Best Envelopes – Smart Tips on How To Choose
It’s important to choose the right envelope. Envelopes aren’t as simple as one might think as they vary in form, style, size, and material. We’re here to help you find the best envelopes for your next project or mass mailing.
E-mail is quick and easy but has not taken the place of handwritten or typed letters one might send in the mail using an envelope (commonly referred to as snail mail).
As expected, when mailing or shipping through carriers, one will need an envelope, box, or mailer. Envelopes are one of the easiest and most common encompassment for securely transporting anything from handwritten correspondence, catalogs, business proposals, including wedding invitations, announcements, and small products alike.
Envelopes aren’t as simple as one might think as they vary in form, style, size, and material. When you are in need of the best envelopes, take time to evaluate your options.
Business Envelopes
We show a nice variety of US envelope sizes on our envelope size chart. Interestingly, the most common sizes fall into the business category, often referred to as commercial envelopes. The #10 business envelope tends to be the most popular among our commercial style envelopes.
When you think of business, you might also think of window envelopes, catalogs, booklet, remittance, and many other commercially used envelopments. Sometimes, square envelopes can cross the lines between business and social, depending on the type of paper used and flap styles.
Speaking of flap styles, many varieties of flap styles are available. We’ll expand on this in another article.
Social and Greeting Card Envelopes
Greeting card envelopes are usually classified by the Baronial and Announcement size grid (commonly referred to as BAR & A-STYLE). Wedding invitation designers and card makers tend to use these sizes to present a classic and elegant message quite nicely.
These styles can have coordinating colors, accent colors, and many other options to create a unique, high-quality invitation or formal announcement. Having a matching card and envelope is not always necessary when the creative heart harmonizes colors and contrasting themes.
This envelope grouping is truly specialty envelopes intended to announce how exceptional you and your event will be.
The Rainbow
Envelopes come in a rainbow of different colors. Regardless of professional or social, one can create the perfect “open-me” appeal with something as simple as an excellent color choice. Not surprisingly, though, whites and naturals are still the most popular envelopes on the market.
Don’t hesitate to branch out if feeling festive, but not to worry, elegance and professionalism are strongly represented with simple pale shades with a high-quality paper used to convert your envelope choice.
Dimensions and Style – Best Envelopes
Consider the dimensions and shape when deciding on the most appropriate size and style for what you need to mail. If postage is a concern, be sure to visit the USPS website to learn more about specific envelope sizes that have extra charges due to their unique dimensions.
Additionally, be aware of weight as this will impact your postage, even for a traditional envelope, yet weighing more than the classic stamp allows. When thinking about inserts, it is essential to create your insert smaller than your envelope dimensions.
For the best success, start with the envelope, then design your insert to fit into this envelope. A classic error is to make a fantastic card and then find out there isn’t an envelope on the market to envelop it properly. Think movement, much like a comfortable pair of jeans, your insert needs a little space, but not too much.
To make a lasting first impression, be sure to complete your personal and professional correspondence with the perfectly selected envelope.
Learn more as PaperPapers.com expounds on sizes, styles, and other envelope characteristics.
