Envelope Printing: What a flap says

Choosing envelopes can be a surprisingly daunting process. There are a number of options available including color, paper, and size. There are also things you may not even have thought about such as flap and seam styles and how an envelope opens. Today we take a brief look at 5 flap styles and what they might mean to your design.

Quick, think of all the different flap styles you have seen among the various envelopes you receive. How many did you get? 1, maybe 2, or 3? That would be a fairly typical response to the question. However, rest assured there are many many more.

Each of these many flaps present a different idea about your finished design, and different challenges for designing and printing. Is your flap all-business, is it too formal, or is it sending a message you didn’t intend? Here are a few of the more common flaps to consider when choosing an envelope and what they can offer in terms of style and functionality.

1. Commercial Flaps

Received any bills lately? An ad or two from a particularly zealous insurance company? Then you have seen (and no doubt seen over and over again) the commercial flap. By far the most common style of flap, it is ubiquitous in business and commercial use.

And the reason is its utility. Commercial flaps reduce make-ready in printing, are ready for high-speed insertion and processing, and easily work with many digital printers.

2. Pointed

Much more formal than a commercial flap, the pointed flap is a traditional, elegant style. We most often see this type of envelope on greeting cards and personal stationery. Simply put it is a classic. But when choosing an envelope be sure to consider that the pointed flap often needs to be inserted by hand, so costs are a factor.

3. Square

The square flap is simple, modern style that works well with announcements and many other types of mailings. Its keyword might be versatility. From a designers perspective, it also provides a larger area for an on-flap design. Depending on the size and type of envelope however, square flaps can create some issues for insertion or digital printing.

4. Wallet

The wallet is a more rounded version of the square flap. Since the design works well with bulk mailings, it is the standard flap for envelopes like catalog and book styles. It is also seen on many other commercial mailings as well. It plays nice with auto-insertion machines as well.

5. Euro

This style is notable for its stretched and rounded flap, and is considered more stylish than the pointed. Also known by names such as contour flap or deep neck flap, it can lend designs an air of distinguished refinement. Like the pointed flap this style of envelope requires hand stuffing and may not work well with all digital equipment.

There are many more styles of envelope flaps available, such as those with colored seams, petal styles, or those designed to house an interior envelope. And that doesn’t even get to the possibilities of having an envelope custom made.

The first consideration in choosing envelopes should always be the style you want to project and the functionality you need. After that the key is to talk with your printer early and often, and be aware of the different costs that a particular envelope style might incur.

If you have questions about this or other envelopes, are wondering what might fit your next project, then feel free to stop by the shop and talk with us. Or, leave a comment below.

cutpasteandprint Printing, graphic design, binding, and promotional product specialists in Huntingdon Valley, PA. We proudly serve the Bucks and Montgomery County areas with superior quality, great customer service, and a commitment to getting you and your the best possible printed materials. Our services include: Digital Printing, Offset Printing, Graphic Design, Promotional Items, Bindery, and Copying.