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Envelopes. Types and their use.
1. Historical outline, or how was it with these envelopes?
At first association, an envelope is a paper package used to send letters or other flat items using postal mail. It exists in many formats, sometimes decorated, and may be reinforced with a bubble wrap insert to protect the contents.
The envelope has not always existed in the form we know today. Its first version appeared in ancient Babylon and was a protective layer of clay on previously fired clay tablets. Her “opening” consisted of breaking this extra layer, so we can say that it protected the contents, but it worked only once.
Later, envelopes began to be made from leaves and animal skin. The paper versions we know now originated in China, where the emperor used them to give gifts of money to government officials.
Only after a long time, in the Middle Ages, did the methods of envelope production change to the point where they can be compared with those we know today. At that time, an envelope was an extra diamond-shaped sheet of paper that had to be folded and sealed with wax. The seal did not secure the contents, but you could tell by it whether the message had been read by unauthorized persons.
Throughout time, all versions of envelopes were made by hand. It wasn’t until 1845 that a British patent was created for the first machine designed to produce envelopes on a larger scale. With this move, envelopes became widespread and available to less wealthy people as well.
In the 20th century, envelopes were still strongly associated with paper, but some small items required better protection for shipping. That’s how, after 1957, bubble wrap began to be used to pad the insides of envelopes. To this day, they continue to be an easy and inexpensive way to package and ship small, fragile items.
That’s it from history, let’s move on to modern times.
2. Today's envelopes, due to their construction and use, we can divide into:
– paper. Made from a single sheet of paper, with glued joints on the sides. Used for mailing documents, letters, etc. Available in many colors, but the most universal use is white – they allow the most legible addressing. They are also popular in gray / brown recycled versions.
– carton. Made of multilayer corrugated cardboard, providing protection from mechanical damage. They have an adhesive tape closure, and a tear strip is used to open them. They are expandable, making it possible to pack larger items in them.
– bubble. They are made of two interconnected layers: an outer layer of paper and an inner layer that forms a pocket made of bubble wrap.
– foil. These are shipping envelopes, allowing you to quickly and inexpensively pack an item for shipment. However, they don’t provide any protection against shock and damage, so you need to take extra care.
– courier / transport. Transparent envelopes, commonly known as kangaroo envelopes or clings. Covered with glue on one side, they are used to stick them on the parcels being shipped. They are used to place the bill of lading and additional documents: receipt, invoice, etc.
– ornamental. Specialized envelopes, made of high-quality colored paper. Used for mailing and personal giving of greeting cards, invitations, carnets, etc.
– safe, otherwise known as depository. They are impossible to open without breaching the security features, so unwanted access to the contents will be noticed right away. Their walls are made of three-layer polyethylene film, resistant to mechanical, thermal and chemical damage. They are used most often for shipping important documents or transporting cash.
– expanded. They are built like traditional envelopes, but have expandable sides and bottoms, so you can send more than a few sheets of paper in them. They have an opening across the width, or across the height.
– envelopes with window. They have a transparent foil window of 45×90 mm, in which the addressee’s data should be visible, so there is no need to rewrite them on the envelopes. Used most often in offices and companies that send significant amounts of letters.
– stiffened. These are traditional envelopes with a cardboard back wall. They are used to protect important documents, certificates, diplomas, etc. from crushing.
– company. They are an additional advertising medium for a given company. They are printed with logos, graphics, company name and data.
3. Division by size.
Standard size designations are created by using the symbols A, B and C. The A format most often refers to sheets of paper, while B and C are used to size envelopes. Envelopes marked with the letter C are used to pack the corresponding A-formats into them, e.g. you can freely pack A4-size paper into a C4 envelope.
The detailed breakdown is prepared in accordance with ISO rules and is described in the table below:
The most common envelope formats are: DL, C4, C5, C6.
4. Analyzing the topic of envelopes, it is still worth noting the division by method of closure.
HK (“self-adhesive envelope with security”) – closed with a self-adhesive strip, protected by a foil. Simply remove it and close the envelope.
NK (“on the envelope”) – glued wet. You need to moisten the glue applied to the envelope, after which you can easily glue the flap in place.
SK (“self-adhesive envelope”) – self-adhesive, where latex glue is placed at the factory on both sealed edges. In order to glue them together, they must be joined together.
BK (“without glue”) – has no glue. Found in envelopes that are frequently used and their contents inserted and removed, such as X-ray envelopes.
5. Summary.
The above analysis has presented the multitude of options available when choosing the right envelopes. They differ not only in dimensions, but, more importantly, in application and appropriately selected properties. This makes it easy to match them to the current needs and requirements of specific shipments.
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