Buyers Guides

Board backed envelopes offer the ultimate protection solution when sending important documents through the postal system, for example many examining bodies would send out qualification certificates using a board backed envelope as would businesses when sending contracts of employment and supply contracts. Another common use for the board backed envelope would be for the safe sending of photographs and other important printed matter that needed to arrive at it's destination in perfect condition.

The Board backed envelopeis purpose built for protecting documents during transit, the envelopeis typically produced using heavy duty manilla board to provide therigid support at the rear of the envelope and therefore offeringexceptionally strong protection to any contents.

Boardbacked envelopes are available in standard sized C4 boardbacked envelopes (324x229mm) which can comfortably hold an unfolded A4 document within the envelope interior allowing for the contents to be safely transported. They are all available with a peel & seal adhesive strip allowing for a quick and secure envelope seal.


A widely used size for rigid boardbacked envelopes is C3 boardbacked envelopes (324x457mm), this envelope size is designed for use with the larger A3 sized sheets and will again allow for an A3 document to be safely inserted unfolded into the envelope.

Boardbacked envelopes are also available in a good selection of alternative sizes including the following in mm 444x368, 350x248, 318x267, 394x318, 240x165, 190x140 & 241x178 

Boardbacked envelopes are typically produced using stronger weighted materials for increased durability and strength with the majority of these products now manufactured in heavy duty manilla or white as 125gsm boardbacked envelopes,  with easy use peel and seal adhesive, these envelopes are great for added security.

Other available boardbacked envelope paper weights from this product group include 90gsm boardbacked envelopes, 115gsm board backed envelopes and 130gsm board backed envelopes

There are four major manufacturers of Boardbacked envelopes featured in this category and they include the premium producers including New Guardian, Plus Fabric & Basildon Bond, with our non-branded but equally as well produced range from 5 Star.

New Guardian

New Guardian boardbacked envelopes are exceptionally strong and are manufactured combining  both style and strength with all materials produced using EU Eco-label accredited paper that is better for the environment meaning

• Reduced emissions to air & water during production.
• Limited energy usage during manufacture.
• Only recycled and virgin fibres from sustainably managed forests.

Plus Fabric

Plus Fabric prestige envelopes are produced as both the C4 Plus Fabric Boardbacked envelopes and 241x178mm sizes and are available in packs of 125 envelopes and are produced in 125gsm paper.

Plus Fabric boardbacked envelopes are also produced using EU Eco - label materials (as above)

Basildon Bond

Basildon Bond boardbacked envelopes are a brand that is well known for producing high quality envelope products, produced from 100% recycled materials we stock the C4 90gsm boardbacked manilla range.  

5 Star

5 Star are a quality budget brand that never fails to produce high end products and low price tags, the 5 Star range of boardbacked envelopes offers a good range of sizes including 5 Star C4 Boardbacked Envelopes, 444x368 envelopes , 241x178, 240x165 & 350x248 .

These rigid envelopes provide excellent support and protection to important documents and feature a peal & seal closure adhesive.