How to Make a Paper Envelope

To make an envelope, you need, at minimum, paper, scissors, a bone folder and a glue stick. Please see the last slide for an itemized list of tools and materials

Begin by measuring your card on the diagonal. Cut a square piece of paper 1" larger than this measurement. For example, the 5x7 card pictured here measures 8 ½" on the diagonal, so the envelope paper should be 9 ½" x 9 ½ ".

Turn paper on the diagonal so the points are horizontal and vertical (it will resemble a diamond shape, as pictured). Place the card in the middle horizontally. It helps to do this on a gridded mat, or use a ruler or straight edge to make sure the points of the papers edge are even and the card is centered exactly in the middle.

Carefully fold each side of the paper over the card, creasing gently and then returning the paper flat on the mat or surface before the next corner is folded.

Remove card and use a bone folder to crease the pre-folded edges down.

Open the paper and find the triangle area where two creased edges overlap one another. Carefully trim the triangle out with scissors.

Fold bottom flap up and the two sides of the envelope in. Mark where the side points touch the bottom flap. Trim the top triangle off the bottom flap so it lines up evenly with the points when folded shut.

Using a glue stick, glue the outside edge of the bottom flap, making sure that glue does not get on the inside of the envelope. Repeat on both sides. Using a bone folder, crease the side flaps over the glued edge to secure.

Use a glue stick to seal the envelope once card is inside.