Envelopes are a versatile and essential tool for sending correspondence and other items through the mail. They help to keep your mail secure and protected until they arrive at the intended recipient’s home or place of business. How they look might even influence whether a piece of mail gets opened upon arrival or immediately discarded!
To ensure that your important mail gets into the right hands and is eventually opened, you need to choose the right envelope for the job! As there are dozens of envelope varieties to choose from for various types of mail with different sizes, colours, and seal options, choosing the right one can sometimes feel overwhelming! In this article, you will find everything you need to know about envelopes, from different types to the best ways to use them!
If don’t have any mailing experience, it’s easy to assume that one type of envelope will work for all your mailing needs. In reality there are dozens of envelope types made for specific pieces of mail!
Having an item-specific envelope for your mail eliminates the need for cramming and protects your items or correspondence from falling out or getting damaged during transit. It also makes it more obvious to your recipients what they’re receiving.
When choosing an envelope, it is important to consider the size, style, and material of the envelope, as well as the contents of the envelope and the shipping method.
- Size: The envelope should be big enough to accommodate the contents without being too large or too small.
- Style: The style of the envelope should match the occasion. A formal invitation should be sent in an appropriate form, such as a baronial envelope.
- Material: The material of the envelope should be appropriate for the contents and the shipping method. For example, you should always ship a fragile item in a padded envelope.
- Closure: Envelopes can have a variety of closure mechanisms, such as peel-and-stick, self-sealing flaps, and gummed flaps. The closure mechanism should be convenient and secure.
Another important characteristic that you need to consider is the material that your envelopes will be made of. As with the above we have a variety of options here:
Kraft paper: A durable, versatile, and affordable paper option made from wood pulp.
Recycled paper: An eco-friendly envelope option repurposed from wastepaper products.
Cardstock paper: A thick and durable envelope option used for more formal pieces of mail.
Tear-resistant paper: Rip- and moisture-resistant yet lightweight paper material made to hold up in transit and protect important documents.
Wove paper: Untextured economical paper available in several colour and weight variations; a common option for posted mail.
Surface-enhanced white wove: A type of smooth, uniformly textured paper with a clean, bright white appearance.
For small or lightweight everyday mail, the best option for your budget would be a practical and economical choice such as the kraft, recycled, or wove envelopes. However, if you’re sending a wedding invitation or a formal announcement, an eye-catching cardstock envelope may be more ideal. In the end, your own personal preference and the importance of the content should be the main considerations when selecting a material for your mail.
Now that we know exactly what we’re looking for- let’s explore our options:
Coloured Envelopes – Coloured envelopes are a great way to make your mail stand out from the crowd. They can be used for a variety of purposes, including sending personal correspondence, business mailings, and direct mail campaigns. Try these Basildon Bond coloured envelopes to make sure your mail gets noticed!
Manilla Envelopes – a versatile and durable type of envelope that can be used for a variety of purposes. They are typically made from a strong, kraft paper material that is resistant to tearing and moisture. Manila envelopes are also relatively inexpensive, making them a good choice for businesses and individuals alike. Browse our New Guardian manilla envelopes to find exactly what you need!
Plain White Envelopes – Plain white envelopes are the most common type of envelope used for everyday correspondence. Available in a variety of sizes to accommodate different types of contents. The most common size for business letters is A4, while the most common size for personal correspondence is A6. Plain white envelopes are also available with different closure mechanisms, such as gummed flaps, self-sealing flaps, and peel-and-stick closures. Here at Staples we offer a wide selection of Plain White Envelopes – our Basildon Bond, Plus Fabric, E-Green ranges are a good place to start!
White Window Envelopes – featuring a transparent window that allows the recipient to see the address of the sender without opening the envelope. They are often used for business correspondence and direct mail campaigns. Our selection of White Window Envelopes includes trusted brands like Plus Fabric, Basildon Bond, E-Green, Postmaster!
Bubble Envelopes – Bubble envelopes are a type of envelope that is lined with bubble wrap. This provides a layer of cushioning to protect the contents of the envelope from shock and vibration damage. Bubble envelopes are a good choice for mailing fragile items, such as electronics, glassware, and ceramics.
Padded Envelopes – Padded envelopes are a type of envelope that is lined with a soft, cushioning material, such as bubble wrap or foam. This provides a layer of protection to prevent the contents of the envelope from being damaged during shipping. Padded envelopes are a good choice for mailing fragile items, such as electronics, glassware, and ceramics.
Security Envelopes – Security envelopes are a type of envelope that is designed to protect confidential information from unauthorized access. They typically have several features to make them more tamper-evident and secure, such as security lining, tamper-evident seals, and reinforced construction! Choose our Tyvek Security Envelopes ranges for the ultimate peace of mind!
There are however tasks that require a heavy-duty approach to shipping while treating our precious planet with a gentle touch! For those try our E-Green range! e-Green is the ideal packaging range for online shops that pay attention to sustainability and the reduction of plastic packaging – and that want to increase the efficiency of their shipping processes. e-Green bags are designed to meet both challenges. They are made from 100% strong Kraft paper and are fully recyclable and biodegradable. As the bags adjust to the content, no unnecessary volume or air is being transported.
Once you understand the basics of how to choose an envelope and explore all the options, finding the correct ones will become very easy! Browse our envelopes range to explore all your options!
