MV1 - Plain envelopes - Envelope size and address placement requirements

Sep 3, 2026

Upload by Eliana

Plain envelope specifications for both small and large formats, defining minimum order quantity, outer dimensions, maximum thickness, and minimum paper weight. Includes detailed rules for recipient address placement in Field C, typography and font sizing requirements, spacing constraints, and prohibited styling such as bold/italic/underline within addresses. Covers print color contrast, window-envelope restrictions, use of 2D/QR/Datamatrix and alphanumeric codes, and guidance for return address keywords and layout to prevent mis-sorting.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryForms

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Small envelopes

Address placement rules (Field C)

Large envelopes

Address placement rules (Field C)

Recipient address formatting

Fonts, spacing, and prohibited styles

Window envelopes and codes

2D/QR/Datamatrix and alphanumeric placement

Return address (sender)

Keywords and large-window layout

| | Small envelopes | Large envelopes | | --- | --- | --- | | Minimum number | 200 items | 200 items | | Maximum dimensions | B5 (25 cm x 17.6 cm) | B4 (35 .3 cm x 25 cm) | | Maximum thickness | 0.5 cm | 2 cm | | Minimum dimensions | 14 cm x 9 cm | 14 cm x 9 cm | | Paper quality, minimum for envelopes | 80 grams per m2 | 90 grams per m2 | | Recipient’s address | | --- | | The recipient’s address must be placed in Field C (see 6. Templates)
• The recipient’s address must be at least 2 lines
• All lines must be set with a straight left margin
• All address lines must be parallel with the bottom edge of the envelope
• All lines must have the same line spacing of 1 or 1.5. No double line spacing or open/blank lines. See template in 6 d)
• Space between the words must be 1 or 2 space bars
• Customer number, Electronic Address Updating or similar customer ID must always be put atthe top of the address lines | | Typeface/fonts and font size | | The following typefaces/fonts and font sizes must be used
• Arial – font size 10,11,12
• Courier New – font size 10,11,12
• Verdana – font size 9,10,11,12
• Fonts and font size must be the same in the entire address
• Bold, Italic or underlined text is not permitted | | Print colour | | The address must be in dark print on white or very light coloured background. | | Window envelopes | | Only the recipient address must appear in the window
• The entire address must be visible in the window and placed in such a way that it cannot slide away from the window
• Allow a clear space of 10 mm between sender and recipient address
• No text, numbers or other marks which are not part of the address may appear, neither in the address field or the window
• DIV tags and ”Paid by”(e.g. Giro payment forms) can however be accepted within the address window
• If the address field are framed with an unbroken | | 2D/QR/Datamatrix/Alphanumeric code | | 2D/QR/Datamatrix codes, including numeric characters, can be placed in the address field. The clearance to the address lines must be at least 10 mm.
• If the 2D/QR/Datamatrix code is placed at the top of the address lines with the same straight left margin, the clearance can be less than 10 mm
• Alphanumeric codes placed at the top of the address lines must be set as line 1 in the address with the same line spacing as the rest of the address field.
• A 2D/QR/Datamatrix code with numeric characters and alphanumeric codes must however not be placed to the left of the address | | Address labels | | Address labels can be used as long as the terms in general are met | | Return address (Senders address) | | --- | | The return address may be printed on the back or on the face of the envelope, and must be complete and in a readable typeface (see template for placing) | | Keywords | | If placing the return address in Field A on the face of the envelope, use of a keyword is recommended to avoid that the return address can be mistaken as the recipient’s address.
Approved keywords
Avsender, Returadresse, Returadr, Retur Adr, Retur, Fra/From, Sender, Return to | | Large window | | When the recipient’s address and the return address are placed in one large window the risk that the sorting machines can misinterpret the recipient and return address increases. For that reason a keyword must always precede the return address when using a large window. In addition, we recommend that the return address is printed on a line, see figure 6 c
1. When the return address is set in one line, the keyword should precede the return address
2. When the return address is set in multiple lines, the keyword should be placed at the top of the address with a straight left margin, and with the same fonts and line spacing as the address lines | | Typeface/fonts and font size | | Typeface/fonts and font size should be the same in the entire return address, including the keyword.
• Font size should be smaller than the one used on

FAQs

What are the minimum and maximum dimensions and thickness for small and large envelopes?

Small envelopes require B5 (25 cm x 17.6 cm) with a maximum thickness of 0.5 cm. Large envelopes use B4 (35.3 cm x 25 cm) with a maximum thickness of 2 cm, alongside minimum dimensions of 14 cm x 9 cm for both.

Where must the recipient’s address be placed and how should it be formatted?

The recipient’s address must be placed in Field C with at least two lines, straight left margins, and lines parallel to the bottom edge. All address lines must share the same line spacing (1 or 1.5) and use approved spacing between words (1 or 2 space bars). Customer number or similar IDs must be at the top.

Are there restrictions for window envelopes and the use of QR/2D codes?

For window envelopes, only the recipient address must appear and must remain fully visible and correctly positioned. Allow clear space of 10 mm between sender and recipient address. 2D/QR/Datamatrix codes may be placed in the address field with at least 10 mm clearance, with special placement rules when the code is at the top.

Sep 3, 2026

Upload by Eliana