[SK] What formats and sizes of postal envelopes are there?

I’m sure you’ve had the experience of having all your documents ready, but not knowing what envelope to pack them in. “Will it be large and durable enough to safely deliver the contents?” Choosing the right envelope is all about practicality, only then should you focus on appearance. Read on to find out what envelopes exist and what they are used for.

The envelope is just a small detail, you tell yourself. But an inappropriate choice has an impact on shipping. The right choice can improve the flow of your correspondence and ensure smooth delivery of your documents. And when you choose the right envelope formats, you save time and money. So let’s skip straight to the most commonly used ones.

Standard C envelope sizes

• DL envelopes (110 x 220 mm): used for 2x folded A4 documents (contracts, addenda, annual reports).
• C7/6 envelopes (81 x 162 mm): compact but handy. Reach for them when you need to send smaller forms (leaflets, invitations). Their size is based on the A5 format (documents are usually folded into thirds).
• C6 envelopes (114 x 162 mm): a popular middle ground. They are not huge, but spacious enough for A5 documents folded in half. They will serve you for sending ordinary letters or correspondence with customers.
• C6/5envelopes (114 x 229 mm): their elongated shape corresponds to A4 folded in thirds. You can use it for sending offers, presentations or other larger materials.
• Type C5 envelopes (162 x 229 mm): a classic that never gets old and is stocked by many companies because it can hold A4 documents folded in half.
• Type C4 Envelopes (229 x 324 mm): The queen of large format, making it suitable for mailing unfolded A4 documents. Use it for important contracts or tenders that deserve proper space and mustn’t be devalued.

Type B envelopes

In addition to standard C envelopes, you may also encounter B envelopes. They are larger in size and are used for mailing bulkier materials or multiple documents. These formats are commonly used in offices, printers or copy shops:

• B3 (353 x 500 mm) is used for the B6 format.
• B4 (250 x 353 mm) accommodates an unfolded A4 stack.
• B5 (176 x 250 mm) corresponds to A5 format (unfolded reports, offers, leaflets, sheets).
• B6 (125 x 176 mm) accommodates an A6 stack of brochures, leaflets or folded guides.

✉️ The rigid material of these envelopes helps protect the contents from unwanted movement and deformation during transit.

What are bubble envelopes used for?

Jewellery, costume jewellery, artwork and collectibles need extra protection as many dangers lurk during transit. If you’re shipping these items, make sure you stock up on bubble envelopes.

The air-filled pads are excellent at absorbing shock and movement, greatly reducing the chances of the parcel arriving to the customer damaged.

Also bubble envelopes have several dimensions and purposes:

Type of bubble envelope	Dimensions	Uses
CD	175 x 165 mm	CD/DVD
L/21	400 x 460 mm	clothing, textiles, postal boxes
K/20	350 x 470 mm	large clothing, calendars
I/19	295 x 445 mm	large toys, large books
H/18	265 x 360 mm	books, toys, fashion accessories
G/17	225 x 340 mm	A4 calendars, catalogues
F/16	215 x 340 mm	photo albums
E/15	215 x 265 mm	larger jewellery, smaller electronics
D/14	175 x 265 mm	Tablets, small books, A5 size readers
C/13	145 x 215 mm	small haberdashery, mobile phone accessories
B/12	115 x 215 mm	smaller cosmetic products
A/11	95 x 165 mm	jewellery, parts, small fragile items

✉️ Handy tip: Sometimes less really is more. When wrapping a parcel, choose an envelope just a little larger than needed for the item/document. Too large a wrapper can look unaesthetically pleasing and the customer may be unpleasantly surprised that you are wasting large packaging on a smaller item. You may even unwittingly increase your shipping costs. That’s why choosing the right dimensions should not be underestimated. Choose envelopes from our e-shop.