What Kind Of Envelopes Can You Mail?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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To be eligible for mailing at the price for letters, a piece must be:

Rectangular

.

At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick

. No more than 6-1/8 inches high x 11-1/2 inches long x 1/4 inch thick.

How can I make a custom envelope?

According to the blog The Postman's Knock, as long as you follow certain U.S. Postal Service regulations you

can make your own

and successfully send them through the mail.

Can you make your own envelope?

You can make amazing DIY envelopes out of pretty much

any flat, paper-like material

! All you have to do is make a template (super simple), trace around it, cut, and glue. Add some calligraphy and a stamp or two, and you have a unique that's ready to rock someone's mailbox!

What can I use if I don't have an envelope?


Get a paper

that's about twice as large as your desired envelope size. If in doubt, a standard size of 8.5 by 11 inches will do fine; you can fold and cut it in half before beginning if you want a small envelope. Fold the paper over evenly. You should get a rectangle half the size of your original piece.

Can you use homemade envelopes in the mail?

As long as your handmade envelope

weighs under one ounce*

, it won't require any additional postage.

What happens if you don't put a return address on a package?

The return address is not required on . However, lack of a return address

prevents the postal service from being able to return the item if it proves undeliverable

; such as from damage, postage due, or invalid destination. Such mail may otherwise become dead letter mail.

Can you send cards without envelopes?


A postcard

is a rectangular mailer sent without an envelope. Sending a postcard is an extremely affordable way to communicate when you're using the U.S Postal Service—regular postcards cost only $0.36 to mail!

What paper is best for making envelopes?

For envelopes, we use bond-grade paper, such as

wove

, surface enhanced white wove, kraft, recycled, specialty or tear-resistant paper, where a standard sheet is 17×22”.

What is the best weight of paper to make envelopes?

I like to use

65 lb. cardstock

for both cards and envelopes. However, it's best to look for other options to prevent the envelope from becoming too bulky. Just be sure you find paper that is not see through or too thin if you are sending it in the mail.

Can I decorate an envelope and send it?

You may use

colored cards

and envelopes for mailing (as well as different ink colors) if there is no interference with the reading of the information or postmark. First and foremost, the mailing recipient's information should be clear and legible.

Can I put stickers on envelopes?

The United States Post office is okay with (with a few guidelines), so

stickers should be fine too

! … Make sure the stickers are not too close to areas for the address and return address. Don't put a sticker where the stamp goes.

Is there really a dead letter office?


The Mail Recovery Center (MRC) in Atlanta

is the U.S. Postal Service

®

‘s official “lost and found” department. Formerly the “Dead Letter Office,” the MRC has had several consolidations that have centralized the operation from four centers into one.

Is it OK to put return address on back of envelope?


The return address goes on the back flap of your invitation envelope

and the front side of your response envelopes. … Formally, the return address should be handwritten, but it is acceptable today for this to be printed, to use a mailing label, or a return address stamp. Traditional, modern, casual–the choice is yours.

Can you put a fake return address?

No. It can be considered a deceptive practice if the intent is to deceive someone however. The main purpose behind the return address, is just that,

an address the postal service can return something in the event it cannot be delivered

Whats the smallest envelope you can mail?

Answer:

3-1/2-x-5 (inches)

is the smallest legal mailing size for an envelope in the US.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.