Envelope Flap Types

Flap Styles

The flap is located on the back of the envelope and is folded down to close and secure the contents. There are a variety of flap styles available, below are some of the most common envelope flap types:

Envelope Flap Considerations

There are 3 main things you’ll want to consider when selecting the right flap for you, which are security, style and insertion.

Security

Functionally you want to flap to secure the goods inside. For example, if you are inserting a heavy duty document or brochure, then a larger flap will be more appropriate as it has more glue area and therefore more hold than a shorter one.

Style

Visually, some flap styles are more associated to certain contents than others, such as greeting cards in a banker style envelope. Generally, a pointed v-flap will seem more elegant and traditional, while a straight flap more business-like and a longer flap can also appear more prestige and high end (however this is not a hard and fast rule). Design trends and personal preference play a large part in style choice, but our diagrams below of the most common types may help guide you.

Insertion

Will you be using a machine to insert the envelope contents? If so then you’ll need to check the capabilities of the machine to see whether your chosen flap style is compatible.

Now you're familiar with the different envelope flap types why not move on to learn about Envelope Closure Seals or head back to the Envelope Education menu. If you're ready to find your perfect envelope use the menu at the top of the page to shop now!