How to Fold Your Own Envelopes
Today I will share how I created envelopes for my A6 size “Thank You” cards. The idea of creating my own envelopes came when I couldn’t find any good envelopes for thank you cards I designed for a beautiful bridal client. She loved my handmade envelopes even more than those available in the market and it made me so happy. I’m even more excited to share them with you here.
Materials
These are the simplest of stationery items that you probably have at home already. If not, you can be easily find them at any stationery store.
- Paper – Size depends on the size of your card! For this tutorial I will be using an A4 size sheet, as my card is small.
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Eraser
- Your card for which you are making envelope – Example: If your card is A5 size, you may need to create a C5 size envelope
- Bone folder (or you can use your ruler to fold the creases)
- Fevistick or Glue to paste.
Step One
Measure your card diagonally from one corner to another. For example, my card measured 18 inches diagonally.
Step Two
Add 2.5 inches to your measurement. For example, 18 + 2.5 = 20.5 inches. You need to cut a square of 20.5 inches from the sheet you selected initially.
Step Three
Create guidelines. Take your card and draw the lines at the middle of the card both horizontally and vertically. Do the same thing with your square sheet. Both the items should now have guidelines at the center. Make sure your guidelines are very light so that you can erase them later.
Step Four
Place your card over the square sheet and use the guidelines we created to make sure it has been placed in the center.
Step Five
Use your hand make to sure that card is placed at its position in the center and at the same time fold the left and the right sides of the the square sheet around your card. Use a bone folder or ruler to make sure your creases are prominent.
Step Six
Repeat the above step and fold the top and bottom part of square sheet around the card placed over it.
Step Seven
When you remove the card, you’ll see the folded creases on your square sheet. This is the structure of your envelope template.
Step Eight
Cut off the triangles you see at the corners of your square sheet.
Step Nine
This is the final template of your envelope. You can use this template to make a thicker envelope template by tracing the shape on a thick cardboard. If you’re planning to create same size envelope multiple times, a thick cardboard template will come handy and will save you time.
Step Ten
Coming back to your envelope template, fold the left and right side flaps in toward the middle. Use a glue stick to line the bottom edges of the side flaps and fold the bottom flap up to bond it with the sides. Be careful to only place glue on the flaps.
Step Eleven
Don’t forget to erase those pencil marks from your card and the envelope.
Insert your card and it should fit perfectly. Close the envelope and be proud of the extra handmade touch that your recipient will love.
I hope you will try this technique and make your very own envelopes. Share with me on Instagram by tagging me @bohocalligraphy or use #bohocalligraphyenvelopes. I can’t wait to see what you come up with.
Happy creating! <3