subject: Getting to Know the Parts of an Envelope [print this page] Getting to Know the Parts of an Envelope Getting to Know the Parts of an Envelope
Whether for personal or business use, many of us use envelopes almost everyday. Even with the advent of email and text messaging, sending mails through traditional means is still very much in fashion. For personal letters or greetings, envelopes help make the communication more intimate. While for businesses correspondences, corporate envelopes convey authority and professionalism.
If you are into custom envelope printing, then you may already have an idea on how envelopes are constructed. If you are printing custom envelopes for the first time, then keep in mind that your envelope design is just as important as what you put inside. Factors such as size, budget, and type of mailing, are some of things that dictate the style of envelope you could use. Certain envelopes are also useful in enhancing your corporate image and motivate a desired response from your recipients.
When you discuss your options with a printer, it pays to have a basic idea about envelope template construction so you can effectively decide on the best type for your mailing requirements. To help you remember the essential parts of an envelope, check out
Front
While normally seamless, the front of the envelope may have a window that shows a portion of the content inside, more commonly the name and the address of the recipient. The envelope's face is where the address and postage are placed, sometimes along with the return address.
Back
The back of the envelope is the side where the flaps meet to seal the envelope. This is usually left blank.
Flaps
Envelope normally consists of a pair of side flaps, a bottom flap, and the top flap that seals it shut. This parts that folded and sealed to enclose the envelope's content. Typically rectangular or triangular in shape, envelope flaps have either rounded or pointed corners.
Seams
The seams of an envelope are the edges where the flaps meet and overlap. The type of seams is dependent on the style of its flaps. For instance, diagonal seams across the back of the envelope are created by pointed or triangular flaps. A center seam is usually present in catalog envelopes, in which rectangular side flaps are made to overlap in the center.
Opening and closure
One side of an envelope is left unsealed for inserting content. Different styles of envelopes have different openings. Common letter mail envelopes have their opening on top while there are other rectangular types open on the shorter edge. For the closure, you may choose to have it with or without adhesive.
Window
There are envelopes that cut-out areas on the front to display the mailing address, return address, or a special message. Windows usually have a transparent film covering.
Knowing these basic parts of an envelope is helpful once you order your envelopes from an envelope printing service provider. As you discuss your order, you can exactly point out your specifications to meet your requirements. By having these parts figured out, you can easily put them together to come up with custom envelopes of different sizes, depending on your mailing needs.
