Tithe Envelopes 101: A Plain-Language Guide for Churches
What a tithe envelope is, what to print on it, how many to order, and when to order, explained without the printer jargon.
Tithe envelopes are one of those things nobody thinks about until the box is empty on a Saturday night. They look simple, and they are. But a few small decisions about what goes on the front, how many you order, and when you reorder make a real difference for your givers and for the team counting the offering on Monday morning.
This guide walks through the basics so you can order with confidence, whether this is your first box of envelopes or you are just taking over the job from someone else.
What a Tithe Envelope Actually Does
A tithe envelope has two jobs. First, it keeps a gift together and secure from the moment it leaves someone's hand until it is counted. Second, it tells your finance team who gave and where the gift should go, so the gift can be recorded correctly.
You will hear people call them tithe envelopes, offering envelopes, or giving envelopes. In most churches, those all mean the same thing: one envelope that handles tithes, offerings, and special gifts. If you see "tithe and offering envelopes" on a product page, that is the same item.
Because the envelope is how a gift gets matched to the right person and the right fund, the information printed on it matters more than the design. A beautiful envelope with no room to write a name creates more work for your counting team, not less.
The Two Main Types of Giving Envelopes
Before you design anything, decide which style fits how your church collects gifts.
Standard envelopes
The giver information is printed on the front, and a small gummed flap seals the back. Whatever someone writes stays visible, which makes standard envelopes quick to process. They are made for use inside the building: offering baskets, giving boxes, and seat-back pockets. This is the style most churches use week to week.
Remittance envelopes
A large flap folds over and covers the information written inside, so it stays private once sealed. That makes remittance envelopes a better fit when people write card numbers or other sensitive details, or when envelopes need to be mailed in by members who are traveling or homebound.
If your church mostly collects cash and checks during services, a standard envelope is usually all you need. Our Standard Tithe and Offering Envelopes are this style.
What to Print on the Front
You only have one side of a small envelope to work with, so every line should earn its spot. Here is what most churches include, roughly in order of importance.
1. Your church name and logo
Keep it small and at the top. It makes the envelope feel official and helps guests know it belongs to your church, not a ministry partner or outside event.
2. Giver information lines
At minimum: first and last name. Many churches add email, phone, or mailing address so the finance team can tell apart two people with the same name and keep giving records accurate.
3. Fund checkboxes
A short list like Tithe, Offering, Missions, and Building Fund, plus an "Other" line. This one detail lets a single envelope work for regular giving and special offerings all year.
4. Amount and payment method
A line for the amount, with checkboxes for cash or check and a spot for the check number. It gives your counting team a quick way to double-check what is inside.
5. A pointer to online giving
A short web address or a QR code for online giving helps people who do not carry cash or checks. It also keeps the envelope useful for families who give both ways.
6. A short verse or line of thanks
Optional, but a nice touch. A single verse such as 2 Corinthians 9:7 ("God loves a cheerful giver") reminds people why they give, without crowding the layout.
Design Tips That Make Envelopes Easier to Use
Leave room to write. The most common problem we see is lines that are too short. If a line is cramped, people squeeze their handwriting, and your counting team ends up guessing at names. Give the name and email lines the most space.
Use simple, readable fonts. A clean font at a comfortable size will always beat a decorative one on something this small. Save the script fonts for your Christmas invite cards.
Choose black ink or full color. Our envelopes print on the front, on 24# white wove paper, and you pick the ink when you order. Black ink is the economical choice for everyday Sunday giving. Full color makes an envelope feel special, which is a nice touch for Christmas, Easter, a building campaign or a church anniversary. Either way there is no bleed, so colors, photos and artwork should stay inside the safe area and not run off the edge. Bold, simple layouts with strong contrast stay easy to read and easy to write on.
Check your slot size. The standard 6.5" x 3.625" size fits most baskets, giving boxes, and seat-back pockets, but take thirty seconds to measure any slot on your giving box before you order.
If you would rather not design it yourself, you can start from one of our templates, upload your own artwork, or have our art team design it for you. Our Artwork Guidelines cover file setup if you are designing in-house.
How Many Envelopes Should You Order?
There is no magic number, but the math is simple. Count how many envelopes come in on a typical Sunday, then decide how many weeks you want an order to last. Our envelopes come in quantities of 500, 1,000, 2,500, and 5,000, starting at $135 for 500 in black ink.
| Envelopes used per Sunday | 500 lasts about | 1,000 lasts about | 2,500 lasts about |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 20 weeks | 40 weeks | About 2 years |
| 50 | 10 weeks | 20 weeks | About 1 year |
| 100 | 5 weeks | 10 weeks | About 6 months |
Plan a little extra for weeks with bigger crowds, like Easter, Christmas Eve, or a special missions offering. If your fund list or online giving address might change in the next year, a smaller order keeps you from sitting on boxes you can no longer use. If nothing is changing, a larger order usually costs less per envelope.
When to Order
Our standard turnaround is 5 business days, with 3-business-day and next-business-day options when you are in a pinch. Shipping time is on top of that. Still, the easiest approach is to reorder when you are down to about a month's worth, so you never have to rush.
A few times of year are worth planning ahead for:
Before Christmas. Many churches add a special Christmas offering, and December is the busiest month for church printing. If you want a separate envelope or a new fund checkbox, order in early November. Our Christmas Eve Planning Checklist covers the rest of your Christmas print timeline.
Before a campaign launch. If you are starting a building fund or missions push, have envelopes with that fund printed on them in hand before the first Sunday you talk about it.
When something changes. A new logo, a new giving website, or a new fund is the right time to update the design and place a fresh order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size are standard church offering envelopes?
The most common size is 6.5" x 3.625" when closed. It fits most offering baskets, giving boxes, seat-back pockets, and display stands. Measure the slot on your giving box before you order, just to be sure.
What is the difference between a standard envelope and a remittance envelope?
A standard envelope has the giver information printed on the front and a small gummed flap on the back, so anything written on it stays visible. A remittance envelope has a large flap that folds over and covers the giver information, which makes it better for card numbers or mailing.
How many tithe envelopes should our church order?
Count how many envelopes come in on a typical Sunday, then multiply by the number of weeks you want the order to last. If about 50 envelopes come in each week, 500 lasts about 10 weeks and 2,500 lasts close to a year.
Can the same envelope be used for tithes, offerings, and special gifts?
Yes. Add a short list of checkboxes on the front, such as Tithe, Offering, Missions, and Building Fund, with an Other line. One envelope can then handle regular giving and special offerings all year.
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