Envelope Basics
Envelopes are your first impression for whatever products you’re selling or message you must convey. As a premiere national envelope supplier, Western States has the expertise to make that critical first impression exactly what you want it to be.
An Envelope’s Parts
Regardless of size or variations, an envelope has the same basic parts: corners, flaps, folds, shoulders, throat, seal and seams.
Measuring an Envelope
Although envelopes are measured from the shortest dimension first, this practice does not distinguish the height from the width. Therefore, if the envelope is placed before you with its seal flap at the top, the dimension from the bottom fold to the top fold is the height. The dimension from the left to right is the width. Simply considering the position of the flap is the first step in describing envelopes
Measuring a Window Position
Window size is always specified as height x width regardless of orientation. Window positions are always measured by their distance from the left edge of the envelope and the distance from the bottom (the flap is the "top" of the envelope). If you would like to view and download window templates, please visit our templates page. These templates should be used for window reference only and should not be used for creating and sending envelope artwork. If you need help with your envelope artwork, please contact customer service.
Measuring Expansion Envelopes
- First - determine the "width" of the envelope. The width is always the shorter measurement. When an envelope opens on the shortest side it is called a catalog envelope or an open end envelope.
- Second - determine the "length" of the envelope. The length is always the longer measurement without including the flap. When an envelope opens on the longest side it is called a booklet envelope or an open side envelope.
- Third - determine the "depth" of the expansion. That is the thickness that the envelope expands to. This is sometimes referred to as the Gusset.
- Fourth - determine the envelopes "bottom" shape. V (V-Bottom) or W (Box Bottom).
Also see our tips on how to measure a block size.
See Western States Envelope & Label, Butler, WI on MacRae's Blue Book
