Making Your Own Envelopes

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Ranked #64 in DIY, #869 overall

Among paper crafters, making cards is very popular, but how often do we make our own envelopes to go with them?  Not only is making envelopes easy to do, but it's inexpensive as well, requiring only a few basic supplies.  Here are some resources to get you started making your own envelopes!

General Information 

General information and how-to details about envelopes and envelope-making.
USPS: Mail Shapes & Dimensions
Size guidelines for mailing envelopes via USPS.
Wikipedia: Envelope
A history of the envelope, postal requirements, and other details.
Wikipedia: Envelope size
Quick information about common envelope sizes and their dimensions.
Envelope Size Chart
Drawings and dimensions of common envelope types and their sizes.
Envelope Styles & Sizes
A well-written and informative guide to envelope construction and details.
Envelope Template Kit Video (Paper Source)
Purchase the basic supplies from Paper Source, including their own envelope template kit, and watch a video to see how to use the kit.
Envelope Liner Kit Video (Paper Source)
Purchase the basic supplies from Paper Source, including their own envelope liner template kit, and watch a video to see how to use the kit.
Lining Envelopes (Martha Stewart)
How to line your envelopes using decorative scrap paper.
Envelope & Letter Folding
An extensive resource providing a variety of envelope styles and other mailpiece information.
Making Envelope Glue
Use simple household items to make your own envelope glue for the flap seal.
Paperfusing (Draggin' Ink)
Tips on how to make thin papers sturdy enough for mailing as envelopes.

Envelope Templates 

Print these on cardstock to make your own envelopes again and again.
Stampington & Company - Tempting Templates
Templates of booklets, boxes, and other paper projects.
Envelope Template
A sketched image of two envelope templates.
Paperworks Printable Project Sheets
Neat project ideas and printable templates (PDF format).
Mirkwood Designs - Templates
More than 50 templates for envelopes, cards, and other items.
Red Castle - Envelope Printing Software (Freeware)
Adjust the size envelope you want and print a page of them!
Amish Letter Fold Envelope Template ($)
Instructions provided free, must buy template
Small Envelope Template
A simple rectangular envelope template.
Envelope Pattern for Ivy's Print Cards
A basic rectangular template with instructions included.
E. M. Papers Envelope Templates
Simple templates for A2 and A6 size cards or other correspondence.

Printables 

Just print, cut, fold, and glue. No template needed!
Canon Greetings - Envelopes
A lovely variety of printable envelopes (with matching stationery) to choose from.
Sanwa Supply Paper Museum
This Japanese paper company offers lots of printable goodies, including envelopes, cards, and other paper crafts.
Seed Envelopes
Floral and other designs of seed templates, usable as small envelopes.

Project Ideas, Instructions 

Creative project ideas involving envelopes.
Add-On Envelope Books (Martha Stewart)
Link envelopes together with a key ring, then store keepsakes inside.
Birthday Card Book (Martha Stewart)
Create a book for storing birthday cards by placing large envelopes in a binder.
Doily Envelopes (Martha Stewart)
Use paper doilies to make lovely, lacey envelopes.
Envelope Accordion Project (Paper Souce)
Clear, illustrated instructions on making a neat organizer/album with envelopes.
Envelope Books (Martha Stewart)
Bind envelopes together to make a book for storing keepsakes in.
Envelope Guestbook (Martha Stewart)
Attach envelopes to a guestbook page for guests to leave notes inside.
Envelope Sachets (Martha Stewart)
Inexpensive and easy-to-make sachets.
Inside-Out Security Envelopes (Design*Sponge)
Reuse those bill envelopes by turning them inside-out.
Keepsake Envelope Folders (Martha Stewart)
An easy-to-make accordion folder that uses envelopes and can store little keepsakes.
Kite-String Envelope (Martha Stewart)
Make a wall hanging or gift set by using envelopes and some ribbon or string.
Notebook with Envelope Pockets (Martha Stewart)
Add a pocket to a journal or notebook by attaching an envelope to the inside cover.
Paper Heart Wrappings (Martha Stewart)
Valentine-inspired greetings that fold up into tiny envelopes.
Pin-punch Envelope Sachets (Martha Stewart)
Punch pretty designs into envelopes using a pin, then fill with scented items to make sachets.

Shopping 

Envelope templates and related products for sale.
Paper Source Envelope Template Kit
Make your own Paper Source-style envelope templates at home.
Paper Source Envelope Liner Template Kit
Create decorative liners for your Paper Source-style envelopes.
Dick Blick - Deja-Views Envelope Pattern Templates
Sturdy blue plastic templates with lettering guides and a card pattern.
Hanko Designs - Square-velopes Templates
A set of varying sizes of square envelope templates, on its own or with lovely Japanese papers.
Green Sneakers
This company offers various envelope templates, envelope glue, and other crafty products.
Draggin' Ink
Geared towards rubber stampers/paper crafters, this site offers various templates as well as project ideas and other resources.
USPS Envelope Sizing Guide
If not available at your local post office, you can purchase a plastic template to make sure you can mail your envelopes via the USPS.
Fiskars ShapeCutter - Envelope-1 Template
Cutting tool system that includes several envelope templates with scoring guides.
Fiskars ShapeCutter - Envelope-2 Template
Cutting tool system that includes several envelope templates with scoring guides.
Hot Off the Press - Envelope Templates
This template comes with a larger envelope shape and a mini one inside, with scoring lines for both.
Hot Off the Press - Mini Envelopes #1 Template
Lots of miniature envelope shapes in one template.
Hot Off the Press - Mini Envelopes #2 Template
Even more miniature envelopes, including some open-ended ones.
Hot Off the Press - Mini Envelopes #3 Template
Yet another template of several miniature envelopes.

Envelope Templates on Amazon 

Coluzzle Envelope/Card/Tag Template

Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Coluzzle Nested Shape Template-Square Envelope

Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Coluzzle Mini Envelopes Template Packaged

Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Envelope Books on Amazon 

Creative Correspondence

Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

The Handcrafted Letter

Amazon Price: $11.96 (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Mail It (Agile Rabbit Editions S.)

Amazon Price: (as of 11/16/2009) Buy Now

Other Envelope Books 

Hot Off the Press - Vellum Envelopes & Pockets
A book of over 50 projects you simply cut out and glue, plus embellishments.
Hot Off the Press - Vellum Envelopes #2 Cut-Outs
A second book featuring envelope projects you simply cut and glue.

Envelope Templates on eBay 

Here are the latest eBay auctions for envelope templates of all kinds.

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Reader Feedback 

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  • Reply
    Belinha Belinha Mar 21, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
    Amazing list of nformation.I also like all kinds of paper crafts.I just mademy first lens.But I find it a bit difficult because my english is not very good,I'm portuguese!:)
  • Reply
    henzy henzy Jan 24, 2009 @ 5:29 pm
    cool lens, full of great ideas.
  • Reply
    foovay foovay Dec 16, 2008 @ 11:20 pm
    Excellent lens! Someone just sent me an ATC in a homemade envelope, and I think I enjoyed the envelope as much as the card! I was looking for more info on making them and this is perfect. I wonder if you'd like to join my new group and list your lens in the "other artsy and crafty lenses" plexo? http://www.squidoo.com/groups/coloring_pages_books
  • Reply
    JenniferAkers JenniferAkers Nov 17, 2008 @ 6:17 am
    I found your lens on a google search; I needed a quick envelope. I found an easy template, and I favorited to come back and try the artistic ones! Great resources!
  • Reply
    seedplanter seedplanter Oct 5, 2008 @ 4:24 pm
    Valerie, I consider myself artistic (photography), but not "craftsy"...but this lens really reached out and grabbed me. I love receiving homemade cards, and its the envelopes that always fascinate me. Thanks for pulling all these great resources together. You're officially faved 5 *****'s. Super lens!
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by valerief

I am very interested in art, design, and crafts.  I've been focusing mostly on paper crafts, digital arts, and web design, but I like to try out...

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