting the gummed flap enables it to stick down securely every time. These are the perfect envelope type for use in a folding inserting machine where the flap is automatically moistened in the machine, rather than your tongue.

Peel and Seal Envelopes

These have a strip of tape applied to the envelope which is peeled to then seal the flap. These are labour intensive as they need to be done by hand meaning they are not suitable for sending large mailouts. They do however have a longer shelf life than machine compatible envelopes.

Self Seal Envelopes

These are sealed by simply pressing down the flap to the envelope. These are perfect for convenience and are often sent out to customers as return envelopes. The seal can be considered an additional level of security as well once sealed.

Type & Style Of Envelopes

We have covered the size, weight and seal of an envelope, but what about the different types of envelopes that are available? Let’s find out more below.

Pocket Envelopes

Pocket envelopes are used for most franked mail, next day post and general receptionist / office usage. These have the opening along the short side of the envelope.

Wallet Envelopes

These open along the long side of the envelope and these are the most commonly used envelopes. These are the ones you’ll see going into a folding inserting machine and used in mass mailing.

Banker Envelopes

Banker envelopes will be more recognisable as greetings card envelopes coming with the triangle shaped flap sealing the envelope shut. Commonly used for birthday cards and invitations.

Window Envelopes

As the name suggests, these have a window to enable the address to be seen on the outside of the enclosed letter. This can save time with addressing your envelopes as the address will be visible via the window.

Gusset Envelopes

Gusset envelopes have expanding sides that allow for larger documents, catalogues and bulky paperwork to fit inside properly and securely. Most commonly used in C4 size.

Padded and Bubble Lined Envelopes

Also referred to as a jiffy bag, padded & bubble lined envelopes are as the name suggest very padded and used to protect the contents inside during transportation. They are lightweight and they can be franked which makes them perfect for sending items through the post at lower cost.

Security Envelopes

Protective or security envelopes are used to protect all documents enclosed. Many are tamperproof and tear resistant. These envelopes often come with a dark opaque to prevent the contents from being seen without opening.

Polythene Envelopes

If you need to protect the contents of your mail from water, a strong plastic envelope such as a polythene envelope could be what you need. They can be used to protect any contents, just put one or several items inside and seal. These are used frequently for sending medical, financial and secure documents in the post.

Why Not Frank Your Envelopes

A franking machine can be used to frank your envelopes and a franking machine is a dead set to bring down your postage costs. Franked mail is not only cheaper but it also eliminates the possibility of over or under paying for postage and is much more convenient to use. Mailcoms are one of the Royal Mail’s Authorised independent inspectors and maintainers of franking machines and as such we can provide you with a Mailmark franking machine to suit your needs.

A Mailmark franking machine can help massively when sending your mail. If you are interested in getting a franking machine or upgrading to a Mailmark franking machine with even lower prices available, then please view our franking machine page here or call us today on 01543 572 776.