Envelope Information

Bang Tail: Usually a Business Reply Envelope with an extra flap. User tears off flap-fills in information and inserts it into envelope. Remaining long flap completely covers back of envelope so additional information may be filled in under the flap and on the envelope's back.
Bankers Flap: A larger than normal seal flap.
Back Gum: The adhesive that cannot be re-moistened for sealing. It is used as a permanent seal on envelope seams.
Baronial: A style of envelope that has a large pointed seal flap. The most common present usage is for greeting cards or social stationery. The name “Baronial” is derived from “Baron” which signifies a high social standing. “Announcement” or “A” sizes are the same size as Baronial, but they have straight flaps and side seams.
Booklet (Open Side): Primarily used for booklets, reports, and files. The flap is on the long side to facilitate ease of stuffing by hand or by machine. Sizes are described using envelope's dimensions. E.g., 9" x 12" or 6" x 9".
Business Reply or Return Envelope: These two envelopes can be any style or size. The distinct difference between them is, “who pays the postage”. A “Business Reply” envelope has a preprinted First Class Permit and return address and the original sender pays for its return. The “Business Return” has a preprinted return address, but the individual returning the envelope must apply postage. The most commonly used envelopes for either purpose are the commercial style, sizes 6-1/4, 6-3/4 or 9. Another frequently used style is the wallet flap (collection envelope) style.
Catalog: All envelopes with “Open End” flaps are called “Catalog”, “Policy” or “Coin”; however, “Open Side” (booklets) are becoming increasingly popular since the advent of automatic inserting machines.
Catalog (Open End): Flap is on the envelope's short side. Its construction is strong to support the catalog's weight. Sizes are described using envelope's dimensions. E.g., 9" x 12" or 6" x 9".
Center Seam: The permanent seam that is located approximately in the center of some envelopes, running from the bottom fold and seam up through the envelope and terminating at the throat.
Clasp: Like a Catalog envelope, but includes a metal clasp for temporary closure. May also have glue on the flap for a more permanent seal.
Coin: Small Catalog envelope.
Commercial (Diagonal Seam): These are a group of envelopes most businesses use every day including #9, #10, #11, etc. (See envelope size guide.)
Commercial Style: These are the most common business style envelopes. They are “Open Side” type and diagonal or side seam construction. They come in sizes 6-1/4" to 14", and in both regular and window style.
Corner Card: Refers to the printing on the upper left corner of an envelope-usually the return address.
Cutout: The term applied to an envelope having a panel or panels cut out of the face, back, or both and not having a covering over the panels (an open window).
Diagonal Seam: A seam running diagonally from the bottom fold and corner upward toward the throat of the envelope.
Fast Forward: a specification from the U.S. Post Office allowing the envelope to be processed on automated readers that may result in a lower rate as well as improved service. Window must have 5/8” clearance at bottom and no printing for 23⁄4 inches measured from bottom of envelope.
Flaps Extended: This term is used to describe a condition of leaving the seal flaps in a vertical position.Flat & Convert: EPCO can arrange to print your most demanding projects on large offset presses, then convert the flat sheets to envelopes.
Gummed or Seal Gum: Refers to the standard glue-when-moistened sealing method. Available in a variety of gluing patterns including full gum, split gum, and gum for live stamp.
Indicia: Refers to printing on the upper right corner of an envelope-usually the postage-paid notice or a box for placement of a stamp .
Inserter Compatible: The customer can use automated inserting equipment with our standard Commercial style envelopes, The inserting machine manufacturers have set specifications showing envelope requirements. We endeavor to comply and will submit samples for test purposes.
Inside Tint (Security Screen): Envelope has a dark tint printed on its inside to keep contents protected from snooping. Custom designs are readily available.
Inter-Office Mail: Reusable large envelopes usually with string ties. Often has a series of punched holes so recipient knows that envelope contains material.
Latex Seal: Any envelope with self-sealing adhesive. Requires no moisture.
Open End: A style of envelope on which the opening of the seal flap is on the shorter side. All open-end envelopes are called, catalog, policy, or coin envelopes.
Open Side: A style of envelope on which the opening is on the longer side. All commercials are open side. Larger open side envelopes are also called “booklet” envelopes.
Policy: Similar to Commercial, but seal is on the short side (like Catalog). Commonly used for cash/drop-ins, deeds, and other legal documents.
Regular: A style of Commercial or Bankers Flap envelope that does not have a window or panel cut in it.
Remittance: See Booklet. Often has oversize flap. Meant to be mailed in a cover envelope and returned with an enclosure to the sender.
Safety Fold: Super-sturdy envelope usually for transporting cash-has extra strength at bottom, and glue is applied to large areas for extra security and strength.
Seal Flap: Refers to the portion of the envelope that we seal in the manufacturing process. Seals are usually diagonal (like Commercial) or side where glue is parallel to the sides of the envelope.
Seal Gum: There are three types, which are used on the seal flaps of envelopes. The re-moistening type requires moisture to achieve a seal. Latex glue requires two surfaces of gum and no moisture to achieve a seal. Flip & stick requires removing a silicon paper strip to seal with pressure sensitive glue.
Side seam: An envelope seam that runs almost parallel to the side fold.
String & Button: Used for inter-office mail.
Throat: Refers to the envelope opening, which will be sealed by the user.
Thumb Cut: An envelope without a flap. U-shaped cut at open end permits easier access to contents. Often used for job ticket or as negative preservers.
Two Way: Like Bang-Tail, but has single tear-off flap for insertion in envelope. After tear-off a small glued flap remains for sealing. Strip of gum directly above throat perforation above gum line, spot of gum on edge of seal flap.
Tyvek®: DuPont's water resistant and nearly indestructible material. Envelope seals with pressure sensitive adhesive covered with a peel-off protective strip.
Wallet Flap: A large style seal flap.
Window Envelopes: Windows are available for any size envelope. They include a cutout area to expose part of the envelope's contents (e.g., an address on a letter.) Envelopes can have more than one window, which can be open or protected with cellophane.

Please contact your account representative. If you are a new customer, make a product inquiry online, or call customer service at 800-367-5793 or 602-482-1100

DuPont™ and Tyvek® are trademarks or registered trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.

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