The manila envelope is a time-tested and traditional way of transporting documents, letters and small items. But little do many know, the manila envelope has an unusual past related to territory and war. below we will explore that past and why manila is no longer used to make a single manila envelope.
origin of the manila envelope
The origin of the manila envelope is derived from a plant called manila hemp (also known as abaca), a type of banana native to the Philippines. it was most commonly used for manila rope on ships, but became a recycled product supplying the shortage of cotton and linen at the time. papermakers used the ropes to create strong, waterproof manila paper, which was an important product for communication.
but it couldn’t last long. Manila paper itself was an American invention of the 1830s, but manila was an expensive trade. During the Philippine-American War of 1899, the American colonial government intercepted the abaca trade from the Philippines and exported it from the Philippines to America for military use. But due to the needs of the industry, many products made in Manila are created using inexpensive wood pulp.
why is it called about manila?
then why is it called about manila? today manila is just a term for the yellowish-brown texture of the abaca plant. In other words, “envelopes made from unbleached brown paper, used to save money, are described as manila envelopes.” in fact, the manila envelope is just an ode to the yellowish-brown texture of the abaca plant that was historically used by papermakers.
how to address a manila envelope
Manila envelopes are high-capacity carriers capable of holding mailing items as thick as magazines. they can be purchased in bulk in many different colors and sizes to accommodate various lengths of paper. businesses often use them for keys, cards, cash, and jewelry. for paper, the sizes are larger and typically range from small (6×9), medium (9×12), and large (10×13). Be careful to choose the correct size to avoid wrinkling the paper. standard size paper is 8 ½ x 11 inches.
Whether purchased at post offices or online, the manila envelope of your choice can be purchased with blank labels. if not, you can use a fine marker with no bleed to emphasize the words. labels or text should be placed vertically on the left side of the back of the envelope. make sure when you turn it label side down, it faces the opening. you can also write horizontally in the center of the envelope.
To find out how to address a manila envelope, write the return address in the upper left corner on three lines, beginning with the full name on the first line, the address on the second line, and the state, city and the postal code in the third. this is in case your mail does not reach the recipient and needs to be returned. Diagonally from the return address must be the full legal name and company or recipient information. Please clearly print the shipping address in the same way as the return address.
As a tip, remember to put all caps (ie st, ave, or rd) with no punctuation, spell your city name, and abbreviate your state name for better rendering. place a stamp in the upper right corner of the envelope when you are done.
how to send a manila envelope
Depending on weight, prices may vary. the weight of a 6×9 manila envelope can be up to one ounce without adding an additional seal. An envelope up to 3.5 ounces will require an additional stamp, in accordance with United States Postal Service package limitations.
Your envelope should have a rubber flap, a peel-and-seal opening, or a clasp. Seal it tightly and insert it into your mailbox, a USPS mailbox, or take it to your local post office. the packaging must not be “irregular” (lumpy), but flat and rectangular, with a weight not exceeding 13oz for the largest envelopes. the package price will increase, otherwise.
Fortunately, packs can be purchased for just over a dollar. And with that, you’ll remember how to send a manila envelope forever.