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Envelope Basics

When designing an invitation or card always choose your envelope first. That way you’ll be sure to have an envelope that fits your invitation design perfectly. Once you’ve chosen an envelope, your insert should be at least 1/4" smaller horizontally and vertically than the envelope itself. There should be at least 1/8" clearance on either side of the invitation to insure it fits in the envelope. Remember, if your invitation is thick, or if you’ve used embellishments, you may need more room to accommodate the extra thickness. Always make a sample invitation first, so you can correct any errors before making all of them.

Traditionally 4-Bar, or Baronial envelopes, are used for announcements and RSVP cards. A-2’s are also commonly used for this purpose. If you wish to use an inner and outer envelope for an invitation choose an A-6 and an A-7, or an A-7 and an A-8, and so on. Most colored or patterned papers do not offer inner and outer envelope sizes common to wedding invitations because until recently, most wedding invites have used only white or cream envelopes.

The chart below provides you with standard envelope names and sizes, along with the flat and folded card sizes for each.