What are RBD expansion envelopes?

RBD expanding envelopes are envelopes intended for shipping thicker documents and flat products. Their most important feature is an expandable bottom or side, which allows you to place a larger number of sheets of paper, a catalog, a thin book, a brochure or a set of advertising materials inside.

In an ordinary flat envelope, the contents quickly begin to stretch the paper, fold the corners, or push up the edges. An expanded envelope provides more space, so the shipment looks neater and is less exposed to damage during insertion, sealing and transport.

If you are looking for packaging for documents, catalogs and paper materials, the category is a good place to start expandable envelopes. It's also worth comparing them with the category envelopesto select the type of packaging for a specific shipment.

What are expanded envelopes for?

Expanded envelopes are primarily used for shipping materials that are flat but thicker than a single letter. Most often, these are company documents, catalogues, price lists, offer folders, advertising folders, brochures, books, manuals, training materials, contracts, technical documentation or sets of papers.

They are also effective when a shipment should look more professional than a package wrapped in a plastic bag. An expandable envelope gives the impression of organized corporate correspondence. It is a good choice for sending business offers, client materials, accounting documents, tender documentation, or marketing materials.

In many companies, expandable envelopes are used daily because they allow documents to be quickly prepared for shipping without folding a box or using additional accessories. With a larger number of shipments, this saves time and organizes the packing process.

When should you choose an RBD expanded envelope?

The RBD expandable envelope is worth choosing when the contents are too thick for a regular envelope but still do not require a box. This is particularly important for paper products that should reach the recipient without creases, folds, or unsightly edge damage.

This is a good choice when you send several documents at once, a product catalog, an advertising folder, a book, a brochure or an offer in a folder. An expanded envelope allows for a more elegant appearance of the shipment and reduces the risk of the contents being damaged by packaging that is too tight.

What can be sent in expanded envelopes?

RBD expansion envelopes are particularly useful for companies that ship larger volumes of paper materials. They can be used to pack both commercial documents and products sold online.

• Catalogs and price lists – especially when the client is to receive materials in an aesthetic form.
• Brochures and advertising folders – for marketing and offer mailings.
• Company documents – contracts, commercial documentation, accounting documents, tender documents.
• Books and notebooks – for flat products that do not require cardboard.
• Manuals and technical documentation – when there are more than a few pages of documents.
• Offer folders – when the professional appearance of the shipment is important.
• Samples of papers or advertising materials – if they have a flat shape and larger volume.

Expanded envelope, foil wrap or cardboard box?

The choice between an expanded envelope, polybag and carton depends on the type of product. The expandable envelope is best for documents and flat, thicker products. Foil packaging is perfect for soft products that are resistant to pressure and require protection against moisture. Cardboard will be better for products that are fragile, heavier, bulky or require stable immobilization.

If you are sending a catalogue, offer, documents or a thin book, an envelope will look more professional than a foil envelope. If you ship clothing, textiles or soft goods, it may be better courier poly mailer is often sufficient. If the product may be damaged by pressure, it is worth choosing cardboard and additional filling.

For small products requiring cushioning, they may also be a good solution bubble mailers.. The expandable envelope does not have bubble wrap, so its main function is to pack thicker, flat contents in an orderly manner, not to absorb impacts.

How to choose the size of the expanding envelope?

The size of the expanding envelope should be matched to the size and thickness of the contents. First, measure your document, catalogue, book or folder. Then add a small allowance so that the contents enter freely and do not strain the edges of the envelope.

Do not choose a 'close-to-fit' envelope. If the catalog barely fits inside, the envelope may tear, bend the corners of the documents or look unsightly. On the other hand, an envelope that is too large is also not the best, because the contents may move inside and the shipment will take up more space.

For documents and catalogues, the method of closure is also important. Before sealing, make sure the envelope is not overstuffed and that the closing flap fits snugly. If the envelope bulges too much, a larger format or cardboard may be a better choice.

Table: use of RBD expansion envelopes

The most common mistakes when choosing a flared envelope

The first mistake is choosing an envelope that is too small. If you have to force the contents in, the corners of the documents may curl and the envelope may come apart or tear during shipping.

The second mistake is treating an expandable envelope like a box. An RBD envelope works well for flat materials, but does not replace a box for fragile, heavy, or bulky products.

The third mistake is not securing the contents when sending delicate materials. If you are sending important documents, a premium catalog, or a thin book, it is worth ensuring that the contents do not move inside.

The fourth mistake is choosing a poly mailer instead of an expandable envelope for offer documents. A poly mailer is practical, but for commercial materials, an expandable envelope often looks more elegant and professional.

Which expandable envelopes should you choose for the company?

Companies that regularly send documents and commercial materials should have at least one basic size of expandable envelopes. If you mainly send documents and thin catalogs, choose a size suited to the most commonly used paper. If you send folders, thicker catalogs, or several sets of documents, choose a larger variant.

For offices, printing houses, advertising agencies, and sales departments, RBD expandable envelopes can be a permanent part of the equipment. They facilitate the quick preparation of shipments, improve the appearance of correspondence, and reduce the risk of document damage during packing.

In online stores, expandable envelopes can be used for books, catalogs, notebooks, documents, and paper materials. If the product is soft, a plastic envelope is better. If it requires cushioning, consider bubble mailers. If it requires rigid protection, choose cardboard.

FAQ – questions about RBD expanded envelopes