“The average UK household receives around 390 mails per year—that’s 390 envelopes! Make sure yours stands out.”
From Ancient Mesopotamia, dating over 5000 years, the notion of protecting and hiding scribed tablets with soft clay wrappers was the beginning of this rudimentary print element called envelopes.
In the 17th century with the Roman Empire, the clay covering evolved to folded papyrus with wax seals. It is worth noting that the papyrus which had the message was without a covering; it was simply folded substrate, sealed to lock information from prying eyes.
Later on in the 18th to 19th century, people devised quite sustainably impeccable techniques of letter-locking where letters would be elaborately folded to maintain a higher level of privacy. Think origami.
No surprises then, that the invention of envelopes is also partly awarded to the Japanese and Chinese, since their affluent quarters would originally use hand-made paper envelopes to send gifts and money to relatives.
In the mid 19th century, the first envelope-folding machine was patented by Edwin Hill and Warren De La Rue in England. Today, envelopes are mass-produced with ease, and although we live in a digital world, there still remains the need for this physical frequent tactile guest of many homes and businesses.
So what must you look out for when choosing the correct envelope to represent your brand or corporate body?
For starters envelopes can be identified by quite a few factors.
SIZE – as paper comes in standardised sizes, so goes envelopes. And usually, each envelope measurement takes precedent from the A4 paper size, whether folded or unfolded. Here are some of the most standard sizes to look out for:
In deciding the size of your envelope as a company, think about the content of the envelope, as well as postbox compatibility.
WEIGHT – Depending on content or the perceived value you want to communicate about your company, the weight of the paper envelope matters.
80gsm – 90gsm – Light but dependable. Perfect for everyday post like letters, receipts, or invoices—comfortably holds up to three sheets of A4.
100gsm – A touch sturdier with better opacity, ideal when you’re sending confidential documents. Holds a possible 15 sheets with ease.
110gsm -120gsm – Thicker and more refined. Great for branded letterheads and professional correspondence when first impressions matter.
135gsm – 175gsm – Durable and premium. Designed to handle bulkier contents like brochures or multi-page mailings without compromising on presentation. Also suitable for wedding invitations or corporate events.
TEXTURE & FINISHING – Where there is a good sense of weight, texture can also be applied. Often times, the more luxury to convey, the more the presence of texture and finishing such as foil and embossed printing.
At Dynamic, envelopes can be hammer embossed especially on Tintoretto paper for wedding invites. We also offer translucent vellum envelopes, recycled envelopes, and a range of envelopes made from G F Smith – wwwgfsmith.com – with over 50 colours to choose from, and each stock pack containing 50 envelopes each.
All of our range of envelopes can be embellished with hot foil or embossing; direct printing can be applied upon request.
The SEAL – Seen as the aim of the game with envelopes is to provide closure, there’s also a variety of ways to bolt up your message.
Self Seal – Fast and efficient. Just fold the flaps together and press. Great for return envelopes or one-off mailings. Once sealed, they can’t be opened without tearing, adding a layer of tamper-evidence. Keep in mind they have a shorter shelf life than other options.
Gummed – The classic seal. Just moisten the flap and press to close. Ideal for everyday use and compatible with folder inserter machines—often referred to as ‘machine compatible’.
Peel & Seal – Simply peel back the strip to reveal the adhesive and press shut. These are secure and long-lasting, but they’re best suited for smaller batches as they require manual sealing.
String & Washer – A more traditional, reusable fastener featuring a string that wraps around two paper washers. Commonly used for internal documents, legal files or presentations where access may be needed more than once. Stylish and functional—adds a vintage feel to your communications.
Wax Seal – Another traditional type of closure where a small stamp is made by melting wax onto an envelope or paper, then pressing a seal into it before it hardens, for a lovely, personal touch and a bit of old-fashioned charm, especially for weddings.
TYPE –
- Pocket Envelopes – Opens on the short side. Commonly used for franked mail, next-day delivery, and general office use.
- Wallet Envelopes – Opens along the long side. The most widely used envelope style—ideal for folder inserters and bulk mailing.
- Banker Envelopes – Features a pointed, diamond-shaped flap on the long edge. Often used for greeting cards, invitations, and personal letters.
- Window Envelopes – Save time and costs by showing the address through a clear panel—no need to print or label. Perfect for use with mail merge or sorting software in high-volume mailings.
- Gusset Envelopes – Expandable sided pockets designed for sending catalogues, reports, or bulky document sets, usually in C4 size.
- Padded & Bubble-Lined Envelopes – Lightweight yet protective. These ‘jiffy bags’ are ideal for posting samples or non-paper items securely while keeping postage costs down.
- Board-Backed Envelopes – Rigid envelopes with a cardboard backing to prevent bending. Great for certificates, photos, books or documents—typically marked with ‘Please do not bend’.
- Security Envelopes – Designed to keep contents protected and confidential. Some are tamper-resistant, while others have dark interior patterns to prevent contents from being read, even under fraud interference.
- Polythene Envelopes – Tough, waterproof plastic envelopes offering excellent protection. Often used in medical or financial sectors when security and durability are key. Can be paired with padding for extra safety in transit.
COLOUR – Last but not the least, the colour of your envelope can be a firm decider in marketing.
Research indicates that coloured envelopes can outperform plain white by up to 90%, making them 9× more likely to be opened.
People are also 55% more likely to pick up a full‑colour piece of mail first.
“Coloured mail” which includes coloured envelopes is 80% more likely to be read than black‑and‑white, and 39% more memorable.
The story is once told of Steven Bartlett of how he sent his first ever letter to an investor in a golden envelope. This simple decision stood him out and drew the attention of his investor.
At Dynamic, we cannot stress this enough. After choosing from all of the above players, it is imperative, that you explore the world of Pantone shades and colours. Whether it is the envelope colour itself or the super-imposed graphics, there’s no stopping the company that intently knows how to use colour as psychology in persuading its clients. And where colours come in all hues, tinges and tones, the possibilities are endless with how you prefer to appear on doorsteps.
Just think how you feel when you see an envelope drop on your doormat. It if it’s coloured in the midst of the usual batch of bland envelopes, you are 10 times more likely to pick it up, and engage with it.
Envelopes can be your powerful first impression.
Ready to Find the Right Envelope?
Whether you’re posting invoices, marketing materials, or luxury invitations, the envelope you choose speaks volumes before it’s even opened. If you need advice on sizes, finishes, or which seal is right for your mail, we’re here to help with expert guidance and solutions, every step of the way.
Get in touch today to request samples, talk through your options, or place an order.
We’ll help you make sure your envelopes work just as hard as what’s inside.
