by 45 people |
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
- 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.
- Lined Envelope (DIY Network - DIY Crafts)
- Detailed instructions and photos on lining envelopes.
- 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
- 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.
- Templates for Windows Draw
- Envelopes, cards, and more. Windows Draw required.
Printables
- 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
- Accordion Books (DIY Network - Carol Duvall Show)
- Lovely accordion style books, including one made entirely from envelopes
- Add-On Envelope Books (Martha Stewart)
- Link envelopes together with a key ring, then store keepsakes inside.
- Envelope Accordion Project (Paper Souce)
- Clear, illustrated instructions on making a neat organizer/album with envelopes.
- Envelope Album Project (DIY Network - Scrapbooking)
- Make a photo/postcard album out of envelopes. Includes templates.
- Envelope Book/Card (DIY Network - Carol Duvall Show)
- Create a lovely book with envelopes as pages.
- Envelope Gift Bag (DIY Network - Carol Duvall Show)
- Create a colorful gift bag using any size envelope.
- Envelope Guestbook (Martha Stewart)
- Attach envelopes to a guestbook page for guests to leave notes inside.
- Envelope Scrapbook (DIY Network - Scrapbooking)
- Make a quick and easy scrapbook using envelopes.
- Envelope Sachets (Martha Stewart)
- Inexpensive and easy-to-make sachets.
- Freezer Paper Notecards (DIY Network - Carol Duvall Show)
- Create envelopes from tissue paper and freezer paper.
- Keepsake Envelope Folders (Martha Stewart)
- An easy-to-make accordion folder that uses envelopes and can store little keepsakes.
- Love Letter Box (DIY Network - Carol Duvall Show)
- Create a "lovely" box out of envelopes, foam board, and other materials.
- Paper Heart Wrappings (Martha Stewart)
- Valentine-inspired greetings that fold up into tiny envelopes.
- Pin-punch Envelope Sachets
- Punch pretty designs into envelopes using a pin, then fill with scented items to make sachets.
- Shoebox: Envelope Linings (DIY Network - Carol Duvall Show)
- Reuse the linings from envelopes to make beautiful patterned cards.
- Vintage Envelopes (DIY Network - DIY Crafts)
- These vintage-look envelopes make a great display.
Shopping
- Coluzzle Envelope/Card/Tag Template
- The original envelope and card template, and one of my favorites!
- Coluzzle Square Envelope Template
- Varying sizes of square envelopes and a square card all in one template.
- Coluzzle Mini Envelope Template
- A template of various small envelopes and matching cards.
- 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.
- Anna Griffin Template Set
- These templates are somewhat thin, but provide some nice variety for making your own envelopes, cards, and liners.
- 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
- 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 Books on Amazon
The Envelope Mill: Recycle Magazines into Beautifully Crafted Envelopes/Book and Templates
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009) 
Creative Correspondence
Amazon Price: (as of 07/13/2009)
The Handcrafted Letter
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 07/13/2009)
Mail It (Agile Rabbit Editions S.)
Amazon Price: $13.59 (as of 07/13/2009)
Fantastic Folders and Exceptional Envelopes: A Designer's Guide to Custom Carriers That Open Conversations and Seal Deals
Amazon Price: $19.80 (as of 07/13/2009)
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.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Reader Feedback
If you have any comments or suggestions about this page, please let me know!
Belinha wrote...
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!:)
Posted March 21, 2009
foovay wrote...
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
Posted December 16, 2008
JenniferAkers wrote...
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!
Posted November 17, 2008
seedplanter wrote...
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!
Posted October 05, 2008
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...
(more)Related Topics
Favorited By
- ivoryfrog
- TheNewGreenWayToHealthyLiving
- Kitchendiva
- Sammie
- laughinglizard
- Ladymaggic
- JenniferAkers
- monicamoody
- tompokny
- InderDear
- anather
- justine
- 20knotgirl
- tlrademaker
- sahadeva
- anndouglas
- bentfocus
- milosfmac
- donnafaber8
- aniaArt
- Barrie
- 84rms
- Staramaze
- Levine
- oopsart
- Jennie.Harris
- MomwithAHook
- Ashleybug
- TwinDreamCreations
- glassich
- See all 51 people
