Office stationery packaging guide
Choosing the correct packing envelope
The most widely used packaging envelopes sizes are C4, C5, C6, padded and DL.
Envelope of C4 size can hold sheet of A4 size. The dimension of this type of envelope is 324mm x 229mm. Envelope of C4 size could be used for mailing hefty documents and delivery notes.
Envelope of C5 size can hold sheet of A5 size. The dimension of this type of envelope is 229mm x 162mm. It is the most commonly used envelope size for purpose of mail shots and business letters. The weight of envelope of C5 size should range from 90 GSM to 130 GSM (paper weight in grams per square inch).
Different types of envelopes
| Common letter envelopes | The workhorse of most direct mail marketing campaigns. |
| Baronial envelope | Well suited for invitations, greeting cards and other formal announcements or communications. Most direct mail marketers refrain from sending these types of envelopes since baronial envelopes are not well suited to some postal services and machines. Baronial envelopes carry a unique significance unto their own that makes people want to open and read the message inside. |
| Booklet and catalog envelopes | Envelopes used to mail or store booklets and catalogs. The only difference between booklet and catalog envelopes is the location of their seams. Catalog envelopes have a seam located at the center, which makes it stronger. Booklet envelopes however have a side seam, which is more typical of the seams of common letter envelopes. |
ISO 269 standard envelope sizes
| Format | Size (Height x Width) | Size (Height x Width) | Suitable for content format |
|---|---|---|---|
| DL | 110 x 220mm | 4.33 x 8.66" | 1/3 A4 |
| C7 | 81 x 114mm | 3.2 x 4.5" | 1/3 A5 |
| C7/C6 | 81 x 162mm | 3.19 x 6.4" | 1/3 A5 |
| C6 | 114 x 162mm | 4.5 x 6.4" | A6 (or A4 folded in half twice) |
| C5 | 162 x 229mm | 6.4 x 9" | A5 (or A4 folded in half once) |
| C4 | 229 x 324mm | 9.0 x 12.8" | A4 |
| C3 | 324 x 458mm | 12.8 x 18" | A3 |
Office stationary questions
How do I know the envelope is the right size for my cards?
Generally the envelope should be around 10 mm bigger than your insert. We offer samples of many of our products, should you wish to check the size or colour before placing your order.
Office stationery packaging guide last updated: Oct-2023
