Manila Envelope Sizes: A Guide to Common Dimensions and Uses

Only last week did I witness someone having difficulty getting a contract paper into an envelope that was about one inch smaller than the size of the paper. The paper ended up being all wrinkled and bent when it was finally forced into the envelope.

But the solution is straightforward; all it takes is knowing the dimensions before purchase.

At The Custom Boxes, we’re often approached with questions regarding manila envelope sizes more than you would think possible, which is why we put together this guide on the most commonly used sizes and their applications.

What Is a Manila Envelope?

You know the one. Tan, a bit stiff, sitting in every office supply closet in the country. It's made from tough paper pulp, which is why it doesn't tear the moment you overfill it.

People use them for contracts, school papers, photos, and plain old filing. They're cheap and light, so mail rooms go through them by the hundreds.

The closures differ. Some have a metal clasp and a string or flap. Some use a glue strip, and some are peel-and-seal. The closure has nothing to do with size, but if you're stuffing a thick stack inside, I'd pick the clasp every time.

Common Manila Envelope Dimensions

These are the manila envelope dimensions you'll see most. Width comes first, then height, in inches:

6 x 9: small, good for booklets, cards and a handful of pages
9 x 12: the everyday size, made for letter paper
10 x 13: a little roomier, useful for thicker stacks or papers in a folder
10 x 15: big enough for legal paper and larger files
12 x 15.5: for catalogs, artwork and anything oversize

Sizes vary from brand to brand. There might be a quarter-inch difference either way, so make sure to read the listing first before you buy a whole box.

Choosing the Correct Size

Measure your documents. Please! It just takes a minute, and most wrong-sized orders come from not doing this.

Thick: 50 pages require much more space than five pages.
Additional space: give half an inch to make it easier to insert.
Closeness: clasp envelope can take more space than glue flap.
Additional pieces: order more than enough, because one will always be damaged somehow.

In case of bulk order, Blackline Packaging Company can provide you with sample boxes for checking the size. It’s always better than to open a carton of 500 wrong sized boxes.

Who uses Manila envelopes?

Office work leads the way, with contracts, bills, resumes, and who knows what else from inside the filing cabinet this year. Easy to mark and stack.

Teachers send home handouts to them. Photographers mail prints in them because the paper stays flat. Lawyers and real estate agents use them for forms and records they can't afford to crease.

Tips for Mailing a Manila Envelope

Weigh your letter before going to the counter at the post office. A heavy manila envelope may be more expensive to send than you think because the cost is based on size and weight.

A few things help:

Seal the flap well, and add tape if it's heavy.
Write the address clearly, with a return address too.
Insert some cardboard for photos or certificates.

If you’re sending something that could be broken, don’t use manila; instead, go with a padded mailer. Manilla may be strong, but it won’t cushion a fall.

Conclusion

Size really does matter with a simple thing. Know your paper, plan your run, and have extra. The 9 x 12 will handle all letter size materials, the 10 x 15 will be perfect for all legal size, and even the plain old business envelope will do just fine.

If you want a second opinion on sizes, or you're ordering a big batch, Blackline Packaging can point you in the right direction. Get a sample and try it with your own papers. You'll know in about a minute if it fits.

For your customized boxes, you can freely get in touch with us at:

E-mail: quote@blacklinepackaging.com

PH: 1-847-737-1116