How to Create Envelope Templates From Cereal Boxes

Those who enjoy creating handmade envelopes on a regular basis know how frustrating it can be working with flimsy materials, such as a paper template. Let’s create some templates made from cardboard to keep on hand in a file, an organizer or in a craft drawer. This activity is kid-friendly and offers teaching in the areas of recycling, arts and crafts.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Scissors
• Several envelopes, various sizes
• Empty cereal or food boxes
• Pencil

1. 
   Be sure the edges are as clean and straight as possible.

   Disassemble the envelopes chosen for this project. To keep the template file diverse and interesting, try finding at least between five and ten different envelopes. If the envelopes have a strong adhesive, wave them over a pot of boiling water and steam open them.

2. 
   The larger the box the better.

   Cut the food boxes so they lay flat. It’s best to use the areas without creases so the template can lay flat when finished. Depending on the size of the envelope, however, this isn’t always possible.

3. 
   As you can see, pencil lines are very light.

   Trace out all the disassembled envelopes on to the pieces of cardboard. If the pencil doesn’t show up well enough, use a pen or a marker. Trace them so the lines touch. This will prevent a lot of cutting and wasted space on the cardboard.

4. 
   Be patient, this can be time consuming.

   Cut out the cardboard templates. Be as precise with the cuts as possible. To ensure clean cuts, use very sharp scissors. Reserve all scraps (aside from small bits) for future art projects.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a sharpie to create a bold border around each template.
• Print out templates found online, cut them out and trace them on the cardboard to cut out into sturdier templates.
• Use stencils to trace out the templates on to cardboard.
• Jagged cuts will occur if scissors aren’t sharp enough.
• Don’t use a flimsy piece of cardboard or the same unreliability of paper templates will occur.

[laylastar]

on 8/13/2009 Great idea!! :)

I've thought of making envelopes before, couldn't really figure out how to go make 'em! :)

[jennhollowell]

on 3/29/2008 Thank you, creativemayhem! I'm glad you found this useful - the volume of cereal boxes I couldn't throw away, either, is what inspired the idea. :-) Have fun!

[creativemayhem]

on 2/21/2008 Great idea! I have so many cereal boxes I can't bear to throw away, this will be a great use for them. Thanks!