How to Make a Pointed Envelope

Envelopes set the tone for the correspondence inside. Envelopes with pointed flaps, also called Baronial envelopes, are more formal than other envelopes and are perfect for invitations, announcements and cards. You can easily make pointed envelopes that stand out using a few simple tools.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pre-made envelope or envelope template
• Thick card stock or 1/8-inch acrylic sheet
• Ruler
• Pencil
• Scissors or other cutting tool with self-healing cutting mat
• Paper
• Bone folder
• Glue

1. Determine what size envelope you want to make. A Baronial 6 size envelope, or an A6 envelope, is the perfect size for sending out photos. A Baronial 6 measures 4 3/4 inches by 6 1/2 inches. However, you can make any sized envelope with the right paper and template.

2. Create a template by taking apart a pre-made envelope in the size you want. Trace the opened envelope onto a heavy weight card-stock or thin acrylic sheet and cut out to create your own template. Alternatively, you can buy envelope templates (see Resources) or even design and print them from your computer with the aid of a graphics program like Photoshop.

3. Decide on the paper you want to use for the envelope. Use paper thin enough so that you can easily fold it, but not so thin that it's too flimsy when you send it. Also, take the template into consideration and buy paper large enough to fit the template. 12 inch by 12 inch scrapbooking paper works well for A6 envelopes and comes in all different colors and designs.

4. Place your template on the paper. Trace the template onto your paper and cut out. It helps to trace onto the backside of the paper so you don't see pencil lines on the outside of the finished envelope.

5. Use your ruler or another straight edge to act as a guide for scoring the fold lines. Line the ruler up with the inside corners of the flaps and run your bone folder along this to create a score mark for folding. Make four of these score lines where each flap should fold inwards to make the envelope.

6. Fold, crease and smooth all of the flaps. Leave the side flaps folded and pointed towards the center of the envelope.

7. Unfold the bottom flap and run a glue stick along sides that meet with side flaps when folded. Fold the bottom flap up again and press to adhere the three flaps together. You've just made an envelope.

8. Fill your envelope and adhere the top flap down with glue. Make sure you use enough glue that the envelope remains sealed while in the mail.

Resources

• Envelope templates at Papersource