Security Envelope Patterns

What are Security Envelope Patterns?

Regular envelopes do not offer much protection when it comes to sending sensitive information. Aside from physically opening up the envelope, simply holding a regular envelope up to a light source can reveal its contents. That is where Security Envelope Patterns come in.

The role of these patterns is to run a sort of interference on the inside information. When held up to the light no useful information can be gained.

Security Envelope Patterns describes any pattern printed on the inside of envelopes. What is kind of mind boggling to me is just how many different patterns there are. If you think about it, five to ten patterns could have been created and that would have satisfied any security needs. There seems to be a lot more than ten patterns…

History of Security Envelope Patterns

A big technological leap forward was the invention of the windowed envelope by Americus Callahan in 1901. Prior to this, envelope paper was thick because addresses needed to be able to be written on it. The thicker paper was harder to see through.

After the windowed envelope, the thickness of envelope paper got thiner which resulted in the problem of being able to see sensitive information inside. Then, in 1903, Julius Regenstein of Transo Envelope Company invented the security tint.

Unfortunately there is not much else on the history of Security Envelope Patterns. Not much has been published and there is no Wikipedia page like there is for Stamp Collecting.

This is not to say there is not interest on the topic. I have met a lot of very passionate collectors of these patterns. There is incredible work by artists working with these patterns as a material in their art practice.

Some prior pattern collectors have moved on to other endeavors. I have reached out to industry experts and have not received much interest back. Maybe it’s a timing thing, I don’t know.

One thing that I will say is that every once in a while you’ll see a post on Reddit asking for more information on the history of these patterns. People are curious about it and fascinated by the topic just as I am. I believe one day, we’ll get more information on the topic.

To try to save some people some time about where to look for more information here is a list of sources that have given me the most information.

Further Reading

updated 8/2/2023

Books

Benjamin, Maynard. History of Envelopes 1840-1900. Envelope Manufacturers Association and EMA Foundation for Paper-Based Communications, 2002.

Articles / Posts

• “Envelope Manufacturers,” National Postal Museum.
• Pope, Nancy A.,”Envelopes in the Machine Age” Enroute, Volume 6, Issue 2, April–June 1997.
• Kernan, Michael, “Pushing the Envelope,” Smithsonian Magazine, October 1997.
• Dambrogio, Jane L., “Unfolding history,” MIT Technology Review, October 26, 2021.
• “Postal History and Philately Research Guide,” Smithsonian
• Envelope Statistics, EMA
  • The EMA Guide To Envelopes and Mailing, EMA
• Artists
  • Salomone, Andrew, “Security Envelopes Cut and Pastes Envelopes Into Otherworldly Office Space,” Vice
  • “Elizabeth Duffy Interviewed by Joy Garnett,” Evergreen Review
• Wikipedia articles
  • Philately
  • Envelope
  • Security Bag
  • Security paper
  • Window Envelope

Patents

• Callahan, Americus F. Envelop. U.S. Patent US8511701A, filed 1901-12-09, and issued 1902-06-10. https://patents.google.com/patent/US701839A
• Reese, George, Julius Regenstein. Paper for making envelops. U.S. Patent US18919204A, filed 1904-01-15, and issued 1904-08-09. https://patents.google.com/patent/US766902A

Security Envelope Collection (Digital)

Here you will find an ongoing collection of Security Envelope Patterns and a portion is digitized here. These patterns have caught my attention aesthetically and conceptually. I have created one of my largest bodies of work, Snail Mail Security, using security envelope patterns. Thanks to everyone who have helped by sending me their envelopes. The internet is an amazing place and I have discovered people who also greatly appreciate these security envelope patterns.

Security Envelope Pattern inspired Clothing and Stationary

Help support the collection by rocking an awesome security envelope pattern tshirt!

Security Envelope Collection (Physical Collection)

The real collection of patterns is the physical collection. Envelopes are individually sleeved and kept safe in 3-ring Binders. This web page, the digital images of the patterns, are put in place so other people can enjoy these wonderful patterns.

Security Envelope Collection Plans For The Future

How To Help (Individuals)

If you would like to help out with the collection I am always looking for new helpers! I am happy to reimburse for shipping costs.

If you’d like to know if a certain pattern you have would be a new addition to the collection you are welcome to email me a picture and I can let you know. Honestly though I find it much easier, especially if you have a lot of patterns, to just send me what you have. I can look through and do the organizing.

Above all, I want to share these patterns with you. So please enjoy!

How To Help (Businesses)

If any of the following apply, please feel free to reach out via the contact form or DM on Instagram @abstract_collage.

• Does your business send out or receive envelopes with security envelope patterns?
• Does your businesses designs custom security envelope pattern(s)? Would you like your designs included in the pattern collection?
• Has your business archived past envelope patterns? Is your business currently closed but have had a rich past in sending envelope patterns and documenting those?
• Are you currently involved in the security envelope pattern business and want to connect? Printers, Paper mills, Designers, etc…

Chronological History of This Collection

Funny enough, I am not entirely sure when the collection officially started. The reason for this is the collection started mostly by accident. I have narrowed it down to a year.

2006 – 1 Pattern

I started saving security envelopes. However, this started off very small with mostly ADP paycheck patterns. The reason for keeping these envelopes had nothing to do with art, aesthetics or anything of that nature. I only had the envelopes to keep thorough financial records.

One day though, I think I had 40-50 of these ADP envelopes spread out on a table. I was struck by how the volume of the pattern added a certain power to it. I suddenly saw the envelope patterns as a potential medium, just like  a tube of paint.

June 24, 2014 – 95 Patterns

There are 95 different patterns in the set. Most importantly, I have been receiving contributions from others. 

February 2, 2017 – 119 Patterns

119 different patterns in the set.

October 8th, 2017 -146 Patterns

There are 146 different security envelope patterns in the set. The largest set that I’m aware of is from Joseph King who has over 160. In other words, we are getting close to the largest collection that I know about.

January 3rd, 2018 – 182 Patterns

182 different security envelope patterns. So thrilled. Thanks to everyone for helping.

October 31, 2018 – 243 Patterns

Smashed through the 200 goal. There are 243 security envelope patterns in the set! Let’s keep it going!! In addition, I have been adding to my Pinterest board security envelope art. Go see how people around the world are using these amazing patterns in their art.

July 16th, 2019 – 283 Patterns 

283 Patterns in total now! It is getting harder and harder to update the collection with new patterns. I am currently looking for help from people living geographically further away from me. Especially outside of the United States, hoping to tap into different businesses and (hopefully) different envelope patterns. Thanks!

March 31st, 2021 – 500 Patterns

There are now 500 Patterns in the collection. I remember when the collection reached 180 patterns I honestly thought it had hit the ceiling and would plateau. I was wrong. Through the Pandemic I have had real time to work on the collection, organize it and clean it up. I have individually sleeved the patterns and put them in 3-ring binders.

April 21st, 2023 – 870 Patterns

There are now 870 patterns in the collection. Had some huge donations to the security envelope pattern collection recently. Thanks to all the recent and past help here, there is no way I could have accumulated all of these wonderful patterns by what comes through my own personal mailbox.

Always looking for new helpers. Still looking for helpers outside of the US. I know that this creates some barriers with shipping and customs and all that but please let me cover the shipping.

Also looking help from people that work for companies that print their own custom security envelope patterns. All of the patterns I have gotten are ones that are through the mail and usually to customers. But internal company mailings and business to business is not something that is represented yet in the collection. I need your help!

Do you work for a fortune 500 company? I’d love for your company patterns to be included in the collection. If you are unsure whether your company is already included, reach out and I can give you an up to date list of all companies.

Marketing Materials For Your Business

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More Information

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• Security Envelope Grid T-Shirt