Look for an Envelope that is 1/8 – 1/4 Inch Larger than Your Card
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Customers often ask us which envelope size would be the best fit for their invitation card? Selecting the right envelope size is easily one of the top factors to consider when making invitations. We have said it before, pick your envelopes first! It’s much easier to fit a card to an envelope than it is to fit your envelope to a card.
Watch this quick video and read below for some helpful tips to properly size your invitation and envelope set.
Avoid Headaches – Always Choose Your Invitation Envelopes First!
When making invitations, many are inclined to design their invitations first and worry about finding envelopes later. This is a very common mistake that can lead to frustration and disappointment. Avoid the urge – don’t do it! Always choose your envelops first! Here’s why:
Envelopes are made to standard, popular industry sizes. Where invitations can easily be altered to fit into an envelope, an envelope can not be altered to accommodate an invitation. You do not want to spend hours designing invitations only to find out that proper envelopes for them do not exist.
Custom made envelopes, you ask? Typically, you will be required to order several thousand envelopes if you want a custom size envelope. Unfortunately this fact, leaves you with three choices – use envelopes that are way too large (not recommended), spend several more hours making your own envelopes (who has the time?), or go back to the drawing board on those invitations (frustrating).
Now that you know the importance of choosing envelopes first, onto our tips to choose the right size for your invitations!
Find That Perfect Fit
The guideline to the perfect fit is an envelope that is 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch larger than your card.
This ratio will afford your card plenty of room to easily slide into the envelope, without excessive wiggle or slide that can make your presentation look sloppy.
The Standard “A” Size Envelope Chart Makes This Easy – No Measuring Required
Standard “A” Sizes – A1, A2, A6, A7, etc. designated with A followed by a number corresponds to specific card and envelope sizes.
For convenience & simplicity, a card and envelope with the same A size designation are designed to be paired together.
For example, A7 cards and A7 envelopes are the perfect fit:
- A7 card (5 1/8 x 7)
- A7 envelope (5 1/4 x 7)
No measuring required; all you have to know with A sizes is that if the numbers match, the card and envelope sizes match – easy!
We designed this handy chart of LCI Paper Standard Envelope Sizes. This should help simplify the process on pairing our cards and envelopes.
Do you have a Baronial cream or off white smooth envelope to fit an A-10 size invitation? Would you have an unlinned inner and outer envelope this size, I need 500 of them. If not, what size is the largest that would fit this request? Thank you for your prompt reply.
Dina Goldstein
Hi Dina,
Unfortunately, there is no true double envelope set for an A10 size invitation. We carry an Ecru Cream A10 – 6 x 9 1/2 Envelope but it has a straight flap, not a pointed flap.
my card is 5 3/8 x 7 1/4. do you have a nice ivory envelope. Need 50.
Hi Geraldine,
Thank you for your interest in our envelopes. As the video shows, an envelope to accommodate your card should be 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch larger. The perfect envelope size for your card would be about 5 1/2 x 7 1/2, but we are unaware of an envelope in this size. The closest size that we offer is our A8 – 5 ½ x 8 ⅛ Envelope Ecru. This envelope is a bit wider than ideal so if you’re interested in trying it, we encourage you to first order a sample. It is an Ecru Cream color, perhaps a bit more creamy and less yellow than ivory. This envelope size is also available in a linen finish: A8 – 5 ½ x 8 ⅛ Envelope Beckett Cambric Linen Colonial White.
Hello, I am looking for a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 ivory envelope with a pointed flap. It is for my wedding invitations that came with a flat flap and will not look as nice with my wax stamp as a pointed one would. Thank you
Hi DJ. Thank you for checking with us for wedding quality envelopes. Unfortunately, we do not carry any 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 envelopes. But a very popular envelope size is 5 3/4 x 8 3/4. We offer a wide range of 5 3/4 x 8 3/4 (A9) size envelopes with a straight flap, but unfortunately none with a pointed flap. You may be interested in our Old World European Flap Envelopes that also measure 5 3/4 x 8 3/4.
Can a A7 – 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 Envelope Ecru fit inside a A9 – 5 3/4 x 8 3/4 Envelope Carnival Black
Hi TaNeshia,
Yes, an A7 envelope will fit inside an A9 envelope. But keep in mind this is not a true inner/outer wedding envelope set. Feel free to get in touch if you have any specific questions about this. We’ll be happy to help.
If I am ordering the 5 1/8 x 7 landscape pocket fold, Ebenum, will it fit in the 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 envelopes or should I go one size bigger, 5 7/16 x 7 7/8, to accomodate the thickness of all of the inserts (RSVP, hotel information, map/directions)?
Hi Sheila,
Yes, a 5 1/4 x 7 1/4 (A7) Mailing Envelope is the correct size to accommodate our A7 Landscape Pocket Folds – 5 1/8 x 7. You should not need to go with a larger size. Please see our Pocket Fold sizing chart for the complete picture.
For peace of mind, you may want to order an A7 Pocket Fold, A7 Mailing Envelope, and possibly cards. Load the Pocket Fold as you envision and place it into the envelope. You can bring the finished invitation ensemble into your local Post Office to have it weighed to determine the postage.
My daughter’s wedding invitation is 5.5 x 7.75. She would like to put a backing sheet on it to make it a little heavier. What would you suggest the size of the cardstock be so we can buy an envelope to fit?
Hi Judy,
The answer to your question is dependent on the envelope you are using; but assuming you have not already purchased your envelopes, please take the following suggestions into consideration.
The next pre-cut card size up that we offer is an A9, which measures 5 1/2 x 8 1/2. If you used a 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 (A9) card as a backing card beneath your 5 1/2 x 7 3/4 top layer, you would have just a slight border at the top and bottom of the invitation card but no border on the sides, which would be an interesting look. Keep in mind that one advantage to using this size is that we offer lots of 5 3/4 x 8 3/4 (A9) envelopes to accommodate it.
If you would prefer a border all around your top layer, you might consider using a custom cut card that measures 5 7/8 x 8 1/8. This would give you a small, but uniform border all around, and would allow you to fit the card into a 6 x 8 1/4 inch baronial envelope. We offer these envelopes in white and ecru. If you are interested in custom cutting, please give us a call for additional information.
Please let us know if you have any additional questions for us.
Hi,
My wedding invitation is 9×9… What is your suggested size for the envelope? Also, do you ship to the Philippines?
Hi Trisha,
The rule of thumb for envelopes is to find one that is approximately 1/8 inch larger than your invitation on all sides, so you would need a 9 1/4 inch square envelope. Unfortunately we do not offer envelopes of this size.
How to Find the Right Envelope Size for Your Invitation
We do ship to all international destinations. For more information on international shipping, please view the following video:
Does LCI Paper Ship Internationally?
Hello, the reply card for me wedding invitation is 3.5 x 5. Which would be the right size envelope to purchase?
Hi Angela,
You would need an A4 response envelope for your cards, which measures 3 5/8 x 5 1/8.
I have a 5×7 invitation that I would like to layer on top of an A9 card stock. After layering, adding a response card, response envelope, and information card will it all still fit in an A9 envelope? Any suggestions to share? Thanks!
Hi Jill,
The more you put in an envelope, the more the sides bow out, making it less accommodating. However, you should have no problem placing the items you mentioned inside of your envelope. Just be sure it’s sealed well before mailing.
I was wondering if you had a recommendation for an outer envelope for our wedding invitations. The size we are using for the inner envelope and cardstock is the A9.
Hi Jennifer,
Unfortunately we do not have a double envelope set for A9 (5 3/4 x 8 3/4) envelopes. The next size up that we have is an A10 – 6 x 9 1/2 inches.
Just note that there is a bit of extra space between A9s and A10s, as they are not traditionally designed to be paired as a double envelope set. There is a 1/4 inch difference in height between the two envelopes, and 3/4 inch difference in the width.
Hello, I am using a seal and send invitation but I wanted to used a envelope because I didnt want the invite to get dirty or torn in the mailing process. This invite is measured at 5 5/8 and 4 1/8…what size do you suggest I purchase?
Hi Christian,
Since seal and sends are not designed to go in envelopes, we do not have one that is a great fit unfortunately. However, they do fit inside of an A6 Envelope – just keep in mind there will be a bit more slack between the envelope and the invitation than average.
Hi, I have an invite that measures 5×7 and I want to attach a colored backer card to this to show a slight border around all edges. What size backer do you recommend so that I can still fit into a A9 envelope? Also, what weight do you recommend for the top invite and what weight do you recommend for the backer card to keep postage costs as low as possible? Thank you
Hi Juvina,
An A9 envelope measures 5 3/4 x 8 3/4 so your backer card can be up to 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches. We have this size pre-cut:
5 1/2 x 8 1/2 A9 cards
Of course, this will leave you with a very large border. You might consider trimming your 5 x 7 card a bit and laying it on top of an A7 (5 1/8 x 7) card and using an A7 envelope (5 1/4 x 7 1/4).
As far as weight goes, this is really a matter of preference. Some people prefer very thick invitations, some prefer thinner. If you have a very thick 5 x 7 card, you can probably go just slightly heavier on the backer, but if you 5 x 7 card is not very thick, you can go heavier on the backer.
I have a 5 x 6 1/2 greeting card. What is the correct size envelope for that greeting card?
Hi Lauren,
Typically the right size envelope for your card is one that is 1/8 – 1/4 inch larger than the card on both the length and width ends. However, as your card is an uncommon size, our best fit envelope would be our 6 3/4 square envelopes.
I am designing a Wedding Anniversary invitation for a friend. I am considering using your envelops
Code: EBEGLD
Paper: 70lb Text
Density: 104 g/m2
Format: Double Lined
Finished Size: Inner Envelope 5 1/8 x 6 7/8 Outer Envelope 5 1/4 x 7 1/4
Color: Ecru Gold Lined
Liner: Pearlescent
Finish: Matte
Brand: LCI
Printer: Laser,Inkjet [disclaimer]
What will be the best size for the invites, if I also need to include a RSVP/menu card and return envelop?
Hi Bobbi,
Typically you want a card is is 1/8 to a 1/4 inch smaller than your envelope, so to fit inside of the Embassy Inner envelope, you need a card that is 5 x 6 3/4 or smaller.
The most popular r.s.v.p. size is an A1. A1 response cards measure 3 1/2 x 4 7/8 and A1 response envelopes measure 3 5/8 x 5 1/8.
You can find our collection of printable menu cards in the link below, though you can use any of our pre-cut blank cards to make a menu.
Printable wedding menu cards