Envelope Terms – Glossary
The Priority Envelope Glossary offers a comprehensive look at the terminology commonly used in envelope design and production. Whether you’re new to envelope customization or a seasoned professional, understanding terms like window placement, flap styles, paper grades, and sealing methods is essential for making informed choices. This resource simplifies the technical jargon, giving you a clear understanding of the various options available for your custom envelope projects. With insights into everything from materials to production processes, our glossary helps you confidently select the right envelope features to meet your business or personal needs.
Self-Seal Latex:
See Adhesives, Resealable.
Shelf Life:
The length of time after manufacturing that a product will remain in a saleable or acceptable condition.
Side Seam Inside:
Single seam construction on open-end envelopes, where seam glues beneath back panel. Allows full printing on back of envelopes. Can be on left or right side. (LISS or RISS).
Side Seam Outside:
Single side seam construction on open-end envelopes, where seam is glued on top of back panel. Can be right of left side. (ROSS, LOSS).
Split Seal Gum:
Gum pattern on seal flap when envelopes are to be used on automatic inserting equipment. Gum is broken where flap covers envelope at seams; prevents flap from sticking to the back panel during storage in humid climates.
Standard Substance Weights-Wove:
16 lb. Used for overseas air mail envelopes.
20 lb. Used for commercial envelopes where strength & opacity is not a factor.
24 lb. Workhorse of envelope papers-used for most open-side official and commercial envelopes.
28 lb. Used for most open-end and catalog envelopes and larger size commercial envelopes.
32 lb. Used for heavy duty envelopes and clasp envelopes.
40 lb. Used for large envelopes, heavy duty envelopes or envelopes used for frequent re-use.
String-and-Button:
Mechanical closure with a string attached to the flap and a button on the body of the envelope.
Substance Weight:
Also called Basis Weight) Weight, measured in pounds, of a ream (500 sheets) of paper in its basic size. Different grades of paper are sold in different basic sizes. Therefore, basis weights of different grades of paper can not be compared directly; a 24# white wove (WW) is comparable to a 60# offset, NOT a 24# offset.
