Things You\’ll Need
-
Paper
-
Scissors
-
Bone folder
-
Glue stick
Homemade envelopes are simple and fun to create. Image Credit: Jessica Begum
Making a homemade envelope is easy and can be made to suit any sized card. It's very handy for oddly sized cards. For a clean crisp envelope, use white printing paper or white butcher paper. Envelopes can also be made from recycled materials such as newspaper, grocery bags, news print, magazine pages and junk mail.
Video of the Day
Envelope-Making Materials
Step 1
Making an envelope only requires a handful of supplies. Image Credit: Jessica Begum
To make an envelope, you need, at minimum, paper, scissors, a bone folder and a glue stick. Please see the last slide for an itemized list of tools and materials
Step 2
Measure the card on the diagonal. Image Credit: Jessica Begum
Begin by measuring your card on the diagonal. Cut a square piece of paper 1" larger than this measurement. For example, the 5×7 card pictured here measures 8 ½" on the diagonal, so the envelope paper should be 9 ½" x 9 ½ ".
Step 3
Turn paper on the diagonal and center card. Image Credit: Jessica Begum
Turn paper on the diagonal so the points are horizontal and vertical (it will resemble a diamond shape, as pictured). Place the card in the middle horizontally. It helps to do this on a gridded mat, or use a ruler or straight edge to make sure the points of the papers edge are even and the card is centered exactly in the middle.
Step 4
Fold the sides of the paper over the card. Image Credit: Jessica Begum
Carefully fold each side of the paper over the card, creasing gently and then returning the paper flat on the mat or surface before the next corner is folded.
Step 5
Use a bone folder to crease edges. Image Credit: Jessica Begum
Remove card and use a bone folder to crease the pre-folded edges down.
Step 6
Cut the triangle area out of the paper. Image Credit: Jessica Begum
Open the paper and find the triangle area where two creased edges overlap one another. Carefully trim the triangle out with scissors.
Step 7
Trim the bottom flap. Image Credit: Jessica Begum
Fold bottom flap up and the two sides of the envelope in. Mark where the side points touch the bottom flap. Trim the top triangle off the bottom flap so it lines up evenly with the points when folded shut.
Step 8
Use a glue stick to secure the bottom of the envelope. Image Credit: Jessica Begum
Using a glue stick, glue the outside edge of the bottom flap, making sure that glue does not get on the inside of the envelope. Repeat on both sides. Using a bone folder, crease the side flaps over the glued edge to secure.
Step 9
Use a glue stick to seal the envelope. Image Credit: Jessica Begum
Use a glue stick to seal the envelope once card is inside.
