Envelope Printing With Your Logo

Short answer

Corporate envelopes are usually made in two sizes — small for everyday correspondence and large for A4 documents unfolded. The logo goes on the front, in the top left corner or along the bottom. Printing must account for seam and fold zones, where the print will not sit evenly.

The envelope is what a recipient sees before they open anything — which makes it an important part of a corporate identity, especially in official correspondence. Technically it differs from ordinary flat printing: it has seams, folds and overlapping layers where print does not lie evenly. This page covers where printing is possible and where it is not, and how to choose sizes.

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Key facts

Two sizes: For letters and for A4 documents
Logo position: Top left corner or bottom band
Seam zones: Printing not recommended
Window envelopes: Address shows through from the document
Reverse: Usually blank or a small logo
Full background: Technically hard, expensive
As a set: Order with letterheads
Quote: Timing by agreement

Choosing sizes

Two sizes cover office correspondence. The small envelope is for ordinary letters — an A4 sheet folds into three to fit. The large envelope holds A4 unfolded and is for contracts, commercial proposals and certificates. If a company frequently sends contracts, the large envelope is essential: a contract folded in three reads as less serious. Window envelopes are a separate category — the address is printed on the document itself and shows through the window, which saves time in bulk correspondence.

Small — ordinary letters, A4 folded in three
Large — A4 unfolded, contracts
Window — address shows from the document
Sending contracts — use the large envelope

Where printing works and where it does not

An envelope is not a flat sheet — it has seams and overlapping layers where thickness changes sharply. Print does not sit evenly in those zones: colour can go pale or fail to transfer at all. That is why the logo normally sits in the top left corner or along the bottom band, where the envelope is single-layered and flat. Printing a full background is technically possible but difficult and expensive — choosing coloured envelope stock and applying a single-colour logo is more rational.

Seams and folds — print is uneven
Top left corner — a safe zone
Bottom band — also safe
Full background — technically hard and expensive

What belongs on an envelope

The minimum set is a logo and the sender's address. Phone and website are optional, though often added along the bottom. What must be preserved is the recipient address area: large enough and clear enough to be filled in by hand or printer. A common mistake is overloading the envelope with graphics, leaving nowhere to write the recipient's address — which renders the envelope functionally useless.

Envelope types

Envelope types
Type	What it holds	Typical use
Small envelope	A4 folded in three	Everyday correspondence
Large envelope	A4 unfolded	Contracts, proposals
Window envelope	Address from the document	Bulk correspondence
Gift envelope	Voucher, card	Gift vouchers

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both sizes?

It depends on the nature of your correspondence. If the company sends contracts, the large envelope is essential. If it is only short letters, the small one suffices.

What goes on the reverse?

Usually nothing, or a small logo on the flap. The reverse is covered in seams and folds anyway, which makes printing there technically difficult.

Are coloured envelopes possible?

Yes, and it is often more rational than printing a full background on a white envelope — coloured stock gives a more even result and costs less.

How large should the address area be?

Large enough for three or four lines written by hand or printer. The right half of the envelope is normally reserved for it, and graphics should not intrude.

Should I order with letterheads?

Preferably. Printing in one cycle secures colour consistency — the corporate colour on letterhead and envelope should match, which separate orders often break.

What is the minimum run?

Envelopes are normally printed in fairly large runs, because consumption is high and setup cost spreads across the quantity. We confirm the exact minimum at order.

Related Services

Letterheads Corporate identity printing Presentation folders Invitations and greeting cards

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