®
Choosing
the right envelope
The envelope you design or choose is just as important as the contents inside. There are many
factors to consider when making your selection: the size of the contents, whether automated
equipment is required for the content insertion, addressing requirements and the budget.
Understanding the basic functions for each envelope will help you make the right decision.
FEATURE
DETAILS
FEATURE
DETAILS
Front of envelope is plain with no
window panel.
Used for lightweight correspondence.
Suitable for hand inserted &
addressed documents.
Front of envelope includes a window
panel.
Used for lightweight correspondence.
No labelling required.
Suitable for documents that have been
pre-addressed.
Envelope with a near rectangular
flap along the longer edge.
Small Wallets are used for lightweight
correspondence.
Large Wallets/Booklet Mailers
are used for booklets, small catalogues
and commercial documents.
Envelope with a near rectangular flap
along the short edge.
Small Pockets are used for general
correspondence. Large Pockets are
used when extra strength is required
for contents such as
• Magazines • Catalogues
• Annual Reports • Legal Documents
Envelope with a triangular flap along
the longer edge.
Used for lightweight correspondence,
commercial documents and direct mail.
Generally suitable for machine insertion.
Front of envelope is pre-printed
with Internal Mail Grid.
Used to distribute sensitive
correspondence within a company.
Interoffice envelopes can be used
over and over again.
4 blank boxes pre-printed on the
bottom right hand corner of
the envelope.
Used for hand written 4 digit postcode.
Front of envelope is pre-printed
with layout to record wage details.
Perfect for distribution of wages.
FEATURE
DETAILS
FEATURE
Requires moisture to close.
DETAILS
A unique reusable seal.
Ideal for internal mail systems.
Can be used over and over again.
Ideal for large jobs via mail houses.
Generally suitable for machine insertion
(refer to Quick Reference Guide).
Simply peel back peel strip and seal.
No moisture or licking required.
Designed for hand insertion.
Stronger Seal.
Longer shelf life.
Ideal for printing your own company
logo or details.
Window envelopes have a glassine
window film for safe use through
your laser printer.
Pre-gummed flaps for quick and
convenient closure.
No moisture required.
Only available in CD&DVD
Envelope flap inserts into pre-slit area.
Helps to keep flap down when storing
CD & DVD’s.
Envelope flaps with no adhesive
properties, no seal at all.
Mainly used in Xray industry, and for
interoffice use.
Secretive pattern printed on the
inside of the envelope.
Protects your private letters and
documents.
Built in tear-tape device.
Facilitates quick opening of envelopes.
HEAVY
WEIGHT
PAPER
Heavy Weight Paper Stock.
Available in heavy weight and
ultra heavy weight.
ADDRESSING GUIDELINES
Australia Post uses advanced letter sorting technology to read the address on each
envelope electronically. These machines work best when address formats are structured
in a consistent manner. That is why it is necessary to address your mail clearly and
correctly. The information below demonstrates how.
Envelope Layout
It is important the zones on the envelope, indicated below, are observed at all times.
85mm
SERVICE ZONE
POSTAGE ZONE
SERVICE INDICATORS EG.
ADVERTISING,
RETURN ADDRESS,ETC
STAMPS, ETC.
40mm
ADDRESSING ZONE
KEEP CLEAR
15mm
INDEXING ZONE FOR BARCODE PRINTING
15mm
15mm
THIS AREA SHOULD BE KEPT CLEAR FOR AUSTRALIA POST
1. The top line should contain the
recipient’s name.
2. The second last line should contain the
number and name of the street, or PO Box
or locked bag number if applicable.
ENVELOPE FACE FORMAT - ALLOCATION OF ZONES
RETURN ADDRESS
MAY BE PRINTED
HERE OR ON
THE FLAP ON
BACK OF ENVELOPE
Typically, the address should be
written in three lines:
3. The last line should contain the place
name or post office of delivery, State or
Territory abbreviation and postcode. This
line should be printed in capitals without
punctuation or underlining. For overseas
mail the country name should be in capitals
on the bottom line.
Where extra clarifying information is
required, place this information above the
last two lines of the address. This includes
information such as:
• Company or property name
• Non-address information, e.g. Attention Mr/s
General Addressing Tips
MACHINE ADDRESSING TIPS
Use the correct postcode – don’t guess it
if you don’t know it. The postcode should
be the last item in the address.
• Use clear readable type. Ensure the print characters in the address do not touch or
overlap. Australia Post recommends using a fixed pitch type font such as Courier 12
point, 10 pitch
Use clear print– Print clearly using dark
ink, preferably black on white. Red, yellow
or orange inks should be avoided.
• Avoid italic, artistic, script, coarse dot matrix, extremely wide or narrow print fonts.
• Replace worn out ribbons or cartridges.
• Addresses in window face envelopes should be clearly visible through the window.
No other information should appear through the window, together with the address,
even if the contents should move.
Keep the address straight – the address
lines should be parallel to the bottom of the
envelope.
•Don’t use Postcode Squares for machine-addressed letters even if they are
pre-printed on the envelope.
Don’t indent or stagger address lines –
each line of the address should start at the
same point on the left hand side.
TYPICAL MACHINE ADDRESSED ENVELOPE
ALWAYS INCLUDE
THE RETURN
ADDRESS
If undelivered return to
Australian Office
Private Bag 2
Preston VIC 3072
THIS LINE SHOULD BE PRINTED IN CAPITALS WITHOUT
PUNCTUATION OR UNDERLINING. FOR OVERSEAS MAIL THE
COUNTRY NAME SHOULD BE IN CAPITALS ON THE BOTTOM LINE.
ALWAYS INCLUDE THE CORRECT POSTCODE IN THE LAST LINE.
LEAVE ONE OR TWO SPACES BETWEEN THE PLACE, THE TERRITORY
OR STATE ABBREVIATION AND POSTCODE.
Space words correctly – leave one or two
character spaces between the place name
or post office of delivery and the State or
Territory abbreviation and the same
amount of space between the State or
Territory abbreviation and the postcode.
POSTAGE
PAID
Don’t underline anything – no words in
the address should be underlined.
JUSTIFY LEFT
MARGIN
TUDOR ENVELOPES
( Attn: MR ENVELOPE )
50 RAGLAN ST
PRESTON VIC 3072
ATTENTION OR OTHER DETAILS SHOULD NOT APPEAR
IN OR BELOW THE LAST LINES OF THE ADDRESS.
POST CODE
SQUARES
ARE NOT
REQUIRED
Include a return address – place the
sender’s address in the top left corner, or on
the back flap of the envelope. This ensures
Australia Post can return the letter if it can’t
be delivered.
Envelope and Paper Size Chart
A guide on how to fold an A4 sheet of paper inside your envelope.
Once folded
A4
Twice folded
DL envelope
A5
A4
Once folded
110 x 220
C5
envelope
162 x 229
DLX 120 x 235
A4
Twice folded
C6
114 X 162
A5
Once folded
A4
Unfolded
C4
envelope
229 x 324
Envelope Window Size and Position Chart
Indicates window dimensions and distance from left hand edge and base of envelopes.
No longer available
No longer available
* All measurements are in millimetres.
A5
Unfolded