Exclusive to the trade Mon–Fri 8:00 am to 4:00 pm 206-767-3653
Envelope Converting ServiceSeattle, Washington
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Services

Exclusive to the trade means we do not print. Send us your pre-printed flat stock or blank stock and we convert it in 14 days or less.

Cutting methods

How we cut

Method 01

High Die Cutting

A 3″ steel die cuts a lift of 150 to 200 sheets at once. Fast and economical. Cutting register can vary 1/16″ in any direction, which is within industry standards, so bleeds wrap 1/8″ over the fold lines and borders stay 1/4″ back.

FAQ Sheet sizes

Method 02

Letterpress Die Cutting

A thin steel rule die cuts and scores one sheet at a time. This is the method for critically registered bleeds and borders, where image shift cannot be tolerated. Requires a larger one-up sheet because more gripper area is needed.

FAQ Sheet sizes

Method 03

Glue-Bind Pre-mailers

Two-way mailers, catalog order form inserts, comment mailers and perforated reply cards. We fold 3, 4 or 5 panels into a glued pocket with 1 or 2 perfs and a re-moisten gum strip, roll folded or double parallel.

FAQ Sheet sizes

Also available

Finishing and extras

Past the cutting and folding, this is the finishing work printers send us most. All of it happens in the same building, on the same job.

Finishing 01

Window patching

Windows can be placed almost anywhere on the envelope. Placement needs to be at least 1/4″ from the sides and 1/2″ from the top or bottom. We now have window patching for open-end catalog and large open-side booklet sizes too.

Window die chart

Finishing 02

Peel and seal

A pressure-sensitive adhesive strip runs along the seal flap under a removable liner. Peel the liner, press the flap down, and it is sealed. No moisture and no moistener needed, and the bond is immediate. Keep ink and varnish out of the seal areas so the adhesive has clean paper to bond to.

Finishing 03

Self-sealing latex gum

A strong adhesive applied in two strips. When the two strips are pressed together they stick to each other forming the seal. It can be applied over regular re-moisten seal gum on a ready-made envelope. Envelopes with latex gum are delivered with the flaps extended and are packaged in special size cartons.

Finishing 04

Stock cutting

We will measure and cut your stock to the proper sheet for the best die cutting result. Cutting charge is $100.00 per hour with a half hour minimum.

Find your sheet size

Finishing 05

Blank envelopes from our stock

ECS is a custom manufacturer and does not stock ready-made envelopes. In 14 working days or less we can make your special order: blank envelopes, windows or regulars, from our stock of plain 24 lb. white wove or blue inside tint.

Finishing 06

Custom and square envelopes

Adjustable high dies handle odd sizes and square envelopes. Specialty flap designs can be made with a steel rule die for letterpress cutting. If you do not see your size on the die list, call for layout sheet size and price.

Layout builder

A wooden drawer holding dozens of labeled window punches in different sizes.
Window punches · a drawer for nearly every window size and placement
Tall stacks of printed flat stock jogged and lined up on pallets, waiting to be cut.
Printed flat stock, jogged and staged for cutting
The cutting area of a heavy orange stock cutter machine.
The stock cutter · your sheets cut square to what the die needs

We convert only

We do not print, and we never compete with you for your customer. Send us pre-printed flat stock or blank stock and we return finished envelopes.

Get a Quote Die Finder

Standard envelope types

Styles we convert

Open-side envelopes from 3″ x 4-1/4″ to 10″ x 15″. Catalog envelopes from 4-1/8″ x 5-3/4″ to 13-1/2″ x 16-1/2″.

A Style envelope

A Style

A-style envelopes are constructed with a long, elegant square flap, hidden side seams and a shorter back. They are perfect for greeting cards, invitations and announcements.

Remittance envelope

Remittance

Remittance envelopes have a wallet flap which provides a large printing area for order blanks or donation information. Used by charities, schools, churches and mail order companies, these envelopes are usually printed on both sides, which flat sheet printing and converting makes super easy.

Baronial envelope

Baronial

Baronial envelopes, with their pointed flap, have a traditionally formal design well suited to invitations, promotions and formal correspondence.

Side Seam envelope

Side Seam

Side seam envelopes have a straight flap with round or square corners, hidden side seams and a full back. Their more custom appearance is popular with designers. Printers appreciate the smaller one-up sheet size which has the best yield from a parent sheet.

Diagonal Seam envelope

Diagonal Seam

Traditional commercial styling is used for many business and personal correspondence needs. Diagonal seams work best for automated inserting and postage metering. Nested multiple-up templates make flat sheet printing and converting very price effective.

Open End Catalog envelope

Open End Catalog

With the seal flap on the short end, these envelopes offer sturdy construction for mailing brochures and catalogs, and are more economical.

Open Side Booklets envelope

Open Side Booklets

Booklet envelopes have the flap on the long side and have a more formal appearance. They work well for machine inserting and are popular for sending large photos, statements and brochures.

See it run

Watch the converting process

From die cutting through gluing and folding. If you have not seen a job run before, this is the fastest way to understand what we need from your press sheet and why.

The process

Inside the plant

How your flat stock becomes a finished envelope, from die cutting through gluing and folding.

Ready to start a job?

Send us a PDF and we will price it out. Most jobs run in 7 to 14 days.