Knowing how to make your own envelopes quickly and easily is a great reuse skill that can help you in a pinch if you need an envelope, don’t have the time or desire to go shopping or wait for the Amazon truck, and don’t want to spend money on a whole box when you just need one. It also comes in handy if you want to make your own greeting card/invitation and send it in a coordinated envelope.
1.First step is buying or making envelope templates in one or more sizes— great reuse tools to have on hand!
A. Buying Envelope Templates: They’re available in packs from big box craft stores and on Amazon for around $5-$10.
B. Making Templates (two ways):
-Find a free template available online (there are many); print it on paper, cut out and trace it onto thin cardboard (note the fold lines), then cut out the template from the cardboard
-OR, take a spare envelope of the size you need, open up all the flaps completely (“deconstruct” it), trace it onto thin cardboard, and cut it out (note the fold lines).
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2.Second step is Making the Envelope
A. Choose paper– sturdy enough for an envelope but not too thick. Scrapbooking paper is a great choice; thin cardstock works, too. I think one-sided scrapbook paper is nice, as the plain side can be the outside of the envelope (with plenty of blank space to write and read the address) and the printed side can be used as the inside of the envelope and look like you went to the trouble of putting in a liner!
B. Lay template on paper and trace, then cut out the shape created. Some crafters have a tool called an envelope punch board that helps score the envelope for perfect folds, but I made the sample shown in the photo without one and I think it turned out fine!
C. Place the side of the paper cutout that you want for the interior of the envelope facing up; line up the template underneath and fold all flaps of the template inward along with the paper that’s on top of it— the template is now a “folding helper”. Take the template away and use a palette knife or the back of a plastic picnic knife to help your fingers make “perfect” creases/crisp folds on your new envelope.
D. Use scissors to tweak any edges and corners that may need help to fold right/look right; use a glue stick to glue the bottom/side flaps together to create the envelope’s pocket; leave the top flap unglued. Wait a minute or two for it to dry.
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And that’s it! Only other thing I’d add is that a streamlined way to do this is to try to print the template directly onto the paper you’ll be using for the envelope– this works if your paper can fit into the printer, but it also limits you in terms of colors and design choices– some craft paper is embossed and glittered and while that would make a beautiful envelope interior, it’s not a good choice to pass through a home printer (at least not mine!). Also, there are worlds of beautiful choices in larger sizes of paper that usually don’t fit into a standard home printer, such as 12″ x 12″ scrapbooking paper.
Don’t forget to look for envelope paper at a creative reuse center if you’ve got one in your area– often the paper is far less expensive than at a big box craft store and an eco-friendly choice for sure!