In this envelope buying guide, you will not only be able to locate the envelope you are searching for but also gain information about the different types available. Our extensive assortment ranges from superior quality, high white envelopes to cost effective manila suitable for volume mailings. We aim to meet all your personal and professional mailing needs. You will find a selection of different weights, sizes, windows and materials designed to provide specific benefits like added protection or increased security.
Envelope Buying Guide
Before choosing a specific envelope, consider the following questions:
› How will you use the envelope and to whom will you send it?
› Which envelope format or size do I need?
› Which sealing/closure type should I choose?
› What are the differences in envelope styles?
› How do I determine the right window position?
› What does the paper weight of an envelope mean?
› What sustainability or green claims are available for envelopes?
Areas of Use
It is essential to think about what and to whom you will be sending your mail. This will determine what kind of features you will need. Will your mailings be of high volume or high quality? Will it contain just a single sheet of paper or bulky documents such as catalogues or small items. The below categories show which envelopes are suitable for which needs.
Regular Envelopes
• Fast & easy
• Cost effective & quality mailings
• Different degrees of whiteness
Expanding & Gusset Envelopes
• Expandable side seam
• For bulky documents
• Convenient for ecommerce
Mailing Bags
• Weatherproof protection
• Lightweighted & opaque
• Suitable for non fragile items
Padded & Protective Envelopes
• Ship safely & securely
• Protects delicate items
• Padded, bubble & hardback
Specialist Envelopes
• For all special purposes
• Non standard envelopes
All Envelopes
• In all sizes and formats
• Suitable for many purposes
Formats & Sizes
There are several standard envelope sizes designed to accommodate different A-sized sheets. Our range carries a few of the standard formats which, for example, match a full A4 sheet of paper. Below are images that demonstrate which paper size fits in which envelope and whether they need to be folded.
C4 (229 x 324 mm)
The best choice when you want to send unfolded A4 sheets
View productsDL (110 x 220 mm)
Widely used for daily business correspondence. Intended for A4 sheets that are folded into thirds.
View productsC5 (162 x 229 mm)
Suitable for A4 sheets that are folded in half or unfolded A5 sheets.
View productsC6 (114 x 162 mm)
Often used for informal mail and personal letters. Intended for A4 sheets that are folded into quarters.
View productsC3 (324 x 458 mm)
A more specialist size intended to carry unfolded A3 sheets.
View productsOther sizes
Includes all other sizes that are available at Viking
View productsBesides the most popular envelope formats we also offer other sizes and formats that are widely known. Below is a table of exact dimensions for each standard envelope format in millimetres.
Standard Format | Dimensions (h x w) | Fits |
---|---|---|
B4 | 250 x 353 mm | A4 paper unfolded |
C3 | 324 x 458 mm | A3 paper unfolded |
C4 | 229 x 324 mm | A4 paper unfolded |
C5 | 162 x 229 mm | A4 paper folded twice |
C6 | 114 x 162 mm | A4 paper folded into quarters |
C6/C5 (DL+) | 114 x 229 mm | A4 paper folded into thirds |
DL | 110 x 220 mm | A4 paper folded into thirds |
Sealing & Closure Types
There are different sealing types used for various types of different applications. Viking carries the most common sealing types or, occasionally known as art of locks. There are three main closures.
Self-Seal Envelopes
An easy way to close your envelope is with a self-seal closure. With this method both flaps have a strip of latex that bonds together after pressing them firmly. The latex is derived from rubber and ammonium making this a natural seal. Furthermore, the latex on these self-seal envelopes have a guaranteed shelf life of at least 6 months from date of manufacture.
Peel & Seal Envelopes
The strongest seal to secure your envelope shut is with a peel and seal closure. With this method the top flap is covered by a release tape that can be peeled away and then pressed down to form an instant bond. The glue that is used on this envelope has a shelf life of up to 5 years.
Gummed Envelopes
Gummed envelopes need to be moistened in order to be closed. Gummed envelopes are the only seal type which are suitable for machine inserting where the sealing is performed automatically. The gum used on the flap is water soluble and made from a mixture of dextrin and synthetic resin making them biodegradable. If these envelopes are stored in moderate conditions where the temperature is not too hot or not too cold, these envelopes should last for a number of years.
Envelope Styles
Envelopes are offered in either a wallet or pocket style. A wallet style conveys the opening is on the long edge of the envelope whereas pocket envelopes have their openings on the short side.
Wallets
Open on the long edge.
Pockets
Open on the short edge.
Windows
In our range you will find both envelopes with windows and plain envelopes (without window). Windows in envelopes are mainly used to display name and address of the recipient on the form that is inside the envelope. If you are planning to buy an envelope with window the specifications can be quite confusing. In order to choose the correct sized window envelope note that the measurements are always taken with the flap at the top. The first dimension taken is height followed by width (AxB). Then measure the distance from left hand side (C) and then up from the base (D).
Paper Envelope Weight
At Viking, we carry a wide range of envelope weights which refer to the paper thickness. The most common standard weight is 80 or 90 gsm. This is a typical weight for all of your standard mailings. The paper weight of an envelope is measured in gram per square metres (g/m ² or gsm) and can be seen as a measurement of paper density, and thus an indicator of quality. This means, the lower the gsm, the thinner and lighter the envelope. If you want to post single-sheeted papers with low costs and a high volume, you could decide to go for a paper weight lower than 80 gsm. These are often brown or manila envelopes and are a more environmentally-friendly option due to the reduced amount of paper use per envelope. If you are planning to buy a more deluxe envelope then our standard envelope range of 100/110/120 gsm is more suitable for your needs. For very important documents which need more protection, anything above 130 gsm would be ideal, these are classified as either board backed or gusset envelopes.
Paper weight | Application | Example |
---|---|---|
‹ 80 gsm | Used for single sheet low cost & high volume mailings | |
80-90 gsm | Used for everyday standard & high volume mailings | |
100-120 gsm | Used for high quality & luxury mailings | |
› 120gsm gsm | Used for adding protection and security mailings |
Colour
Using the right colour for your mailings can make all the difference. Our range consists of envelopes in various colours and tints so you can determine what connotations are attached to your mail. White is the most popular colour in envelopes. It is offered in many different shades and formats to specifically meet your personal needs. It is ideal for sending business letters as it is the most neutral, simple, yet professional option to give your receiver the appropriate message. Brown manila envelopes are also quite popular in our range. It is a darker colour and commonly used for either low cost mailings or filing and document keeping because of its less-transparent quality. Coloured envelopes are used for less frequent usage such as marketing purposes, birthdays and invitations. Red, pink, green, orange, and blue are just a few of the many shades available.
Sustainability
Not only are our recycled envelopes the sole sustainable solution. Most of the envelopes in our assortment have at least one environmental claim. Below is a short description to give you a better understanding of what each of these entail.
100% recycled
Contains post-consumer and/or pre-consumer recycled content. Contains 100% recycled content (by weight).
FSC
Forest Stewardship Council - International certification mark that proves that the paper you are buying comes from well managed forests and verifies that they’re not mixed with products from uncertified forests at any point in the supply chain.
PEFC
The Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) is an international non-profit, non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) through independent third-party certification. It provides evidence that timber products originate from certified, well managed forests and verifies that they’re not mixed with products from uncertified forests at any point in the supply chain.
TCF & ECF
ECF (Elementary Chlorine Free) and TCF (Totally Chlorine Free). Indicating whether a product is manufactured from chlorine free paper and the paper is made from virgin fibre that is either unbleached or bleached without harmful derivatives.
Fun Facts
- 65% of people give printed mail their full attention, compared with only 35% that said the same regarding emails
- 70% of people state receiving mail creates a better impression of the company in comparison to receiving email
- 70% of people feel more valued when receiving postal mail
- People value something 24% more when they can touch and feel it rather than just see it
- 7 out of 10 people prefer to receive legal or banking information in the form of a letter
- Almost 50% of people prefer to receive sales information via a letter or brochure, closely followed by email, cited by 42.8%. Less than 7% like to receive sales information face-to-face
- A majority (57%) say that receiving mail makes them feel more valued; only 17% feel the same about email
- Almost two thirds (63%) of consumers take mail more seriously than email
- Direct marketing campaigns that include mail are 27% more likely to deliver top-ranking sales performance, and 40% more likely to deliver top-ranking customer acquisition levels than campaigns without mail
- An average of 23% of all mail is shared between people in a household. 21% of promotions and special offers are shared
- Mail is kept in a household for an average of 17 days for advertising mail, 38 days for door drops and 45 days for bills and statements
- Printed mail grabs attention, is considered and informative, makes recipient feel valued and gives a better impression
- Compared with other media, mail recipients experiences higher levels of emotional engagement and remembered more
- Picking up a pen and paper can be therapeutic
- Consumers are more likely to deal with direct mail immediately compared to email