FAQs

The simplest way to find out if your paper will fit into an envelope is to change the ‘A’ for ‘C’. For example an A4 piece of paper will fit into a C4 envelope or A5 into a C5.

If you look for the GSM / Grammage this determines the weight of the paper, measured grams/m2. A larger grammage signifies a thicker paper.

You should always measure the distance from the left hand side first and then up from the base of the envelope, ensuring that the flap is at the top. Our Window and Interior Opaques page has more useful information.

A Pocket envelope opens on the short side of the envelope whereas the Wallet and Banker envelopes open along the longer side. The Banker has a distinctive ‘V’ shaped flap while the wallet has a shorter squarer flap. For more definitions visit the Glossary of Terms page.

A Board Back envelope is made with a board back & paper front. These are mostly used for sending items that you want to protect from bending for example certificates.

A card envelope is an envelope made completely from card, for instance our Premium Optima range. Sometimes this will refer to an envelope that would be used to send a greetings card in, such as our invitation envelopes.

A gusset envelope is a pocket envelope with expandable sides. These can have either, a block bottom or V- bottom. All our gusset envelopes are V-bottom so they are suitable for over printing.

A BRE or Business Reply Envelopes are often enclosed with direct mail as a means to reply directly to sender without the recipient incurring any postage. BRE’s tend to be undersize DL & C5. For more information take a look at our Glossary of Terms.

The best envelopes to use for invitations are a gummed envelope with a diamond flap, sometimes these are referred to as a ‘Banker’ or a ‘Diamond Flap’.

Inside seams are glued inside the envelope and outside seams are on the outside. Mailing houses usually prefer outside seams as they don’t catch on mailing machines, whilst printers may prefer inside seams for printing on the envelope reverse. It’s all down to preference!

Paper costs approximately two and a half times as much as polythene by weight.

Paper mailing bags cost approximately two and a half times more than their plastic equivalent.

Most water leakage on any mailing bag comes in and around the flap & seal, therefore if it is only light or medium exposure to moisture, Kraft mailing bags will keep the product protected in the same way as polythene. If it is heavy or prolonged exposure to moisture, polythene is an impermeable material and would therefore outperform paper. See our Kraft Mailing Bag video here: https://blake-envelopes.com/our-videos

A Gummed Seal is the sealing method that requires moistening to seal. Take a look at our Sealing Methods page for more insight on all our seals..

Peel & Seal sealing has a release tape which is peeled away from the envelope flap to reveal a strip of latex which, when pressed down, forms an instant bond. Take a look at our Sealing Methods page for more insight on all our seals.

A double Peel & Seal strip is especially common in ecommerce packaging products. This allows the packaging to be reused again using the second seal e.g. for returns.

A Self Seal envelope has the sealing method where two latex flaps are pressed together to form an instant bond. Take a look at our Sealing Methods page for more insight on all our seals.

They are open. If they were closed they would stick shut!

They are always inside, because if they were outside you would be unable to lift the lower flap to seal the envelope.

Yes, our team work closely with you to create the perfect solution for your needs, utilising the best materials and techniques. If you are in need of more suggestions, guidance and support, we are happy to work with you on developing the idea from the start!

Yes, beyond our standard stock envelopes, we can create envelopes to any size you may require! This includes external size and shape as well as unusual window sizes and apertures.

Yes, we regularly produce a vast array of bespoke packaging solutions for both display and mailing purposes. As with our bespoke envelopes, the options are truly infinite.

Our team can utilise a range of different paper substrates and weights; extra lightweight or heavy bond, colours, textures, beautiful smooth bond papers or papers that are completely handmade. We can even use more diverse materials such as specialist foils, polythene and boards.

Alongside creating unique products from conception we also offer a range of Overprint Services to add extra customization and impact to your envelopes. We can print on a variety of different stock lines including gussets, board backs, all boards and bubble bags across a range of sizes.

Our Premium ranges are all compatible for digital printing. It is the laser window film that makes this suitable. You can also print on our Creative Colour envelopes for an effective finish to your mailings. Remember digital printing will also allow you to utilise variable data for individual customization.

A mailing wallet with a trapezium flap is generally what is required for putting through a mail inserting machine, this is due to the fact they have been designed to work in any mailing machine, making it the best choice for bulk and fast mailings. Mailing envelopes are always gummed as the mailing machine will moisten and seal the closure as part of the mailing process. With both digital and inkjet options available we have the perfect mailing all-rounder!

We have a goal to reduce our impact on landfill to zero by the end of 2021, and we have a strict recycling scheme in place to promote the recovery of valuable resources. Find out more in our Sustainability & The Environment section.

This stands for Forestry Stewardship Council and it means there is full traceability on the raw material’s journey from forest to doorstep. Discover more in our ISOs & Accreditations section.

This stands for the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification, which provides chain of custody certification for all paper based products. Discover more in our ISOs & Accreditations section.

Discover these in our How To Recycle section!

There are 17 goals, and we are proud to say we contribute directly or indirectly to them all. They are as follows:

1. No poverty

2. Zero hunger

3. Good health and well-being

4. Quality education

5. Gender equality

6. Clean water and sanitation

7. Affordable and clean energy

8. Decent work and economic growth

9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure

10. Reduced inequalities

11. Sustainable cities and communities

12. Responsible consumption and production

13. Climate action

14. Life below water

15. Life on land

16. People, justice and strong institutions

17. Partnerships for the goals

Buying a recycled envelope means the paper that it is made from is created from pulp that has already been used as paper previously. This means that you are reducing waste and contributing towards the recycling of valued resources.

Yes, all our manilla envelopes have a minimum of 80% recycled content.

Some window envelopes have biodegradable film which can be recycled, such as our Purely Environmental envelopes. Explore the range here.

We offer same day shipping for orders received before 12pm (this is subject to volume of orders and transport available).