Dissecting Envelopes

The next time you get your mail, before you tear into the envelopes to get at the credit card applications, bank statements, utility bills, birthday cards, and assorted other mailings, take a few minutes to study the envelopes they come in. How are they similar? How do they differ? The envelope you design or choose for your desktop publishing projects is just as important as what goes in it. Before you stick your work into just any old envelope, make sure you understand the benefits and drawbacks. Does the style enhance the image you want to convey? Will the size or shape result in an extra postage surcharge or increased printing costs? Use these resources to familiarize yourself with the basics of envelope design:

• Parts of an Envelope
• How an Envelope is Constructed (Illustrated)
• Gallery of Common Envelope Styles and Enclosure Dimensions