A homemade envelope can add a personal touch to a thank you card or other greeting. This wikiHow teaches you several ways to make envelopes.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making a Pouch Envelope
Step 1. Prepare paper that is twice the size of the envelope you want
When in doubt, just use plain folio paper measuring 21.5 x 33 cm. If you want to make a smaller envelope, cut the paper in half before starting.
Step 2. Fold the paper into two equal parts
You should get a rectangle that is half the size of the paper.
Step 3. Glue the two exposed sides of the paper together
Use masking tape to seal the left and right sides of the rectangle. Meanwhile, leave the top side open as this will be where you will insert the letter.
Step 4. Fold the top side of the paper down to make the envelope flap
Make a small lid by folding the open side of the rectangle down. That way, your letter will not come out of the envelope. Envelope caps measuring 1 cm are sufficient.
Step 5. Insert a letter or greeting card
Bend the envelope flap back, then insert a letter, card, or other object. Fold the envelope flap down again when you're done.
Step 6. Glue the envelope lid with glue to keep your message inside
Pour a small amount of glue along the outer edge of the envelope and press it down. That way, the envelope will continue to be closed until it is opened by the recipient. You can also glue the envelopes together with masking tape or colorful stickers.
Method 2 of 3: Making an Envelope with Tape
Step 1. Lay out a standard sized (8.5 x 11 inch) piece of paper
Keep the paper stretched out (landscape style) while following the instructions.
Step 2. Fold the paper in half lengthwise
Line up the edges of the paper to make sure the folds are straight, and press the creases with your fingers to straighten. Then, you can open the paper and you will see a crease in the middle.
Step 3. Fold the top right corner towards the center crease
When the edge of the top right corner touches the center crease in a straight line, fold the corner down. This will create a triangular shape with the top right corner.
Step 4. Fold the top left corner towards the center crease
Fold the top left corner down like the top right corner. Remember to straighten the folds of the paper with your fingers. Now you have two small triangles on top of a rectangle.
Step 5. Fold 2.5 centimeters of top and bottom edges towards the center crease
It doesn't have to be the exact size, so you can see the crease. This edge should be folded towards the center about 2.5 centimeters, leaving enough space in the middle for the letter or card to fit in.
- At this point, the paper should be spread wide.
- The dot of the triangle on the paper should be facing the left.
Step 6. Fold the right edge of the paper towards the bottom of the triangle
The folded edge of the triangle on the left side of the paper should line up with the right edge of the paper. The triangle itself will still be visible. Straighten the folds with your fingers, then unfold them.
Step 7. Fold your letter so that it fits in the envelope
A wide card may be too large for this method, but quarto-sized plain paper will fit perfectly when folded in half or three.
Step 8. Enter your message
Your notes can fit between the horizontal folds of the envelope. Use the triangular fold and the two longitudinal folds on the sides to hold the message inside the envelope.
Step 9. Close the envelope
Fold the right edge of the paper back to the bottom edge of the triangle, as you did a moment ago. Fold the triangle towards the center of the square. Now, you will notice that the back of the envelope looks like a store-bought envelope.
Step 10. Tape the edges to seal
Use small pieces of tape to secure the sides of the envelope. Also glue the triangular folds on the envelope to seal it.
Step 11. Send your mail directly
Unfortunately, the postal service sometimes charges more for letters that are not perfectly square and whose edges are uneven. Mail yourself in this custom-made envelope if you don't want to pay extra shipping fees.
Method 3 of 3: Making a Square Origami Envelope
Step 1. Find a square sheet of paper that is larger than your letter or card
If your letter or card size is very large, you may need to visit a stationery store to find the right paper size. For example, if your card is 8.5 x 11 inches, you will need at least a 12 x 12 inch sheet of paper. For small 4 x 5 inch cards, 7 x 7 inch paper will do.
Step 2. Lay the paper so that the corners form a diamond
These corners should face up and down, and to the right and left, like a diamond.
Step 3. Fold this square from corner to corner
This will create one crease from the top left corner to the bottom right corner and another fold from the top right corner to the bottom left corner. First, align the two opposite corners, fold them, then unfold them. Repeat the above for the other two corners, then unfold so that the paper is once again spread out flat in a diamond shape.
Step 4. Fold the bottom corner towards the center crease line
Touch the bottom corner to the point where the folds cross in the center of the paper. Then, align the edges of the fold so that the paper lies flat.
Step 5. Fold the flat bottom up to the center crease line
Now, the paper shape will be a triangle. The outer edges of the paper should be almost perfectly aligned. Straighten the folds so the paper is flat.
Step 6. Fold the left corner towards the center
Fold the left corner of the triangle so that the point slightly crosses the center crease line.
Step 7. Fold the right corner towards the center
The right corner of the triangle should also pass through this center crease.
Step 8. Fold back the corner of the right corner towards the outside right
The right corner is not perfectly aligned with the center crease line, so fold the overlapping point slightly to the right. The edge of this right angle should be parallel to the vertical crease line. This will form a small triangle.
Step 9. Open this small triangle
If you insert your finger into the crease of the small triangle, you will notice that the triangle unfolds into a diamond shape. Open and flatten the triangle. The small diamond will have a crease line in the middle.
Step 10. Insert the top edge of the envelope into this diamond hole
Now, the envelope is done! You can re-open the envelope to insert the card or letter, and close it again after the card or letter has been inserted. You may want to secure the loose edges with tape, but chances are the edges will stay closed.
Tips
- Using colored construction paper can add fun to your crafted envelope, and it can also make the envelope feel bold.
- Many stores sell patterned tape, which can add a sweet touch to envelopes.
- Try decorating envelopes with stickers.
- You can add designs to a piece of paper before folding it; when you're done, the design will appear to be scattered all over the envelope.
Warning
- Don't make a crease until you're sure it's in the right place.
- Handle the paper with care, as paper cuts can be painful.
