Envelope Printing for Your Invitations and Stationery

The word ‘envelope’ has originated from the French word ‘envelopper’, which means ‘to wrap in’. An envelope, in postal terms, means a container used for enclosing papers such as letterhead / letters, greeting cards, flat cards / invitations, booklets, catalogs, paperwork, magazines and much more. Postal services are the largest consumers of envelopes. An envelope is designed to provide secure packaging for letters and cards.

Types of Envelopes

Envelopes are generally made of paper or sturdy material like cardboard, depending on what they are being used for. They can also be made of other material like foil, corrugated sheet, plastic, and even bubbled material. Some maybe lined with linen for additional durability. Traditional envelopes are available in rhombus, kite or short-arm cross shapes. Depending on whether an envelope is used for home or business communication, they are available in different shapes, sizes, colors, materials and designs. The most common size of an envelope used by a majority of people is 4 3/8 by 5 ¾ inches or A2. The other size range includes #10, a6, and 2PAY, while colors can range from bright shades to lustrous finishes. Envelopes are also available in different textures.

Window envelopes have an incision made on the front side so that the paper within is visible. This slit is specially made to facilitate easy viewing of the postal address that is printed on the letter inside, which is folded in such a manner so that the address faces the front side. Window envelopes are used to save the sender the extra work of printing the same address a second time. The widow opening is covered with a transparent plastic film so that the address is easily discernible. In recent years, people have also been known to treat the area where they want the address to appear, with hot oil. This procedure makes the treated area translucent so that the address can be read easily.

Another type of envelope that we are all familiar with is the return envelope. Return envelopes are self-addressed and are generally inclusive of prepaid postage. They are used in courtesy reply mails, metered reply mails, or business reply mails. These are largely used by the direct mail industry as an effective means of receiving responses from the recipients.

Envelopes, which serve as receptacles for special items like CDs, coins, medical images like X-ray photographs, are specially designed. The regular characteristics of such envelopes include square or rectangular shapes and open-ended flaps with clasps, or self-pasting features like ‘peel and seal’. Envelopes made of recycled paper in earthy tones like tan or unbleached colors are also available for those who are eco-friendly.

Uses of Envelopes

Envelopes serve as an important front line image. Although envelopes are widely used by the postal system for mailing services, they are also used for sending invitations and greetings on special occasions like birthdays, festivals, showers, and weddings. Envelopes are also used for offering condolences when a friend or a relative passes away.

Correct Way of Using An Envelope

Using an envelope in the right manner is very essential. It is a simple case of; the first impression is the last impression. Hence, every effort should be made by the sender to enhance the appearance of an envelope in order to motivate the reader to take the desired action. This holds especially true in business communications.

Do not use mailing labels, and if you must, then use colored ones. The best way to address an envelope is to use a computer or a printer. Using colored fonts in bold prints and colored envelopes is a good way to make them attractive. Emphasize the envelope by using simulated handwriting. Avoid using rubber stamps for printing return addresses on envelopes. To make the envelope interesting, you can try printing a short message on it. Envelopes can be sealed by folding the flap and securing it with the help of wax, gum or any other pasting material. Using commemorative stamps, rather than the standard ones, is another great way of making the envelope more appealing.

For birthday and wedding invitations, you can try experimenting with pasting smileys and other attractive features. Try including or attaching lightweight and inexpensive objects like ribbons, lace and other embellishments. Use unusual formatting. Give a unique touch by using perfumed envelopes. This can be done easily by using special inks that the envelope manufacturer will be glad to supply. Give the reader a brief peek into the envelope, by using window envelopes. Illustrate it by using interesting letterheads rather than the conventional ones. Try giving the envelope a distinctive and individual look of its own.

Addressing an envelope is essential to ensure that its reaches its destination on time. Always print the return address on the upper left-hand corner. Address the envelope before inserting the material inside so that you don’t damage the material in any way. If using a pen to write the address, use waterproof ink.

Methods of Envelope Printing

There are four types of processes involved in producing envelopes. Start with manufacturing, proceeding on to supplying, printing and finally inserting. Usually the manufacturers are the same people who also supply the envelopes. Printing can either be done by the same company, or by some other. Companies that specialize in printing envelopes, also offer customized services. Offset lithography and flexography are the two most common methods of printing envelopes. Lithography is the cheapest. The use of pre-press and plate making equipment help to achieve printing of high quality. Special software is used in order to print addresses.

Envelopes are a vital part of both domestic as well as business communication.

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