Envelope：

HQES not only custom makes blank envelopes, but we also take custom orders of printed envelopes. To print only the outside surface of the envelopes, or both sides of the envelopes, HQES has lots of printing technics to support your orders.

HQES has offset printing for full-color designs, silk screen printing for parts of colors, hot stamp printing for words and logos, UV printing to cover extra protective varnishing onto the designs, and so on. For logos or special points of artworks of your customized envelopes, HQES has more processes to decorate them such as die-cut, embossing, spot UV printing, laser-cut, lamination, and many more.

All these printing processes are custom made in house, and it supports HQES to offer the best prices for custom envelopes orders from small minimum quantity to bulk quantity. And for bulk envelopes and wholesale envelopes orders, you will definitely get on-time delivery. For the small volume envelopes orders, you will get the best customer services and competitive prices at the wholesale envelopes price.

HQES is a reliable envelopes supplier trusted by lots of clients from the US and Euro market. We have professional and experienced QA teams to ensure every envelope custom made as perfect as possible.

If you are looking for any envelopes in China factory to customize envelopes, HQES will definitely be your first choice.

Envelope: The Ultimate FAQ Guide

Before importing envelopes from China, read this guide.

It answers all questions you have been asking about envelopes – from material type, design, printing technique, to prices.

You will find all information you need right here.

Keep reading.

What Are Envelopes Used For?

Envelope

An envelope is a packaging structure used for:

1. Commercial use- Wallet envelopes are used for mailing brochures and multi-page documents. Pocket styles are used for magazines, catalogues, and other paper cards that are a bit heavy.
2. Office Use-Envelopes are used in the office for mailing paycheques, invoices, reports, and legal documents.
3. They are used for automatic insertion machines.
4. Such as Banker and wallet style used for personal use, greeting cards, and announcements.
5. They are used for air mail while sending letters, documents, or cards overseas.
6. They are used for advertising and speciality application.
7. The entertainment industry uses disc envelopes to store CDS and DVDs.

What Are Envelopes Made Of?

Here are the raw materials of envelopes:

• It is mostly made from paper or hardened paper. The paper is derived from wood and wood from trees.
• Large, strong envelopes are made from synthetic material, i.e. polyethene which is plastic made from ethylene. Ethylene is obtained from petroleum.
• High-quality envelopes, partly or completely, are made from linen or cotton.
• Some envelopes are made from manila.
• The glue used to seal the envelope is made from natural gum, Arabic gum, or synthetic gum obtained from dextran.
• The glue at the corners of the envelope is obtained from starch from corn, wheat, potatoes, and other plants. It must be strong enough to hold the content inside the envelope.
• Some envelopes have holders made from aluminium, iron, or other metals.
• Strings present in some envelopes are made from cotton or other fibres.
• Window envelopes have polystyrene used to cover the window.

What Is GSM Concerning Envelopes?

Well, GSM stands for. Grams Per Square Meter. In simple terms, it means the grams a single sheet of paper weighs, measuring 1m by 1m.

Envelopes serve different purposes depending on their GMS. A sheet of paper weighing 30-60 GMS is too thin to wrap anything; hence it’s used on newspapers.

Below are the envelopes with different GMS and their uses:

• 70-90 GMS – They are cheap and used to enclose letters and deliver thin, lightweight documents.
• 90-100 GMS- This is the average weight of envelopes that go through the postal system.
• 100-130 GMS- They are good-quality envelopes used for greeting cards and wedding invitations.
• 140-180 GMS- These are thick solid envelopes used to protect the content inside.

How Do Paper Envelopes And Plastic Envelopes Compare?

Most envelopes are made from paper. However, some are made from plastic. Here are the differences between the two:

• Paper envelopes are used in the postal system to send documents, letters, brochures, and catalogues. While plastic envelopes are used to send confidential messages and documents.
• Plastic envelopes are rigid compared to ones made of paper.
• Plastic envelopes contain two layers of pouches. One is made of plastic, and the inner one contains bubble wrap, which protects the content inside. Paper envelopes only have a single layer.
• Plastic envelopes are more durable than paper envelopes.
• Plastic envelopes are more flexible than paper ones. You can use them to send a variety of objects, unlike paper which only carries flat documents.
• Plastic envelopes are water-resistant, unlike paper envelopes. Hence they protect the content inside from damage during transit.

Paper Envelope

Plastic Envelope

When Should I Consider Wallet Vs Pocket Envelopes?

There are two basic styles of envelopes; wallet and pocket envelopes. Here we’ll discuss them and when they can best serve you:

Wallet Envelope

Wallet Envelop, also referred to as banker, has a flap on the longer edge of the envelope. Usually has a diamond shape flap chiefly used for greeting cards.

It resembles the horizontal wallet, and it’s best for sending big-sized packages—also, documents that should not be folded or creased. i.e. a birth certificate or a scan.

Wallet Envelope

Pocket Envelopes

As the name suggests, it’s small enough to fit in one’s pocket. It has a flap on the short edge of the envelope. The most common is C4 and C5.

It’s best for storing or sending small items such as photos, money, receipts, etc.

Pocket Envelope

What Are The Available Envelope Sizes On The Market?

Envelopes can be measured in mm, cm and inches. Here we have sizes in mm:

• C3 Envelopes324 x 458 mm
• C4 Envelopes229 x 324 mm- an A4 document or an A3 if folded once can fit.
• C5 Envelopes162 x 229 mm-an A5 blank documents or A4 folded documents can be suitable. C5 is also referred to as an A5 envelope and is used for sending big greeting cards.
• C6 Envelopes114 x 162 mm– A5 card folded once, or A4 folded four times can fit. This type of envelope is best for occasions, i.e. greeting cards.
• C7 Envelopes83 x 112 mm -A7 paper or A5 paper folded four times can fit. Frequently used for gift cards.

DL Envelopes110 x 220 mm– fit A4 card folded twice or A5 once. Also used for occasions.

• i1 Envelopes60 x 90 mm
• i2 Envelopes70 x 100 mm
• i3 Envelopes80 x 215 mm
• i4 Envelopes89 x 184 mm
• i5 Envelopes95 x 122 mm
• i6 Envelopes125 x 175 mm
• i7 Envelopes115 x 315 mm
• i8 Envelopes133 x 184 mm
• i9 Envelopes152 x 216 mm

How Do I Work Out The Right Envelope Size For My Needs?

I know this can be an issue, especially if you don’t want to tamper with the content on the document. To know the size of envelope you need, interchange the ‘A’ letter of the paper size with ‘C’. For instance, if the document size is A4, choose a C4 envelope. If it’s A5, choose C5, et cetera.

What Does The C Letter Mean In Envelope Sizing?

Usually, envelope paper size comes in A and B sizes. To get the C size, we add A and B sizes to obtain the geometric mean.

This calculation will help produce a size between A and B. That is not too small for the document or too big but with perfect dimensions.

For example, to get the dimension mean of C5, calculate the geometric mean of A5 and B5. An A5 document will fit in a C5 document without folding.

Why Do C Numbers Increase As Envelope Sizes Decrease?

Great observation, by the way.

The envelope sizing is done according to the ISO paper size system; in that, a C5 envelope is meant to fit on A5 paper.

According to ISO standard paper sizing system, A0 paper size is the largest size, followed by A1, then A2, etc.

The number next to A clarifies the number of folds in half needed from A0. i.e. A1 paper is A0 paper folded once while A3 paper is A0 paper folded 3.

On that account, we can say the number of folds increases as the number rises.

What Is DL Envelope?

DL Envelope

The term DL envelope evolved from Germany in the 1920s.  Today DL means Dimension Lengthwise.

It fits A4 paper folded twice into thirds or an A5 paper folded once into halves. It’s prevalent for business letters and ideal for occasions.

What Is Die Cutting Concerning Envelope Manufacturing?

Die-cutting is a manufacturing process where a die is tailored through cutting, forming, or shearing to craft a desired shape or design.

It’s used in envelope manufacturing to cut correctly and print envelopes according to the specified dimension correctly.

Before making a die-cut on printed material, you need to outline the shape and dimension you want to achieve. You can achieve this by the use of a die line.

The good news is with die-cutting, you can achieve any shape or size you want with your envelopes.

What Is The Advantage Of Die Cutting Envelopes?

Die-cutting envelopes is a great manufacturing process as it’s a flexible and accurate way to cut, shape and print envelopes.

It’s also easy to duplicate and maintain the same size of envelopes every time your printing without making mistakes.

What Are The Envelope Manufacturing Tolerances?

In the manufacturing industry, machine variances for envelopes are +/- 2mm.

The reason being when the machine is running, it heats up, and the metal may expand.

Also, the normal wear in cylinders can cause minute contrast on the cutting location and folding score; hence the envelope may be bigger or smaller than the required one.

What Are The Common Kinds Of Flaps For Envelopes?

Straight and V-shaped flaps are the most prevalent flaps on envelopes. Straight flaps are used for formal purposes like business communication, while V-shaped ones are for everyday use like greetings and invitations.

Other flap styles include pointed flaps, commercial, truck, euro flaps, etc.

Which Closure Options Are There For Envelopes?

Envelope seals include:

Gummed Seal

A gum-sealed envelope has a strip of water-soluble glue on the top flap.

To seal the envelope, you must wet the gum either by liking, using an envelope moistener to wet the surface or use a moistener mailing machine.

After wetting the area, the flap can be pressed closed. It’s the most common sealing method and the cheapest. It’s best for mailing machines.

Self-Seal

It’s also referred to as strip seal, zip-seal, or peel and seal. It’s the easiest to use.

At least for self-seal, you dint have to lick the yucky taste of glue anymore; hooray!

It comes with a sticky band of latex glue covered with paper or plastic. It’s pressure-sensitive to seal this envelope, remove the strap, and fold the flap to close.

One pitfall of self-seal is they cannot use them in bulk mailing machines.

Flip And Seal

There is a thin line between flip and seal and self-seal.

The latter only has latex glue on one flap, while the other has glue on both the top and bottom flaps.

Fold up the bottom to expose the adhesive and fold down the top flap to close the envelope. When the two flaps are pressed together, the envelopes sealed.

No moistener is needed.

Ungummed Seal

This envelope has no gum at all. It’s mostly used for transporting documents that many people are handling.

It’s common for wedding invitations.

However, it’s not recommended for use in the mailing system.

Other envelopes seals include; button and string fastener, hook and loop, wax seals, etc.

Can You Print On Envelopes?

Absolutely.

Research reveals human being’s concentration span is 8 seconds.

Meaning you have a very short time to capture the customer’s attention or lose it completely.

Printing elevates the look of an envelope from basic to elegant.

It’s pretty and exciting, it gives the company or business identity, and you can also sell your marketing message in advance.

Printed Envelopes

How Does Litho Print Vs Digital Print Compare For Envelopes?

Below are the differences between litho and digital printing:

• Litho printing is also referred to as offset printing. Here images are moved onto the aluminium plate then on print media which.

In this case, the envelope is digital, and the image is sent to the printer using digital files.

• In litho printing, colours are broken to Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black. They are then corrugated into metal plates then transferred onto the envelope sequence.

While for digital, a digitized image is used to control the deposition of ink, toner, and exposure to reproduce the image.

• Litho printing has a longer turnaround than digital.
• It’s suitable for high volume printing because it’s fast, while digital printing is best for short runs and low volume printing.
• Litho printing uses Pantone ink hence has the best colour match, whereas digital printing duplicates colour using the CMYK matching process.
• It’s not able to produce inconsistent designs but digital prints variable data.
• Litho produces high-quality, consistent images, while digital doesn’t produce the same design.
• You should print many envelopes to be profitable with digital printing. Only print the number of envelopes needed.

What Are Color Printing Options There For Custom Envelopes?

For custom envelopes, we have three colour printing options, which may include:

One-Color Printing

Your envelope carries only one colour. Grey is also considered as one colour despite its various shades and tints.

one Color Printing Envelope

Two-Color Printing

Here your envelope accommodates two different ink colours. They are mixed to create a beautiful hue.

Two-colour Printing

Four-Color Printing

The full-colour printing process is applied for more than two colours, also referred to as CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key-black).

The four colours are mixed to produce varieties of unique colours.

Four Color Printing

What Is Custom Envelope Design Template?

Here are our common envelope design templates:

• Business templates
• Social templates
• Open-end templates
• Remittance templates

Choose one that matches your brand and suits your purpose.

Should I Use Design Templates Or Upload My Artwork For Custom Envelopes?

The choice is yours. You can give your envelopes a personal touch by uploading your design or use our design templates.

Equally, you can re-use a design from your previous order that you loved.

What File Formats Do You Accept For Custom Envelope Artwork?

If you decide to create your artwork, ensure it in either of the following formats:

• 00AI
• JPG
• TIFF
• PNG
• PDF
• EPS
• PSD

It will not accept any other format other than the ones mentioned above.

What Other Custom Finishing Solutions There For Envelopes?

Most custom finishing happens after printing; however, some take place during the printing process. It’s meant to improve the feel, appearance, and function of the envelope.

Here are high-end print finishes solutions for envelopes:

Embossing

Here you press an artwork on the envelope to give it a 3D effect. Embossing simply raises the surface of the artwork.

It is commonly used on text, graphics, and logos. It’s meant to add depth to your design.

UV Coating

Its high gloss coating enhances the envelope look and protects it against fingerprints.

The liquid used is called UV coating because the envelope dries when exposed to ultraviolet rays. As a result, a thick layer of coating is formed.

It protects the printed surface from rear and tear. You can use UV coating to highlight some parts of the envelope.

It is called the UV-spot effect.

Lamination

This is the use of a laminator to protect the envelope from moisture and water.

Laminate consists of an elegant paper, crisscross plastic scrim, and polythene coating that provides a moisture barrier.

Foil Stamping-

It’s used to add a touch of elegance to an envelope. Foil stamping contains a die and the shape of artwork pressed on paper to bond the two together.

Commonly used colours are gold, silver, and copper. However, colours like pink, rose, green, etc., can be used.

It’s an economical way to make your envelopes classy.

Other custom finished include padding, debossing, etcetera.

What Surface Are Finish Options There For Custom Envelopes?

There are many envelopes surface finish to choose from; It will spoil you for choice. It’s advisable to choose a surface finish that matches the purpose of the envelope.

Here are examples of finished:

• Smooth matte
• Laid texture
• Hammered texture
• Linen texture
• Lustre texture
• Glossy texture
• Satin texture
• Cotton texture
• Translucent

What Are The Considerations For Choosing Envelope Colors?

Having black and white envelopes is not wrong. However, it’s too common and boring considering there are over 30 colours to choose from. Choose vibrant or pastel colours according to:

• The occasion-for formal purposes, choose a muted colour and informal, vibrant colors
• Your target group of people- choose coloured envelopes if sending a document to young people and you want them to read. Hehe! Otherwise, they won’t even open.

What Are The Advantages Of Colored Envelopes?

Research shows many people are tempted to open a coloured envelope more than a plain one.

Even you, given two options to open two envelopes, a plain one and a coloured one. Which one would you open first?

The coloured one.

Am sure I guessed right. Why? Because it cute, catchy and, it will leave a lasting impression.

Are Envelopes Recyclable?

Yes, they are.

You can re-use paper envelopes. Just place them where the local council can collect them.

For envelopes with plastic window, remove the plastic manually before inserting in the recycle bin.

Can also recycle envelopes with stamps; place them in the recycle bin.

It’s not possible to recycle Envelopes with bubble wrap or padded.

It is because they are made from different materials. Alternatively, you can use Flutelopes and Combelopes, which are environmentally friendly.

Most used envelopes cannot go through the mailing system again because the seal is broken. However, they can use them to store documents at home or in the office then seal them with sellotape or glue. You can also re-use Envelopes with string and a washer.

Do You Offer Samples For Custom Envelopes?

Yes, we do.

Its okay to get anxious about the end product you will receive, whether or not it will be what you want.

We are here to eliminate guesswork. After sending your design to us, you will get a pre-production sample of your exact order.

You will touch it and have a look at it before the whole order is processed. In case any correction is necessary, we got you.

Feel free to try new designs. Go extreme. We will deliver.

Sample of A Custom Made Envelope

What Is The Minimum Order Quantity For Custom Envelopes?

For custom envelopes, the minimum order is 2500 units. Moreover, for creative orders, there is no order limit.

What Factors Determine The Ultimate Envelope Price?

Prices of envelopes depend on the:

• Size
• Seal
• Style
• Surface finish
• Colour

Now, for all your envelop orders from China, you can always trust HQES – contact us now.