Making Your Own Envelopes

Handmade Envelopes

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.
Wikipedia: Envelope
A history of the envelope, postal requirements, and other details.
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.
Making Custom Envelopes (Martha Stewart)
A quick how-to guide on making your own envelopes with basic supplies.
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.
How to Make Envelope and Stamp Glue
Use simple household items to make your own envelope glue for the flap seal.
Festive Envelopes (Martha Stewart)
Unfold an envelope to use as a template, then use decorative paper to cut out a new one.

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.
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.
Green Sneakers
This company offers various envelope templates, envelope glue, and other crafty products.
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.
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

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Envelope Books on Amazon

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More Envelope Books Amazon

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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 Supplies on Etsy

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Scor-it A-2 Envelope-it Template | Price: $8

The A-2 Envelope-it is an aluminum template that lets you cut out your own A-2 envelopes from any sheet of paper. The A-2 envelope is made to hold an... (full description)

Envelope Template- Japanese Craft Supplies | Price: $8

Plastic template to make envelopes out of paper or thin cardboard. Made from plastic so you can use the template over and over and great for younger... (full description)

Small envelope template | Price: $15

Some supplies just can't hide out in the drawer. This beautifully crafted wooden envelope template deserves to be displayed.
All you need to make... (full description)

Japanese Wood Envelope Template BIG SIZE | Price: $7

Theme: Wood Envelope Templates BIG SIZE

Material: Wood

Size:
Big - approx. 28*19.6*0.4cm
Small - approx. 15^15.5*0.4cm

This listing is sel... (full description)

Lettermail Envelope Template | Price: $12

Use these templates from Jam Studio in Korea to create your own custom envelopes easily. Trace the template, which includes openings for folding/scori... (full description)

Envelope Template DIY Envelopes Templates Maker Envelope Stencil | Price: $5

A set of 2 for envelope maker templates. This DIY Maker 1 has 3 different sizes and shape. Create your own envelopes with old paper, magazines, etc..... (full description)

Square Envelope SVG / Cut / Digital / Cricut Cut File w/ 12 Liners | Price: $6

Using (.svg) files and SCAL the possibilities are endless. We are now offering inexpensive & creative SVG / PDF / JPG cut files.

Envelope SVG / Cu... (full description)

Printable Seed Envelopes Assortment Large and Small Packets | Price: $5

If you're like me and your save your own seeds, you often have big quantities of seeds that you package up when you want to share some of the good... (full description)

A7 Envelope SVG / Cut / Digital / Cricut Cut File w/ 12 Liners | Price: $6

Using (.svg) files and SCAL the possibilities are endless. We are now offering inexpensive & creative SVG / PDF / JPG cut files.

A7 Envelope SVG /... (full description)

Envelope Templates on eBay

Here are the latest eBay auctions for envelope templates of all kinds.
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Envelope Flap Duel!

What kind of envelope flap is best?

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Square-edge

Triangle-edge

says:

The triangle flap works the best for me

Philippians468 says:

i prefer the triangle! cheers

noobeegin says:

A triangle edge is more decorative and harder to open.

mcochs says:

triangle!

 

Reader Feedback

If you have any comments or suggestions about this page, please let me know!

  • GonnaFly Mar 11, 2011 @ 3:05 am | delete
    Looks like a great idea for we card-makers :-)
  • ukgreetingcards Feb 24, 2011 @ 1:43 pm | delete
    Really nice lens I will be checking out your other lens
  • ezpostcard Jan 6, 2011 @ 8:04 am | delete
    Now I can do recycling, use some used wrapper and make it an envelop. Thanks!
  • jackiebolen Jan 2, 2011 @ 8:44 pm | delete
    Such a great idea. Congrats on lens of the day!
  • Dec 10, 2010 @ 8:53 am | delete
    great lens, I am going to make my own envelope.
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