A4 and C4 Envelope Mockups
How to choose an A4 or C4 envelope mockup: matching sizes, PSD editability, vector logo placement and the licence terms to check before commercial use.
Contents
The short answer
If you want to preview a logo on a large envelope that holds an unfolded A4 sheet, the mockup you need is a C4 envelope mockup. "A4 envelope" is a common shop label, but no standard envelope is called A4. A4 is a paper size of 210 × 297 mm. In the ISO 269 envelope series, the C4 envelope (229 × 324 mm) is the size made to hold an A4 sheet flat. Search results for "A4 envelope mockup" and "C4 envelope mockup" therefore usually show the same kind of product. Check the stated dimensions instead of relying on the name.
The answer depends on two things. The first is where the mail will be used. For US letterhead on 8.5 × 11 inch Letter paper, the matching envelopes are usually catalog sizes such as 9 × 12 or 10 × 13 inches, not C4. Those proportions are different from C4, so a C4 mockup will not show placement and scale accurately for a US mailing. The second is what you need the file to do. A mockup is a presentation image. It shows how a logo might look. It is not print-ready envelope artwork.
Match the mockup to the envelope you will actually use
| Item | Standard size | Notes |
| A4 paper | 210 × 297 mm | Sheet size, not an envelope |
| C4 envelope | 229 × 324 mm | Holds A4 unfolded (ISO 269) |
| US Letter paper | 8.5 × 11 in | Common US letterhead size |
| US catalog envelopes | e.g. 9 × 12 in, 10 × 13 in | Common choices for unfolded Letter sheets |
Proportions matter because logo placement is usually judged relative to the envelope edges and the flap. If the mockup's aspect ratio differs from your real envelope, a layout that looks balanced in the preview may look crowded or off-center in print. When a listing gives no dimensions, measure the ratio of the envelope face in the image, or treat the mockup as a rough illustration only.
What to check in a PSD envelope mockup
- Smart object layers: the design area should be a smart object, so you can replace the placeholder without rebuilding the perspective or warp.
- Vector placement: Photoshop can place AI, EPS or PDF artwork as a vector smart object. Your logo then stays sharp when scaled inside the mockup, even though the final rendered preview is a raster image.
- Separate surfaces: check whether the front, back and flap have their own editable layers. Many envelope designs put the logo on the front and the return details on the flap.
- Adjustable background and shadows: separate layers let you change the backdrop and lighting without masking by hand.
- Envelope colour control: a recolourable paper layer lets you preview coloured or kraft stock instead of white only.
- Resolution and canvas size: the document should be large enough for the place you will show it, such as a client presentation, a portfolio or a product page.
- Software requirements: a PSD may depend on features of a particular Photoshop version. Other editors may open the file but drop smart object behaviour.
Free downloads: check the licence before you use one
"Free" usually means there is no download fee. It does not mean the file is free to use for anything. Before you use a free A4 or C4 envelope mockup in client work or on a commercial site, read the licence attached to that specific file. No licence terms for any particular mockup were supplied for this guide, so the points below are questions to answer, not conclusions about any product.
- Is commercial use allowed, or only personal use?
- Is attribution to the creator required, and in what form?
- Can the rendered preview images be used in client deliverables, marketplaces or advertising?
- Is redistributing or reselling the PSD itself prohibited? This is common, and it matters if you plan to pass the editable file to a client.
- Do the terms cover the bundled photographic elements, textures or fonts, or do some of those carry separate terms?
- Is the licence stated clearly with the download? If you cannot find it, treat the rights as unconfirmed.
Keep the mockup separate from the print files
A finished mockup is usually exported as JPG or PNG, which are raster preview assets. The editable source is the PSD. The logo itself should remain in its own vector master file, such as AI, EPS, PDF or SVG. For printing envelopes, the printer will normally need the vector logo and a dieline or template for the exact envelope size, not the mockup. If a design service delivers only mockup images, ask for the vector logo files and editable sources separately.
Evidence gaps
No specific mockup products, prices, file specifications or licence documents were available for this guide. It does not compare or recommend individual downloads. The sizes listed are standard reference dimensions. Confirm the exact dimensions of the envelope you plan to print with your supplier, because individual products can vary.