How to Make Your Own Envelopes and Cards

Making your own envelopes at home is fairly simple. All you need is paper (or cardstock), a paper trimmer, and a scoring board. I show you how to make an envelope step by step in this tutorial using cardstock. I also teach you how to make a card that is the perfect size for the envelope. As an added bonus, I also have created an Envelope and Card Size Guide that you can get at the bottom of this tutorial. It shows you multiple different envelope and card sizes that you can make following this same tutorial.

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Supplies List for Making Your Own Envelopes and Cards

 

Make a Standard Size A2 Card

Before you make your envelopes, you should make some cards that will fit the envelope! Making an A2 size card is very easy to do. It measures 4.25 inches x 5.5 inches and is the perfect size card to decorate and create for a special occasion or holiday card. If you need some Holiday Card ideas and inspiration, check out this post of 5 Easy DIY Christmas Cards.

Card Step 1: Using an 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock, cut it down the middle on the long 11-inch side. This should leave you with two pieces that measure 5.5 inches by 8.5 inches.

Card Step 2: Score (or fold) down the middle of each piece on the 8.5 inch side.  This will create a fold line in the card at the 4.25-inch mark, like in the photo below. To create clean folded lines, I use this Martha Stewart scoring board. Fold the card in half and viola – you are done!

For each piece of 8.5 x 11 inch cardstock, you will get two A2 size cards using the steps above.

Make a Standard Size A2 Envelope

Making your own envelope to fit an A2 sized card it very simple as well. Depending on the bulkiness of your card, the size of your envelope can vary slightly. Typically A2 size envelopes are about 4.5 inches x 5.75 inches.

Envelope Step 1: First you will create the base of the envelope. Cut a square that is 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches from the cardstock. I am using the standard A2 size envelope for this tutorial. You can create your own custom size using the chart below or get the free Card and Envelope Size Guide printable at the bottom of this post for other sizes.

Envelope Step 2: Use the scoring board with an angle helper plate to score the A and B lines which will form the base of your envelope. The Martha Stewart score board I use has a helper plate stored in the bottom of the scoreboard.  You can see in the photo below where it is stored in the lower right side underneath the board.  Be sure to buy a score board that has the helper plate.  It will save you a lot of time and you’ll get clean straight lines!

Now score it’s time to score both the A and B lines.  The A lines should be scored at 3 inches and the B lines should both be scored at 3 ⅝ inches on your starting square base. Be sure to turn the paper around to score the proper lines. I like to score the A lines first, then I score the B lines.  I’ve marked the lines I score in pencil below just so you can see it easier in the photo.  However, you don’t need to do this step when you make your own envelopes.

Envelope Step 3: Next to make the envelope less bulky, trim away the little triangles that are formed along the straight edges of the base.  You can use the score lines as a guide to cut away the triangles.

Envelope Step 4: Now use the scoring bone folder tool that comes with your score board and fold all of the edges inward to get crisp fold lines.

Envelope Step 5: This step is just optional, but I like to do it to make a cleaner looking card. Trim the bottom flap point to a flat edge that matches with the two sides that fold inward.

Also, trim the two top edges of the sides that fold inward near the top flap. This will help to remove some folding imperfections and any other bulkiness that is added. Also, the top flap of the envelope can be softened by trimming the point or using a corner rounder.

Here is a photo of the envelope before I made trimming adjustments.

And here is a photo of the envelope right after I made the trimming adjustments.

Envelope Step 6: This is the last step and time to put your envelope together. Using a strong adhesive (I like my ATG Tape Runner with permanent adhesive), attach the two middle points if they overlap (as shown in the photo below). Then I attach the bottom flap. Be sure that the bottom flap is done last and get around all of the edges EXCEPT for the “straight” edge that was trimmed. If you put tape on here, you won’t be able to slide in a card. You can see the dashed line markings I’ve included in the photo below to show where the adhesive should go.

Customize Your Cards and Envelopes

Creating Custom Envelope Liners

You can create some beautiful custom envelopes just by lining the inside flap. It gives the envelope a special, classy touch and it is very easy to make. Check out this tutorial I wrote that shows you exactly how to add a liner to your envelopes.

Paper Types

I like to use 65 lb. cardstock for both cards and envelopes. However, it’s best to look for other options to prevent the envelope from becoming too bulky.  Just be sure you find paper that is not see through or too thin if you are sending it in the mail. This is especially important if you have any embellishments on your card.

If you are hand delivering the card, using fun scrapbook paper with designs to make the envelope perfect for the occasion.  If you decide to use a busy background for an envelope and you are mailing it, be sure to use white mailing labels for your Send To address and the return address areas of the envelope.

Sealing Your Envelopes

Sealing your envelopes with the proper adhesive is just as important. You don’t want your envelope opening up in the mail when it’s being delivered. There are a few ways you can do this, but it all depends on your envelope paper size. Here are some ways you can seal your envelopes:

• Seal the envelope with a sticker seal
• Use an envelope glue stick/sealer (here is an acid free one by Avery)
• Tape it shut with the ATG tape runner adhesive (although this stuff is super sticky so it may make opening the envelope a bit destructive)

A2 Envelope Size and Score Line Measurement Chart

Here is a quick size guide for A2 Sized Envelopes. If you are looking for more card and envelope sizes, you can find a Card and Envelope Size Guide Printable in my FREE resource library at the bottom of this post.

Note: If you have cards that are not bulky and fit loosely in the largest size A2 envelope, then try cutting the Starting Square about ⅛” larger on each side. You will still maintain the same A and B score lines as seen in the chart above.

Make Your Own Envelopes and Cards

Well there you have it – easy steps to make your own A2 sized cards and envelopes at home. This basic paper crafting technique can save you in a pinch or allow you to create custom cards and envelopes.

You can also sign up below to receive my weekly crafting newsletter and as a bonus get access to my FREE resource library where you can find the Card and Envelope Size Guide mentioned in this post.

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Happy Crafting!
Julie