Common envelope sizes (design templates)

Envelope design is the craft of developing an envelope’s physical form and visual language to ensure it meets functional, postal, and communicative needs; it encompasses selecting appropriate sizes and materials, specifying construction details (seams, adhesives, windows, secure liners), and arranging critical layout elements like the address block, return address, postage area, and clear zones for barcodes and postal markings.

Effective envelope design integrates branding—logo, color, typography, and hierarchy of information—with usability considerations such as legible type sizes, contrast, and easy-open features, while also accounting for production constraints (dielines, print method, bleed, and glue tolerances), special finishes (embossing, foil, spot UV), and privacy or security requirements.

A successful design balances regulatory postal compliance and cost-effective manufacturing with aesthetic clarity so the envelope reliably protects its contents, passes postal processing, and communicates the sender’s intent.

Common envelope sizes (design templates)

• #10 (US) — 4.125 × 9.5 in (104.8 × 241.3 mm). Standard business envelope.
• A2 (invitation) — 4.375 × 5.75 in (111 × 146 mm). For cards 4.25 × 5.5 in.
• A6 (greeting) — 4.75 × 6.5 in (120 × 165 mm). For cards 4.625 × 6.375 in.
• A7 (invitation) — 5.25 × 7.25 in (133 × 184 mm). For cards 5 × 7 in.
• A8 — 5.5 × 8.125 in (140 × 206 mm).
• A4 (C4) — 8.66 × 12.2 in (220 × 310 mm). Fits unfolded A4.
• C5 — 6.4 × 9 in (162 × 229 mm). Fits A5 or folded A4.
• C6 — 4.5 × 6.375 in (114 × 162 mm). Fits A6 or folded A4 twice.
• DL — 4.33 × 8.66 in (110 × 220 mm). Common European business envelope (fits A4 folded into thirds).

Design safe area and bleed (recommended)

• Bleed: add 3 mm (0.125 in) beyond trim on all sides.
• Trim: final envelope edge after cutting.
• Safe area: keep important text 4–6 mm (0.125–0.25 in) inside the trim.

File/export tips

• Use CMYK at 300 DPI for print.
• Supply vector artwork (AI, EPS, PDF) for dielines and cut lines.
• Include a separate layer for dieline (cut/fold guides) and do not print it.
• Convert text to outlines or embed fonts.