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security envelopes

Does your business use a custom security envelope pattern?

custom security envelope pattern

Do you work for a business that creates their own custom security envelope pattern? Or maybe you know someone who does?

I collect security envelope patterns. I’ve had the help of many incredible people. Some of those people I know personally and some I have never met. It’s all very overwhelming when I think of the support I have received.

Most of these patterns are patterns and shapes. Some of the most common patterns are confetti, linen, burlap, lines, crosshatch and so forth.

A smaller portion of the collection is unique patterns made by businesses such as Chase, ADP, Citibank who make branded a custom security envelope pattern. Here is a list of companies who are represented in the security envelope pattern collection. Some companies have many unique patterns that they have used over the years. One unique pattern is cool, more then that… well that is just stylin’ in my book.

I’m almost certain that I’m missing a ton of companies still. Regional/local, local banks, utility companies in different states, companies that have gone out of business, companies that don’t send out mail to the public but still have their own security envelopes, B2B companies, Fortune 500 companies and so forth.

If you’d like your company to be added to this list and the Security Envelope Pattern Collection please contact me. If you are already on the list but want to make sure I have all the patterns that you do, contact me. If your business is no longer operating but you have older and more historical envelope patterns I’d love those as well.

2023 Security Envelope Collection totals (current as of 10/26/23)

CompanyPatterns
407 Express Toll Route1
ADP3
Allianz3
Ally Bank1
Altec1
American Express5
American Funds1
Ameriprise1
Banana Republic1
Bankcard Services1
Blue Shield of California1
Capital One4
CCB-T1
Chase1
Chicago Symphony Orchestra1
Citibank3
Con Edison1
Credit One Bank1
Davis Bancorp1
Discover4
FDIC: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation1
Fidelity Investments1
Fido1
First Hawaiian Bank1
First Primier Bank1
ForwardLine Financial1
franklintempleton3
Genworth Financial1
Hillsdale Collge1
Hudson’s Bay1
Hughes Net1
Huntington3
Ivy Funds2
Jewish United Fund of Metropolitan Chicago1
Kohl’s2
Lucent-Technologies-Bell-Labs-innovations1
Mackenzie1
Neiman Marcus2
Nordstrom3
Old Navy1
OneMain Financial1
Paralyzed Veterans of America1
Paychex2
Pharmacy2
Physicians Mutual Insurance Company1
Prudential Financial5
Safeco1
Sears/Kmart1
splendoress1
Staples1
State Farm1
Target3
TCF Bank1
The Salvation Army1
Topform Data Inc.1
Toronto Revenue Services1
Turner Vision1
United Freedom Benefits Department1
United Healthcare2
Vanguard3
Vista Print1
Waste Management1
Wells Fargo3
Wildeboer Dellelce LLP1

Ways to get in touch:
Instagram: @abstract_collage
Contact form: Contact

Categories
security envelopes

How Security Envelopes Are Made

Check out this incredible video by Tension Corporation. Over the years I have seen many envelope making videos, but this has to be the clearest and most descriptive video of the whole process, and it specifically mentions how security envelopes are made!

How Security Envelopes are Made

“With the expertise and equipment at Tension, it only takes about 20 seconds for an envelope to travel from the beginning to the end of the process.”

I first learned about Tension through Maynard Benjamin’s “The History of Envelopes 1840-1900.” I’ve looked into many of the companies mentioned in this book. Some of the companies are still in business an doing some incredible things.

The excess panel chips, the sections that are cutout for the window pane, could make for good artwork material. What do you think?

Here are different parts of the printing process mentioned.

  • Web converter
  • Web tower
  • Cross Cutter
  • Scoring
  • Gumming
  • Side-seam Folding
  • Creasing
  • Delivery spirals

Above all, the testing and verification of settings and performance through this printing process is remarkable.

To learn more about Tension Corporation, check out their website here. There is a lot of good information on their website, here is section on different Print Processes. To learn more about Security Envelope Patterns, check out this extensive page here.

Categories
art updates security envelopes

Security Envelope Collage Video – Bird’s-eye Video

I get asked all the time how I make my collages. The process is not too complex it is just a little unusual. Here is a security envelope collage video to help illustrate the process.

There is a physical component and a digital component. The computer is mainly used to manipulate the scale of the image. All the colors and patterns are not changed in the computer. Whenever you involve computers, especially nowadays, it can be difficult to distinguish between what is real and what is not.

This video shows the entire physical process of an envelope collage. I am hoping this provides some insight to those familiar with the Snail Mail Security series. Also maybe this will give some artists some ideas on making similar projects. Hope this helps and let me know if you have any questions.

https://youtu.be/Rd730AngpMg
Categories
security envelopes

Security Envelopes I am Currently Looking for (an incomplete list)

Updated July 7, 2017: One of the coolest of the cool security patterns sets on the internet is by Joseph King. This is a 160+ pattern collection on Flickr. So I went through this collection and selected all the patterns that I do not currently have. These are all featured below. Think of this as my personal vision board.

Updated 12/22/2017: I have gotten some very generous donations from the community and I am happy to “cross out” some of these envelopes from the wish list. List is now a little easier to read and grouped by color.

Updated 10/31/2018: Updated again, patterns that I have received have been removed from this list.

10/14/2019: New update, crossed off a few that I recently got.

4/7/2021: List updated again

If you recognize any of these patterns from your own personal or business mail… I want to hear from you!

Categories
security envelopes

Top 10 hand opened envelopes I have collected

I have begun to catalog the hundreds of envelopes in my collection. Here is a selection of the top 10 hand opened envelopes I have collected.

To make it into the top 10 list the pattern of course had to be great. This is not, however, a list of the top envelope patterns. The way the envelope was opened and how it was treated through the mail delivery system is also, if not more, important. Since I have received envelopes from many amazing friends and fans we can enjoy a wide variety of different opening techniques, mistakes, and frustrations, all taken out on the paper. Take notice that sometimes the glued flap comes completely off, sometimes partially, and sometimes barely at all.

Categories
security envelopes

Security Envelope Inspired Projects by Sweetie Pie Press

The Sweetie Pie Press has some sweet sweet security envelope inspired DIY projects. Looks like the creator, Becky Johnson has been making security envelope inspired art since at least 2008. That is so cool!

tired of feeling like installations are only for bank lobbies and boutique hotels? want some thing small for your walls that lives in three dimensions and exalts the mundane? want it to be relative easy?

…then the sweetie pie press do-it-yourself security envelope installation kit is for you!

Check out the DIY installation project here:
http://sweetiepiepress.bigcartel.com/product/diy-security-envelope-installation-kit-21-piece-triangle

I’m looking forward to meeting more people that have been inspired by security envelopes. The amazing patterns, the collectable nature, the subtlety. If you know of someone who’s work has been directly or indirectly influenced by security envelopes, please get in touch with me here: abstractcollage.com/contact/

Categories
security envelopes

Security Envelope Fashion Statement

The UglyKittyReDeux uses security envelopes in functional and fabulous jewelry! Security Envelope Fashion is a great idea. I’ve always known how much I like the security envelope patterns but I never considered being able to wear them as a necklace, ring, or earrings. Shop Owner Renee Lavinsky has figured out a way to offer these great patterns in a functional way. Here is one of her product descriptions:

A conversation-starting pendant necklace made with sterling silver, resin, and a recycled security envelope.

The oval pendant measures 1 (25 mm) inch by 0.75 (9 mm) inches and is about 1/8-inch (4 mm) thick and comes with an 18 inch sterling silver chain.

 

Categories
security envelopes

Recycled Security Envelope Project by Joey Ramone

Check out these Recycled Security Envelope Flowers made by Joey Ramone. He uses a traditional Japanese Kusudama flower technique using recycled envelopes. Very fun and what a wonderful combination!

I made these flowers using 2-inch paper squares (each flower needs five squares) cut from security envelopes (the sort which you tend to get bills and stuff in from companies, and it has a pattern printed on the inside, usually in blue or grey). I used this wonderful tutorial from Folding Trees: foldingtrees.com/2008/11/kusudama-tutorial-part-1/
They’re so easy to make and I think they’re really effective!

These Kusudama flowers would not qualify as origami because they are made with cuts and glue. Techniques using cuts and glue are categorized as kirigami which is an origami variation. Kirigami is made out of single piece of paper.

Recycled Security Envelope Assorted

These assorted flowers are displayed wonderfully. I like the paper that is they are featured on. The interior and exterior shadows on the flowers are also interesting. I wonder how they would look backlit?

Recycled Security Envelope Red

Do you notice that the flower pedals are two layers thick? Did you notice how there is a sliver of red pattern around the outsides of the pedals? Can you see through the white parts of the envelope to the subtle patterns beneath?

Bonus points for anyone who can find a picture of this original red envelope! I find this one very interesting because there was obviously some sort of advertising or instructions on the envelope. This text becomes completely illegible in the flower and adds a element of flair.