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When you want to make a handmade card, you have many options for buying pre-made blank cards and envelopes — ready for you to personalize and decorate.
You can buy them in packs from 5 to 50 in all colors — both online and in stores. These are great for making multiples, such as Christmas cards or party invitations.
But, sometimes you might make a card with a unique shape, size, or paper!
I love to match my cards to the envelope — so when I use a print or patterned paper on the card itself, I always make sure to have a sheet of paper leftover for the envelope as well. (It doesn’t always have to be the exact same sheet of paper — any complementary design or color works.)
TIP: Remember not to make the card so big that the envelope paper won’t cover it!
Okay, are you ready to have fun learning how to make an envelope out of paper for any situation?
First, A Few Tips…
- Making an envelope is basically just folding and gluing around the card.
- You can literally wrap your card like a present — using double-stick tape or a glue stick instead of tape.
- Thinner paper will be easier to fold, but you can also use cardstock or any other paper.
- Practice using scrap paper or newspaper before you use your one good sheet of patterned paper.
How To Make An Envelope For A Card
Someday, I will master the art of the video tutorial. But for now, you get these old-school, step-by-step photos!
For this example, my card is 4-1/4 x 5-1/2 (known as standard envelope size: A2) and my envelope is starting its life as a piece of paper (8-1/2 x 11 size).
Follow the dotted lines to fold the paper all the way around the card.
Be careful to not fold the envelope too tightly on the card, so the card can slide into the envelope. You can draw folding lines on your paper (wrong side up) or you can just fold around the card (like a present).
Next, follow along the blue lines to cut away the parts you won’t need.
The next 2 photo diagrams show you the order to fold the 3 sides (all but the envelope flap) and use your double-stick tape or glue stick to secure the envelope. I use Tombow Mono Permanent Adhesive.
And your envelope is done!
Of course, it will look much better when you use a fun piece of patterned paper that matches your handmade card. All the markings and lines you see here were simply used to illustrate each individual step for making envelopes.
But that’s the jist of how to make envelopes step by step.
When you’re ready to seal your envelope, I suggest using a glue stick — because it will be easier for the recipient to open. Be sure to let it dry completely before you put it in the mail.
Must read: How To Know Which Craft Glue To Use When
Landscape (Wide) vs Portrait (Tall) Envelopes
Depending on your patterned paper or the orientation of your handmade card, you might need to place your card “the other way.”
These 2 photos show where to cut the paper for your envelope when your is card placed inside “landscape” (wide) instead of “portrait” (tall, like in the examples above):
TIP: Take the envelopes that your bills come in and unfold them. You will see a close-up example of the basic “landscape” envelope template that I’ve used here.
Bonus Tips For Making Envelopes
The following example shows one reason why you’ll want to pay attention to the orientation of your patterned paper. As you can see, when using paper with numbers on it, you’ll want the numbers to face the right way:
And finally, to send your new handmade envelope through the mail, you will need to use a blank label for the address (on patterned paper only):
So now you have the skills needed to create custom envelopes for any size card! I’ve found that practice makes perfect. Have fun experimenting.
I’ll be back soon to show some handmade cards in a wide variety of shapes and sizes — and how to make envelopes to match them. In the meantime, get out there and create!
Even More Unique DIY Envelope Ideas
In addition to the step-by-step instructions I’ve shared above, here are some other resources which will show you how to make an envelope in lots of different fun shapes & sizes:
- How To Sew Envelopes For Your Handmade Cards
- DIY Paper Doily Envelope Tutorial
- How To Put A Photo Liner Inside Your Handmade Envelopes
- DIY Brown Kraft Paper Envelopes
- How To Make An Envelope Book For DIY Gift Coupons
- DIY Fabric Document Envelope
- How to Turn A Heart-Shaped Piece Of Paper Into An Envelope
I don't buy greeting cards or holiday cards anymore — I make my own! I also do some rubber stamping and scrapbooking. But mostly I enjoy creating handmade, one-of-a-kind cards. I’ve been an avid crafter for most of my adult life. My crafting addiction started with cross-stitching, then moved on to wearable art, projects with painted wood, fabric crafts, and then paper crafts — which has transformed primarily into card making. I also make the occasional wreath, snowglobe, and other holiday crafts.
This was great i know what to look for and how to make my envelope as to look i went shopping for my card but was confused and didnt know what to do about my envelopes as there was so many but they were expensive so i am chuffed and now know that i can make my own envelopes and also this step by step presentation helped me alot.
Thanks ever so much!
This was great i know what to look for and how to make my envelope as to look i went shopping for my card but was confused and didnt know what to do about my envelopes as there was so many but they were expensive so i am chuffed and now know that i can make my own envelopes and also this step by step presentation helped me alot.
Thanks ever so much!
I actually like your step by step photos better than the tutorial videos I’ve seen because I can print them out and refer to them. Very nice little job of labeling your steps in the photos!!! 🙂 thank you!
Thanks! I prefer this method instead of the video tutorial as well…it’s easier to go step by step than to refer to a video.
This is terrific! Your instructions with the excellent illustrations made it so clear!Thanks a million…just what I needed. Nancy
So if I have a card that’s 6 by 7 1/4 what size paper would I need?
Hi Bopperkid – for that size card, you can use 12×12 paper, but you’ll have to fold it differently. Place the 12×12 sheet face down on your table like a diamond, with one of the corners pointing up. That top corner will be the envolepe flap. Place your card horizontally on the paper in the middle, and slide it up until the card corners hit the edges of the paper, making sure the top corner is centered (not touching the card, but in the center if you were to draw a line straight down). Pull your card down just a tiny bit, so the card corners don’t actually touch the edges. You can then fold all the corners around your card, like a present. It will be a tight fit, so maybe practice on construction paper first! You will only need to cut the bottom point into a straight edge to match your card. Good luck and have fun!
Hi Bopperkid – for that size card, you can use 12×12 paper, but you’ll have to fold it differently. Place the 12×12 sheet face down on your table like a diamond, with one of the corners pointing up. That top corner will be the envolepe flap. Place your card horizontally on the paper in the middle, and slide it up until the card corners hit the edges of the paper, making sure the top corner is centered (not touching the card, but in the center if you were to draw a line straight down). Pull your card down just a tiny bit, so the card corners don’t actually touch the edges. You can then fold all the corners around your card, like a present. It will be a tight fit, so maybe practice on construction paper first! You will only need to cut the bottom point into a straight edge to match your card. Good luck and have fun!
This is so simple and yet so brilliant. Thank you for sharing.
This is so simple and yet so brilliant. Thank you for sharing.
This is so simple and yet so brilliant. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for the excellent step by step instructions which are written & the photo’s explain it just great. I’m glad I found this site. I to make cards for gifts & giving “:)
Thanks – Susan
So easy! Loved it! I made some invitation too small for the original envelopes and these step by steps were just perfect! now even the envelopes have character thanks!
THANK GOD you don’t use video tutorials that sometimes go way too quick. I really appreciate this and hope that you do more. Thank you, you saved me in a quick pinch!! 🙂 God I love the internet! ;]
thanks so much!!! this helped a ton 😀
Thank you so much for taking time to make this tutorial. I love making homemade envys, it’s just been so long. Thanks for the reminder, I even have wallpaper books and some templates, I’d forgotten about. ugh
You just got me back in a creating mode. :O)
Hi – you’re welcome! Glad to help! Wallpaper swatches would make great envelopes 🙂 Have fun!