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.
Pictorial:
See Full View.
Polystyrene:
A thermoplastic material used for window patch.
POSTNET:
(POSTal Numeric Encoding Technique) This is the barcode used to encode ZIP Code information letter mail for rapid and reliable sorting by barcode sorters (BCS’s). To receive automation discounts, letter-size mail must be 100-percent delivery point bar coded and meet addressing, readability, and other requirements for processing on automated equipment. Used on BRE and CRE mail.
Printing:
The choice of a printing process depends upon several factors. Some of which include the quantity, complexity and characteristics of the artwork, number of ink colors, as well as the paper stock and the level of desired quality of the finished product.
Flexography: (Also called FLEXO printing) A form of rotary letterpress using flexible rubber or photopolymer plates. Most common type of envelope printing, fast drying process, suitable for screens with 65105 lines. Printed in line at the same time envelope is converted. The art is lower imagery art. Generally the most cost effective price for larger quantities.
Jet Printing: Prints converted envelopes; equipment varies from 1 to 4 colors, 1 or 2-sided. Allows for fast turn times, good quality, and medium pricing.
Lithography: (Also know as FLAT SHEET LITHO or OFFSET PRINTING) Offers highest degree of precision, clarity and quality, uses screens of 133 lines or more. Artwork with full bleeds requires flat sheet lithography. Highest quality, top of price range.
Proxy:
A booklet style envelope used to mail an annual report and a proxy statement. Contains a special pocket for the proxy.
Ream:
500 sheets of paper.
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.
Teller-Helper:
See Drive-Up.
Text:
Type of high quality paper, manufactured in white or colors from bleached chemical wood pulp and/or cotton fibers. Manufactured in a wide variety of finishes, including antique, vellum, smooth, felt-marked and embossed. Often has matching cover stock. In envelopes, most often used for annual reports, brochures or other prestige mailings where an envelope that matches or complements the enclosure is desired.
Thumb Cut:
Found on envelopes manufactured without flaps, such as filing and film storage. Can be cut on one side or double thumb cut, for easier extraction of contents.
Top:
When referring to the envelope specifications, the dimension of the envelope with the opening, even if it is on the “side” relative to the address, corner card, etc.
Tuck Flap:
Flap with no gum, used primarily on interoffice and other reusable envelopes.
Tyvek®:
Spun bonded olefin product manufactured by DuPont. Offers maximum protection and durability at a very light weight. Tyvek® is unaffected by moisture and inert to most chemicals. Acid, lint and sulfide free.
