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envelope-making machine. Sheets of paper, called blanks, were precut in a diamond or rhombus shape and fed into the machine to be creased along fold lines. Envelope users still had to fold the flaps, add an adhesive to secure the flaps, and use sealing wax or a wafer seal to close the envelope. It was another 50 years before a machine was developed to produce pre-gummed envelopes. How Envelopes Are Made Despite the development of machines to highly automate modern envelope manufacturing, the steps in the process are the same as in the 1840s: create envelope blanks from sheets of paper; affix glue and adhesive; fold. Envelope blanks are cut from large sheets of paper with a steel die, akin to the way a cookie cutter cuts dough. The size and shape of the blank varies depending on the size and type of envelope being manufactured. If needed, windows are cut and transparent material glued into place. Glue is applied to the seams of the envelope, and remoistenable glue is applied to the flap. The final step is folding the blanks to form the envelope. The large sheets of paper from which envelope blanks are cut can be printed prior to die cutting on either the outside or inside of the finished envelope. Outside printing is often decorative, while a tint on the inside provides a no-peek safety feature. Envelope Sealing Methods Modern envelopes offer a variety of sealing methods: Remoistenable (also known as lick and stick ) has a watersoluable gum applied to the flap. Envelope manufacturers have developed remoistenable envelopes that perform particularly well when sealed by machine. Press and seal has two flaps, each with a strip of latex that adheres when pressed together. Peel and seal has a paper strip over the latex for protection. Remove the strip and press the flap to seal. Metal fasteners are common on large catalog or booklet envelopes, particularly those made of manila stock. String and button, a metal or paper button with a string that wraps around the button, are common on an envelope that will be opened and closed frequently. Tamper evident has a perforated strip on the top flap; once opened, it cannot be resealed. Types of Envelopes Used in Business Envelopes are made for many purposes, so it is useful to categorize them according to use. Commercial envelopes are used for business purposes such as correspondence, direct mail and invoicing/payment. Commercial envelopes are typically made of 24# basis weight paper in either fine writing or white book/offset grades in these popular sizes: #10, measuring 4 1/8 x 9 1/2 : an 8 1/2 x 11 sheet (such as a sheet of letterhead or a brochure) that is trifolded fits perfectly into a #10. #9, measuring 3 7/8 x 8 5/8 (slightly smaller than a #10): also holds a trifolded 8 1/2 x 11 sheet, and will also fit into a #10. Often used as a reply or remittance envelope. 6 3/4, measuring 3 5/8 x 6 3/4 : fits into a #10, so can also be used for reply or remittance. Also holds a smaller statement. These three sizes are all available with a standard window (placement in lower left corner) and with inside tint for security. The most common sealing method is remoistenable glue. Large envelopes are used for mailing bulkier material, booklets, or multiple sheets where folding is undesirable. There are two styles of large envelopes: catalog and booklet. A catalog envelope has the flap located on the shorter side, while a booklet envelope has the flap on the longer side. Large envelopes are typically made of 24# or 28# stock, either white wove or manila. The most popular sizes are: 6 x 9 : holds 8 1/2 x 11 sheets folded in half. 9 x 12 : holds 8 1/2 x 11 sheets without folding. 10 x 13 : holds 8 1/2 x 11 sheets without folding but has more capacity than the 9 x 12. Common sealing methods include remoistenable glue, peeland-seal, metal fasteners, and button and string. Specialty envelopes are used for social correspondence and invitations. A good rule of thumb when choosing the size of a specialty envelope is to have at least 1/4 more in height and width than the insert. The most popular specialty envelopes are: Baronial: typically available in white or off-white stock only. This envelope has diagonal seams and a pointed flap, and can be used with a panel card or foldover of coordinating size. Used for formal announcements, invitations, greeting cards and some personal stationery. The most popular sizes are: #4: 3 5/8 x 4 5/8 #6: 5 x 6 #5½: 4 3/8 x 5 5/8 #7 or Lee - 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 Each size of a baronial envelope will fit into the next largest size. Because of the pointed flap, baronial envelopes usually cannot be sealed by machine. Announcement: also called A-style, these have side seams and square, deep flaps and are available in more kinds of stock than a baronial. Used for invitations and personal stationery, the most popular sizes are: A-2: 4 3/8 x 5 3/4 A-7: 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 A-6: 4 3/4 x 6 1/2 Each size of an announcement envelope will fit into the next largest size. See Us For Your Envelope Needs Envelopes still play an important role in business communications and transactions as well as direct mail marketing. We can help guide you through the choice of envelopes for various purposes to help you find the perfect application. To discuss options, call Kay Beam at 763-425-7317 for an appointment.
Tip #3: When doing your own design work, create the file using industry standards for photo image resolution, file compression, and allowances for bindery functions. During preflight, we check the file to be sure it will successfully complete raster image processing. We also check photo and other image resolution, and the allowances for bindery functions such as bleeds, folds, booklet binding and drill holes. If the file you submit has not been constructed carefully, we will return it to you for correction or quote you the cost of having us make the repairs. Tip #4: Use the right design tools. When designing, use the right tools. Microsoft Word is a good tool for writing a report, but it is not a printing industry standard for laying out a brochure. Adobe Illustrator is an industry standard tool for drawings and illustrations, but not for page layout. Adobe Photoshop is an industry standard for color correcting and manipulating photographs, but not for page layout. Tip #5: Submit a print-ready PDF file. PDF is now an established industry standard for file submission. Learn how to adjust the settings in the native application you are using so when the PDF is created, the allowance for bleed is maintained and all fonts are included with the PDF, including linked fonts. Tip #7: Allow enough time for the job to be completed using our normal production standards. We always work best when we are not under time pressure. When we have to rush a job through the production process, there is less time to double-check our work, which means we can t be as dependable as we like to be. We understand that some emergencies are unavoidable (a top salesman is out of business cards) or are the result of a sales opportunity. We just ask that emergencies are the exception, not the rule. As much as we d like to meet impossible deadlines, sometimes it isn t physically possible. Our equipment might not have enough capacity to meet the requirement in the time available, or there may be too many production steps for the available time. Tip #8: Develop a relationship with us. To be successful at what you do, you need the products and services that we provide. We have learned about your business and understand the role that printing plays in your success. We use our printing expertise and experience to make suggestions and offer options. We keep our commitments to deliver a quality product, on time, and at the agreed-upon price. If you are not experiencing this level of performance with your current printer, we invite you to contact Kay Beam at 763-425-7317 to discuss how we can be of assistance to you. Tip #6: Be open to using either offset or digital printing. Many items such as business cards, brochures, flyers, invitations and 4-page programs can be successfully printed on either our offset press or digital printer. Let us suggest which one to use based on the specific parameters of the job quantity, type of paper, total production time, and budget.
A survey of over 1,000 large businesses, across 10 different vertical industries, found that more than 60% of respondents campaigns were personalized or segmented. Response rates and conversion rates from the various personalized marketing campaigns are shown below. Visions goes beyond traditional marketing by cutting through the clutter with personalized solutions, which allows you to tailor messages and graphics specific to your individual client s needs. Contact me anytime to learn how our cross-channel solutions can work for you. Kay Beam 763-425-7317 kay.beam@visionsfirst.com DAFDFDTFAAATATFATDAAFAFTFDFFDDDFTTDAADFDADTDFDADADFAAAAATFFTAADDF ***********************AUTO**3-DIGIT 553 David Resch S1 B1 C1### Albertville Orthodontics 5075 Jason Ave NE Albertville MN 55301-9688