Envelopes 101
Envelope 1 is a premier national envelope supplier, with the experience and expertise to provide solutions for you and your customers. From business envelopes to announcement envelopes and everything in between. Envelope 1 is here to aid you with our knowledge and experience for all your envelope needs.
Envelope Basics
Regardless of size or variations, an envelope has the same basic parts: corners, flaps, folds, shoulders, throat, seals and seams.
Envelope Front
Envelope Back
| Components of an Envelope |
|---|
| (1) Seal Flap – The flap normally left open for inserting an envelope’s contents. |
| (2) Gum Area – The adhesive that seals an envelope. |
| (3) Top Fold – The fold that creates the seal flap of the envelope. |
| (4) Back Flap – The back panel of the envelope. |
| (5) Bottom Fold – The fold at the bottom creating the back flap. |
| (6) Throat – Space between the top of an envelope’s back flap and its top flap crease line. |
| (7) Side Flap – The side panels of an envelope. |
| (8) Side Fold – The fold where the side flaps are folded down. |
| (9) Shoulder – The part of an envelope where the side flaps crease with the seal flap. |
| (10) Side seam under – An envelope with its side seam folded under its back flap. |
How to Measure an Envelope
How to Measure Window Positions
Window Patches
the most common patching material. Glassine is a less transparent material that is biodegradable; it
is typically found on recycled envelopes. Heat resistant patches are used if the envelope will need to
withstand the heat of a laser printer.
Envelope Closures
Full Gum
Split Gum
Live Stamp
| Envelope Closures |
|---|
| Full Gum – The gum starts at one side of the seal flap and running to the other side. |
| Split Gum – The gum is set up with small starts and stops across the flap. |
| Live Stamp – Gum is not placed where the stamp is located on the face of the envelope. |
Security Tints
but also adds a touch of elegance to your mailings. Say goodbye to traditional, one-size-fits-all security
tints and hello to versatility and sophistication. With our variable color security tint, you can customize
the level of protection you need while maintaining a professional appearance. Whether it’s confidential
contracts, financial statements, or personal letters, our envelopes ensure your information remains
confidential and secure.
Color Tint Options
Our security tint envelopes can be any color and will be sure to make a statement with every
correspondence. Below are a few common choices of security Tint patterns and colors.
Custom options are available upon request.
Reflex Blue
Cyan
Tint Gray
Cool Gray
Custom Colors
Black
Barbed Leaf
Basket Weave
Basket Weave 2
Brick
Checker
Cheese Cloth
Pixelate
Confetti
Confetti 2
Confetti 3
Cross Hatch
Cross Hatch 2
Lines
Lines 2
Orange Peel
Wesco
Wood Grain
Wood Grain 2
Flaps and Window Styles
When it comes to envelope design, you have to consider each of it’s components. This can help you
decide on the perfect stock product or create a custom envelope to fits your projects needs!
Seal Flap Styles
Bottom and side flaps form an envelope’s body and are usually permanently bonded in the folding
operation. Seal flaps vary widely among envelopes styles. The most common flap shapes are:
Standard Commercial Flap
The most common style of seal flap. Envelope 1 uses this style primarily on our
commercial envelopes. This style is the default style for our #9 and #10 envelopes.
Scalloped Flap
Banker Flap
Wallet Flap
Hub
Cheese blades
Extension
Window Styles
A window on an envelope is a cutout or transparent area typically covered with a clear plastic film. Windows
are commonly used in business envelopes for a more professional appearance. It can also be a great way of
driving interest before opening the envelope. Envelope 1 offers many styles of window shapes from square,
rectangle, circle to pistol windows. We offer fully custom placements and shapes upon request. Below are
the ranges of each window style size readily available for you to choose from.
Single Window
Double Window
Triple Window
Quad Window
| Window Style | Dimensions (Inches) | Dimensions (Inches) | Dimensions (Inches) | Dimensions (Inches) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single Window* | (3/8 – 4-5/8) x (1-1/4 – 8) | —- | —- | —- |
| Double Window* | (1/2 – 2-7/8) x (1-1/8 – 5) | (3/8 – 2-5/8) x (1/2 – 4-1/2) | —- | —- |
| Triple Window* | (3/4 – 1-3/8) x (2-3/4 – 4) | (5/8 – 1-1/2) x (1 – 4) | (3/4 – 1-1/2) x (2-1/8 – 4) | —- |
| Quad Window* | 1-3/8 x 4 | 7/16 x 3/8 | 7/16 x 3/8 | 7/16 x 3/8 |
Specialty Options
Envelope 1 provides a variety of specialized product capabilities, enabling us to create something
entirely distinctive or just slightly modified. Our proficiency in crafting custom envelopes ensures the
delivery of a tailored solution that meets the specific needs of you and your customers.
Embossed Envelopes
An overall embossed envelope is a great way to add tactility and distinction in the hands of your mail
recipient. With the addition of an overall embossed texture such as vertical groove, diagonal groove,
bubble or linen embossing, your #10 business envelope or even #9 return envelopes will stand out.
Literally. Its a chance to remind your mail recipients to act in a touching manner.
Vertical Embossing
Diagonal Embossing
Bubble Embossing
Linen Embossing
Perforated Envelopes
When it comes to customer engagement, these unique direct mail envelopes will make your
envelope a memorable interactive experience. Consider one of our attention grabbing options as
part of your next mail campaign. We offer zipper strips, perforated flaps, opening edge perforations
and Window reveal. These fully customizable perforations will be sure to increase interaction with
your mail piece. Below are a few of our popular choices.
Opening Edge Perforation
Perforated Flaps
Zipper Strip Perforation
