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Envelope and Note Crafts

How to Make an Envelope

Last Updated: November 30, 2023 Fact Checked

This article was co-authored by Amy Guerrero . Amy Guerrero is an Arts and Crafts Specialist and the Owner of Sunshine Craft Co., a crafting studio based in Phoenix, Arizona. Amy specializes in macrame, DIY crafting, and teaching fiber arts. She offers monthly in-person and online workshops along with having developed a range of DIY craft kits for at-home projects. Amy holds a BS in Industrial Design from Philadelphia University. She worked as a graphic designer before starting her own business. Sunshine Craft Co. is a creative hub that offers a wide range of workshops, tools, and resources for any craft project to inspire creativity and community engagement. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 5,215,119 times.

Homemade envelopes can add a personal touch to any card or letter. You can easily make an envelope at home using a few basic supplies.

Making a Pouch Envelope

Step 1 Get a paper that's about twice as large as your desired envelope size.

Making a Taped Envelope

Step 1 Lay a rectangular piece of paper down lengthwise (landscape-style).

At this point, the paper should still be lying lengthwise
The triangular point of the paper should still be facing left.

Making a Square Origami Envelope

Step 1 Get a square sheet of paper larger than your letter or card.

Community Q&A

Video . By using this service, some information may be shared with YouTube.

Using colored construction paper can add a fun flair to your homemade envelope, and it will also make the envelope opaque. Thanks Helpful 25 Not Helpful 14
Practice with a piece of scrap paper first. Thanks Helpful 25 Not Helpful 17
Scissors aren't compulsory for envelope making. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 11

Don't make your creases until you are sure that they are where you want them to be. Thanks Helpful 44 Not Helpful 13
Handle paper with caution, since paper cuts can hurt. Thanks Helpful 34 Not Helpful 27

Things You'll Need

Letter/A4 sized paper

↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FO7NOdcOrSs
↑ http://www.origami-instructions.com/origami-envelope.html
↑ https://www.teachkidsart.net/easy-envelopes-for-handmade-cards/

About This Article

To make your own envelope, you just need a rectangular piece of paper and some tape. First, fold your piece of paper in half lengthwise and unfold. Then, rotate the paper 90 degrees and fold the top right corner down to the center crease. Do the same thing with the top left corner. Now, fold the right edge of the paper in 1 inch (2.5 cm), then repeat with the left edge of the paper. Fold the bottom edge of the paper up to the bottom of the triangle at the top of the paper. Fold up your message so it fits inside the envelope, then stick it inside. Finally, fold the triangle down to close the envelope and tape the edges of the envelope shut. For other ways to make envelopes, including a square origami envelope, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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How to make an envelope in five simple steps

Personalise your post by sending cards and letters inside handmade envelopes

What do I need to make an envelope?

How to make an envelope in five easy stages.

Knowing how to make an envelope is a handy craft skill to have. It’s easy to take an envelope for granted until you can’t find one in the right size!

Envelopes are so versatile, especially if you’re a card maker or would like to get into paper crafting as it gives you the freedom to create cards in bespoke sizes and an envelope to match.

Making origami envelopes allows you to personalise your post; so whether you’re sending invitations , a letter, thank you note or gift card, it will give you the freedom to choose the colour, type of paper and embellishments.

Envelopes can be made from everyday tools and materials in your craft stash and once you’ve mastered the craft you’ll no longer need to rely on a shop-bought envelope again. They'll give your handmade cards for Christmas , Easter and Valentine's Day an extra special finish.

Best Card for Crafting

Coloured Paper Card A4 - 100 Sheet Pack, 230 gsm

Hawksbill Card + Craft A4 160 GSM White Card (Pack of 50 Sheets)

A4 Glitter Card -10 Colours, 160 gsm

Belle Vous 250gsm 60 Pack A4 Gold Cardstock

What type of paper is best for making an envelope.

Good news! You can make an envelope with any kind of paper but vary it so that it’s suitable for what you’re sending. If that's heavier than a greeting card, use paper with a greater weight.

The best paper to practice on is normal printer paper then once you’ve mastered the technique you can move on to colourful prints such as scrapbooking paper.

Paper The type of paper you use will vary according to what your envelope will be used for. Try ordinary A4 printer paper, patterned paper or scrapbooking paper .

A card, letter or postcard Decide what you’re sending before you make an envelope for it, as it will ensure you have the right size for what you need.

Glue stick Any basic glue stick will work on paper.

Stickers Choose colours and designs to match your paper.

Bone folder (optional )

This is a tool often used in bookbinding and cardmaking that allows you to make sharp creases when you fold paper. If you find it difficult making fold, or you have a lot of folding to do because you’re planning to make a lot of envelopes, a bone folder is worth investing in.

Papercraft Essentials: Patterned Paper

Floral Creative Paper Collection

CuttlePrintsUK Gardens & Birds Paper

Hunkydory Spring Selection

Re-wrapped Floral Wrapping Paper

Cambridge Imprint Assorted Paper Pack

A4 Glitter Pad: Pastel

Whaline Rainbow Pattern Paper

Vintage Style Shabby Chic Papers

Step 1 Position an A4 piece of paper so that it is portrait. If you’re using patterned paper, the pattern should be on the reverse. Place your card on the centre edge at the bottom of the paper.

hand placing a postcard on a sheet of paper

Step 2 Fold in both sides of the paper. This will create the flaps of the envelope. They will both overlap the card. You can use your hands to make the folds, or your bone folder if you have one.

Step 3 Fold your paper upwards with the card still inside the flaps. The card will now be hidden from view but the top section of your paper will be seen.

tow hands folding paper to make an envelope

Step 4 Fold the top down by bringing in both corners. This will create two triangles that meet in the centre. Their bottom edges should touch the top of the folded paper.

two hands folding down paper to make an envelope

Step 5 Glue the top triangles down so they lay flat. Open up both sides of your envelope and then glue these down so that your envelope is now secure with your card inside.

You can now easily remove your card in and out of your envelope. When you’re ready to send your card or letter, glue the envelope closed and add a sticker to brighten it up.

TIP : This envelope-making tutorial uses an ordinary A6 size postcard and an A4 sheet of paper. This is a great size to practice with before you adjust paper sizes to your requirements.

Now you’ve mastered the art of making an envelope it’s time to put it to the test. Next time you’re sending a handmade card , make an envelope to match. The recipient will be impressed by the thought and effort you’ve put into your creation when seeing how the two complement each other, while you'll feel proud that you’ve learnt and shared a new papercraft skill.

Do you make your own cards? Share them with us by tagging @primamag in your pictures on Instagram!

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How to Make an Easy Origami Envelope

Paper Kawaii

Total Time: 15 mins
Skill Level: Beginner

This quick origami envelope is a great model to learn. You don't need any glue because the folding itself will keep the envelope secure, although you can use a bit of glue if you wish. Any time you don't have an envelope handy, you can make one with this technique.

You can use any kind of paper to make an envelope. If you need an envelope for a birthday card, it can be the same wrapping paper you use to wrap the gift. Also think about using any kind of colored, patterned, or scrapbooking paper. Even simple printer paper or a brown paper bag will do.

Watch Now: How to Make an Origami Envelope

What you'll need.

1 Square piece of paper

Instructions

Begin to fold.

If your paper has only one colored or printed side, decide if you want it on the inside or the outside of the envelope. If you're sending it in the mail, you may want to opt for the plain side to be outside, using the patterned side to add a pop of color when the recipient opens up the envelope. To have the colorful side facing out, start with the white (or plain) side up; start with the colorful side up if you want the outside to be plain.

Take the right corner over to the left corner and make a small pinch in the very center.
Now take the bottom corner up to the top and make another small pinch in the center. This gives you an X mark.
Fold the left and right corners to meet the center of the X.

Continue to Fold

Bring the top corner to the center and make a light mark in the middle. You now have a crease mark.
Fold the bottom corner up to the crease mark, keeping the left and right edges straight.
Unfold your paper.

Fold the Flaps

Fold the right edge of the bottom section inwards, aligning with the crease you just made, and unfold.
Fold the left side in the same way and unfold.
Fold the bottom corner up to the crease that is indicated.
Re-fold the lower right section. Take note of the X that is on the lower central flap underneath. The top right point of the X aligns with the top left corner of the flap on top.

Make the Mountain Folds

Open out the lower section, make a new mountain fold from the central flap, fold the right section underneath the central flap.
The photos show how to make the mountain fold and the results.
Do the same on the left side.

Complete the Folds

Re-fold the lower section back up.
Insert the left and right flaps inside the central section that is now on the inside.
You could use a dab of glue on the flaps to keep them secure.
Fold the top down.

Your origami envelope is complete and ready to use. Fill it with your card , note, money, or anything else that fits.

How to Make an Envelope Origami Fold from a Sheet of Paper

Learn how to make an envelope from a sheet of paper. It's really easy!

Why would I want to make one when I can just buy one?

Because normal envelopes are boring and handmade ones are awesome. When you make your own envelope, you can make it in whatever color or pattern you want. You could use Christmas paper to make a Christmas-patterned one for a Christmas card, for instance.

I made the red envelope on this page for my friend's baby's "moon party", which is a Chinese celebration for when a baby turns one month old. It's traditional to give a gift of money in red envelope. I didn't have any red ones, but I did have some red paper, so knowing how to make an envelope was really handy :-)

Well, maybe you've run out of envelopes and just don't feel like going to the store. Anyway, stop asking questions and let's get on learning how to fold an envelope shall we?

Can I post an envelope like this in the mail?

I can't guarantee anything, but I've posted these in the mail several times and they've always arrived at their destination.

How to Make an Envelope - Step by Step

I've got a greeting card (left) and I'm going to make an envelope for it from a sheet of paper (right). The sheet of paper should be slightly wider than the card, and about 2.5 times as tall. I'm using plain red paper here, but you can use scrapbooking paper or wrapping paper to make really colorful envelopes.

Place the card at the bottom-center of the sheet of paper, then fold in the sides of the paper so that they cover the edges of the card.

Fold up the paper (with the card still inside it) along the top edge of the card.

Fold down the two top corners. Make it so that they almost reach down to the edge of the bit you folded up in the last step, but not quite.

Fold down the top flap to close.

Use glue or a sticker to hold the flap down. If you're going to post your envelope in the mail, then it's worth gluing or taping the sides shut too just to make really sure that your card is extra secure.

Here's what it looks like from the front side. I've drawn on the Chinese symbol for good luck!

How did your envelope turn out? I hope you found my instructions clear. If you have any comments or questions or just want to say high, you can contact me with this handy form .

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Kendra John Designs

DIY Paper Envelope

By Kendra 28 Comments This content may contain affiliate links.

Inside: Step by step instructions for a DIY Paper envelope and how to make it cute with washi tape!

Propped up on my keyboard was a pink envelope, edged in flowered washi tape and covered in hand-drawn hearts. This was no ordinary love note. This was a one-of-kind special from my four-year-old.

My daughter LOVES to draw me little notes with stick figures and backward letters and deliver them to me in a, sometimes slightly crooked, envelope.

She makes those envelopes herself, out of plain old copy paper or construction paper. I taught her how to make quick and easy envelopes, and I can show you too. If a four-year-old can do it, so can you!

What You’ll Need:

A piece of paper. I will use an 8.5″ x 11″ paper in the demo below. But you can experiment with other sizes!
Tape – I used Washi Tape. It’s something we always have on hand and it adds personality to your handmade envelope. We’ve collected Washi Tape from all sorts of stores. Amazon has some fun variety packs!

How To Fold A Paper Envelope:

1. Fold your bottom right corner up until the whole bottom side of the paper is flush with the left side.

2. Trim off the top rectangle piece and open up your paper.

3. Take the bottom left-hand corner and bring it to the top right-hand corner making a triangle. Don’t completely crease the paper! Just make a small crease at the bottom of the triangle. You will use the small crease mark as a guide instead of making a big ugly crease all the way across.

4. Orient your paper so the corner that DOES NOT have a crease is at the top. Now fold the other 3 corners to the center.

5. Fold the bottom half of the envelope up in half. Fold your top flap down.

Ta – da! Now you have an envelope! Easy right?

Next cut washi tape stripes the same size as the sides of the envelope.

Place the washi strips half on the envelope edges, then fold the other half around to the other side.

This makes a nice edge while also holding the envelope together.

Another Option for Making Envelopes

You will love this Envelope Punch Board from Amazon! This makes folding envelopes of all sizes incredibly easy! And, you don’t have to cut anything!

Make an envelope in mere seconds – with a few scores, folds and punches create designer envelopes from cardstock, vellum or patterned paper in seconds
No cutting required – just punch and score. Easy!!

What are you waiting for? Go make a paper envelope for that birthday card or make a batch of love notes for your family! You don’t want to be outdone by a 4-year-old, do you?

Check out 15 ways to DIY beautiful tissue paper flowers !

About Kendra

I'm Kendra! I am a graphic designer. I blog about my work, share free printables, graphics, and tips for design with you! Thanks for reading!

04/17/2014 at 5:26 am

Thank you for this tutorial. Making an envelope looks pretty easy and I love the washi tape. Kathi

04/17/2014 at 8:56 am

Your welcome! It is super easy and fun! :)

04/19/2014 at 12:58 am

These are adorable. I’m always looking for fancy envelopes, and these are so easy!

04/22/2014 at 8:10 pm

Oh my goodness! SUCH a cute idea! I love it!

04/22/2014 at 8:36 pm

04/24/2014 at 7:05 pm

Too darn cute. I love that you can make these at home and to reflect your personal taste instead of buying the old boring envelopes!

I’d love it if you could hop on over to Tell it To Me Tuesday and link up your posts with us! http://www.sweetsillysara.com/2014/04/tell-me-about-it-tuesday_21.html

04/24/2014 at 8:34 pm

05/02/2014 at 8:47 pm

Great idea and so cute!

05/02/2014 at 10:30 pm

Thanks Steph! :)

07/21/2014 at 5:48 am

That’s so cute….I found a cute gift idea with envelopes.I definitely cannot go hunting for those boring and serious-looking envelopes {plus they’re costly too nowadays!!!} ….And I’ll never ever even think of stealing my parent’s envelopes….So, I found your idea through Pinterest….Thanks very much Kendra!!!

08/31/2014 at 4:35 pm

I love this. Thanks for sharing. The possibilities are endless…

10/28/2014 at 4:18 pm

This was just so simple that even I could do it. I grabbed a piece of paper, just to do it right then, and within 5 minutes I had an envelope. It was GREAT! Perfect PIN for my Swap-Bot friends to use too. Thanks! I’m so excited to have another easy envelope to create.

10/19/2018 at 8:02 am

This is adorbs!! My 12 year old daughter is into letter writing and she will LOVE this! She never has the right sized envelope! I need to stock an entire stationery store around here, lol.

10/19/2018 at 10:00 am

Thanks Ksenia!!! :)

09/02/2022 at 10:49 am

Thank you! That was the easiest envelope to make!

10/07/2022 at 7:40 am

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