Ten handmade paper envelopes in bright colors on a white background below the title How to Make an Envelope.

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 Learn how to make an envelope for any occasion with my new design collection and tutorial!

Handmade cards are some of my favorite paper crafts! And special cards deserve special envelopes, which you’ve asked me to create. So, I’m thrilled to share a collection of 30+ designs in 12 envelope sizes from A1 to A10, and everything in between! These envelopes are perfect for cards, stickers, decals, and other thin crafts. Some can even fit a small layered mandala! The best part is … the Cricut does almost all the work. Today, I’ll share the easy steps for how to make an envelope in three styles. And you can use these techniques to make the rest of my amazing envelope collection!

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Watch the full step-by-step video tutorial on how to make an envelope premiering on my channel on Sunday, February 13, 2022.

Get the free SVG cut file for this project

With so many handmade card designs available, I wanted to give you lots of options on how to make an envelope. My collection includes standard card dimensions, customizable sizes, plain styles, and intricate cutout designs. I love them all! There are also specialized envelopes that will save you money in not one, but TWO ways.

My step-by-step instructions cover techniques that you can apply to other projects, too. I’ll show you how to cut these on a Cricut cutting machine and how to convert cut lines to score lines and attach them to your design. Then, we’ll practice creating perfect, crisp folds with a scraper tool on each envelope flap. Finally, we’ll learn a simple way to add custom text to an envelope (with perfect penmanship) using a Cricut Fine-Point Pen.

Yellow, blue, and green paper used to make DIY envelopes

The first envelope style is cut as one piece (plus a white paper liner) on a 12″ x 12″ Cricut StandardGrip Machine Mat and assembled with craft glue. It’s so easy! Once you have these steps down, you can make most of the collection with the same simple technique and tools.

Then, I’ll demonstrate how to make a larger A10 envelope by cutting the body and flaps separately. You can also cut these larger envelopes using an 11″ x 17″ sheet of paper and a 12″ x 24″ Cricut StandardGrip Machine Mat. We’ll make a BEAUTIFUL A10-sized envelope with a special closure I know you’ll love.

Sunflower cut-out envelope made from yellow cardstock and a white paper liner

The third envelope template is one many of you have requested: customizable designs for the envelope system! What’s that? It’s a simple budgeting method that is great for visual people — like crafters! — and it only requires envelopes and a pen. Here’s how it works with a dining out budget as an example:

A woman's hands holding a rectangular green envelope with a grid for recording expenses on the exterior as part of the How to Make an Envelope tutorial

  1. Estimate your monthly expense categories and amounts. I’ll budget $50 a month for dining out.
  2. Assign an envelope to each category and write the name on it. I’ll write “Dining Out” on mine.
  3. Place your budgeted cash for each category in its envelope. Budgeters call this stuffing! I’ll stuff $50 in my “Dining Out” envelope.
  4. Write the date and allocated amount in the table on the outside of the envelope, which we’ll have the Cricut draw. I’ll write “February 2022” and “$50” on mine.
  5. When you need to pay for something, only use cash from that category’s envelope and record it in the table. Once it’s empty, so is your budget! Let’s pretend I spent $45 on restaurants for the month.
  6. At the end of the month, see how much money is left in each envelope and adjust your budgets as needed! Since I had $5 left in my “Dining Out” envelope, I could either leave it for next month — a great way to save for larger expenses — or move it to a different category that I maxed out this month.

Wow, what a creative way to see where your money is going! I’m absolutely more motivated to stick to a goal when there’s a creative part, so learning how to make an envelope for each category would help. And you can customize your own envelopes with decorative paper, encouraging quotes, and especially stickers.

A group of handmade envelopes with decoratively cut closures from the how to make an envelope tutorial

Speaking of stickers, they’re the best way to seal handmade envelopes with a personal touch. Now, I have many sticker designs, but my tutorials for custom address labels, waterproofing stickers, and holographic stickers are some of my most popular.

Placing a sticker on the easy heart envelope card to keep it closed

I used a Cricut Maker 3 for my envelopes, but you can use any Maker or Explore machine. I’ve also included printable PDF files if you’d like to cut your envelopes by hand. And if you want to experiment, some of the designs can be shrunk to cut with a Joy. I’d love to see your mini envelopes!

Pretty paper envelopes handmade on a desk beside a keyboard

Ready to learn how to make an envelope? I’m excited to show you how! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy.

Materials to Make Envelopes By Hand or By Cricut Cutting Machine

View my Amazon shopping list with the exact items we used to make this project!

To make the larger envelope and the budgeting paper envelope like I do, you will also need:

How to Make an Envelope with 30+ Options!

A group of handmade envelopes of different sizes and shapes with decoratively cut closures from the how to make an envelope tutorial

How to Make Envelopes

Yield: 1 envelope
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: Less than $1 an envelope

Learn how to make an envelope for any occasion! My designs range from 4.25" x 4.25" up to 9.5" x 6" and are easy to make. In addition to standard dimensions, I've also included gift card and cash management envelopes.

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE DESIGNS FOR HOW TO MAKE AN ENVELOPE

First, download my free DIY envelope design SVGs from my free resource library — look for design #373. I have designed a variety of envelopes in several different sizes for you to use including:

  • A1: 3.625" x 5.125"
  • A2: 4.375" x 5.75"
  • A6: 4.75" x 6.5"
  • A7: 5.25: x 7.25"
  • A8: 5.5" x 8.125"
  • A9: 5.75" x 8.875"
  • A10: 6" x 9.5"
  • Square envelope: 4.25" x 4.25" (which can be easily adjusted to any size square!)
  • Greeting card: 4.25" x 6.25"
  • Cash envelopes for the envelope system of budgeting
  • Gift card envelopes
  • Commercial #10: 4.125" x 9"

STEP 2: SELECT, CUT, & MAKE AN ENVELOPE

My collection includes more than 30 unique envelope designs. Most follow the same basic steps for cutting and assembly, but some require a few adjustments. So, I will walk you through the assembly steps for three of my envelope designs; then you can use what you’ve learned to make whichever envelope(s) you like.

VERSION ONE: MAKE A SIMPLE ENVELOPE USING 12" x 12" MACHINE MAT

I'll show you how to make this on a Cricut. First, open the file called "envelope-sets-jennifermaker-4x6-SVG.svg" from my DIY envelope designs.

TIP: If you are not sure how to upload an SVG cut file to Cricut Design Space, watch this helpful video training series I made. If you're on an iPhone or iPad, here's how to download and upload an SVG file to the Cricut Design Space app.

This is what my 4" x 6" DIY envelope design set looks like in Cricut Design Space.

With the design set selected, click “UnGroup” at the top of the Layers Panel on the far right.

Select the envelopes and click ungroup to separate the designs for how to make an envelope

We’re going to make the envelope with all the circles on the flap. Select the envelope design (which is grouped with a white insert piece and faint rectangle) and drag it to the far right.

Move the designs on the canvas

Next, click and drag your cursor to make a bounding box over all the other envelopes you aren't going to use right now. Click "Group" on the right side of the Canvas above the Layers Panel.

Selecting all of the designs on how to make an envelope

Click group to group all the envelopes together

After you have grouped the unneeded designs, click the eye icon next to the resulting group in the Layers Panel to hide them.

Click the eye icon to hide the roup of envelopes

You should now only have the one envelope on your Canvas.

With the envelope design selected, click “UnGroup” to separate the envelope from the insert piece.

Now back in the Layers Panel, click on the first Basic Cut Layer that looks like a faint rectangle. We are going to change that from a Basic Cut line to a Score line.

With that layer selected, click on the drop-down field that says “Basic Cut” under “Operation” in the top menu on the left. Scroll down and select “Score.”

Change the cut line to score for how to make an envelope

The center rectangle on the envelope design should now be a dashed line. Also, the layer's description in the Layers Panel should change from Basic Cut to Score.

Showing the solid cut line transformed into a dashed score line

Attaching the two layers tells the machine to keep these two layers together. Without attaching the score line to the envelope, they will show up as separate layers when it's time to cut.

Take your cursor and drag a bounding box over the envelope and score line to select both layers. Once selected, click "Attach" at the bottom of the Layers Panel.

Attach the score and cut layers for how to make an envelope

In the Layers Panel, you will now see the two layers are attached and the third layer is at the bottom. This third layer is the piece of cardstock that will go behind the dotted envelope flap on the inside of the envelope. We don't need to make any adjustments to that layer.

We are now ready to cut the envelope. Make sure your machine is selected in the top right menu and click "Make It."

Click Make It for how to make an envelope

If prompted, click “On Mat” on the next screen and “Continue.”

You should see two mats. The first Mat is white and the second Mat is green. Click "Continue" in the bottom right corner of the Prepare screen.

For the base material I select "Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)" and I always select "More" for the pressure for a nice, clean cut.

Screenshot showing material setting

Screenshot showing pressure set to More

Since I'm using the same material for both mats, I will also check the box next to “Remember Material Settings.” Make sure your Cricut Fine-Point Blade is in the correct clamp.

Remember material setting

Place the cardstock on a StandardGrip Machine Mat (green) and use your hands or a brayer to make sure it’s properly adhered.

Liner cardstock adhered to green machine mat for how to make an envelope

Load the mat into your machine and press the blinking “Go” button to start the process.

When the cut is finished, unload your mat, flip it over, and gently bend the mat to release the cardstock. This helps prevent the paper from curling or ripping, which it may if you pull the cardstock from the mat.

Peel the mat from the cardstock

Keep in mind, I’m cutting my envelope on a Maker, so I will be prompted to insert the Single Scoring Wheel tool into Clamp B on my machine for the second mat. Instead, I’m going to click “Edit Tools” and choose the Scoring Stylus, which goes in Clamp A. This way, I don’t have to switch out tools mid-cut which saves time! Click “Apply.”

Edit Tools to switch from the scoring wheel to the scoring stylus for how to make an envelope

Switch to the scoring stylus

Now, put the next sheet of cardstock onto your mat and use your hands or a brayer to secure it. This is the piece of cardstock for the envelope.

Woman's hands applying a sheet of cardstock to the StandardGrip machine mat for how to make an envelope

Insert your Scoring Stylus in Clamp A of your machine and a Fine-Point Blade in Clamp B if it’s not already there.

Place your scoring stylus in the clamp for how to make an envelope

Next, load your mat into the machine and press “Go” to start the score and cut.

When your cut is finished, press the load/unload button to remove the mat. Turn the mat over and slightly bend it back to release the cardstock from the mat.

Grab your two cut pieces of cardstock, craft glue, and a scraper. Begin bending the envelope piece along the score lines. Use a scraper tool to create a sharp fold or crease.

Fold the side flaps for how to make an enverlope

Crease the top flap with the scraping tool for how to make an envelope

Fold in the two side flaps of the envelope to the center.

Apply craft glue to the side flaps, then fold up the bottom flap and press in place.

Fold up the bottom flap for how to make an envelope

Take the piece of white cardstock and apply a thin line of craft glue to the outer edge on all four sides.

Add glue to the edges of the white liner for how to make an envelope

Place the white cardstock sticky side down on the inside of the envelope flap, the part with the dots. Hold it in place until it dries.

Place the white liner on to the envelope flap

This is what my finished envelope looks like.

finished envelope with green dots

To seal the envelope, you can use craft glue, double-sided tape, or one of my handmade stickers. I have a lot of tutorials on the blog that show you how to create and customize all sorts of stickers, including address labels!

Holographic Stickers

How to Make Stickers with Cricut

Easy Print & Cut Stickers

VERSION TWO: MAKE A LARGER ENVELOPE

You can easily cut the larger envelopes on a 12" x 24" StandardGrip Machine Mat, but I know many people don't have access on one. That's absolutely fine! In order to cut the larger envelopes on a 12" x 12" mat, you will need use a few pieces of paper and to glue the flaps to the main piece prior to folding. Let me show you what I mean.

Follow the directions in Step 2 to Upload a file into Design Space. This time, select the file named "envelope-sets-jennifermaker-a10-SVG.svg."

Make sure to zoom out so you can see the whole design.

"UnGroup" the envelope designs as before. We are going to use the heart envelope design, so let’s pull that one off to the side. Select the other two and either hide or Delete them.

In the Layers Panel, there are five layers that look like lines and have no noticeable color like the other layers. That means we want to make those into Score lines. Hold down the SHIFT key and select the five layers by clicking on them.

Under “Operation” at the top of your Canvas, use the drop-down menu to change "Basic Cut" to "Score."

Change the cut line to score for how to make an envelope

You should now have dashed lines instead of solid lines like mine.

Dashed score lines

Select the envelope and then click "UnGroup" at the top of the Layers Panel on the right side of your Canvas.

Ungroup the design on how to make an envelope

Now, we will Attach the Score lines to their envelope flap pieces. Drag your cursor over the top piece with the slit along with the dashed Score line. Then click "Attach" at the bottom of the Layers Panel.

Select the entire design on how to make an envelope

Attach the score lines to the basic cut pieces

Repeat this process to Attach the Score lines to each of the remaining three flap pieces.

Follow the machine settings and mat preparation process in Step 2 to Score and Cut all the envelope pieces.

To assemble this envelope, begin by folding the cardstock on the Score lines for each of the four pieces.

Use a scraper tool to help bend the Score lines for the heart. Place the edge of the scraper at the Score line then bend the piece up.

Use a scraper tool to fold the heart piece

With all the pieces scored, let's assemble the envelope. Take the piece with the heart and add craft glue to the front side--the one with the Score lines-- of the short flap.

Add glue to the flap of the envelope top

Take the rectangular piece of cardstock and place its long edge over the flap with the glue. Align the edge of the rectangle against the fold in the heart flap.

Glue the top of the flap with the heart to the rectangel

Repeat these steps to add the remaining three pieces. Your envelope should look like mine.

This is my envelope with all the pieces attached

Next, fold the two side flaps to the inside. Add glue to each side of the heart flap then fold it up and press the edges to the side flaps.

This is what the heart tabslook like folded up for my envelope design

To close the envelope, bring each side of the heart tabs up so they touch each other.

This is what my envelope looks like assembled

Fold the top flap down and slide the heart tabs through the opening.

Guide the heart flaps through the slits for how to make an envelope

Once through the flap opening, fold down the heart tabs to keep the envelope closed. This is what my assembled envelope looks like.

The heart design complete for how to make an envelope

VERSION THREE: MAKE AN ENVELOPE FOR BUDGETING

The third envelope I want to demonstrate is helpful for budgeting! Cash management envelopes are used to allocate funds by a specific category for the month. For example, you might have an envelope with cash that you plan to use for dining out.

First, locate and upload the file named "envelope-sets-jennifermaker-cash-SVG.svg" to Design Space. Follow the same steps we went over earlier for the first two envelopes. You can zoom out to see the whole design on the Canvas.

A screenshot of zooming in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

Next, select the envelope design and click "UnGroup" at the top of the Layers Panel.

Ungroup your layers for how to make an envelope

"Delete" or hide the orange envelope layers. I'm not going to cover assembling it as the concept is similar to that of the other envelopes.

A screenshot of deleting items in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

Select the green envelope and click "UnGroup." Select the grid/table layer then click the drop-down menu under "Operation" to change "Basic Score" to "Pen."

A screenshot of adding text in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

OPTIONAL: If you want to change the color of the grid, click the color box next to the "Pen" Operation to select a different color. I am leaving mine set to black.

A screenshot of changing pen color in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

Next, click the layer with lines. Under "Operation," change "Basic Cut" to "Score."

Change to score lines under operation

Your envelope should look like mine.

A screenshot of updated file in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

If you would like to add headers to the columns of the cash envelope, select the "Text" icon on the left of the Canvas.

A screenshot adding text in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

When a new text box is created, the default font is Cricut Sans, which is perfect for this project. Type the word "Date."

Type in your text for how to make an envelope

Now, under “Style” at the top, click in the drop-down menu and select "Writing."

A screenshot of changing a cut line to writing in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

You'll probably want to zoom in at this point so you can see the table. We are going to place our Text in the first row.

Click to select the word "Date" then use the double ended arrow in the lower right corner to reduce the size of the word so it fits in the first cell of the top row of the table.

You can also select the word and change the font size using the increase or decrease arrows next to "Font Size." I found a font size of "7" worked great for my headers using Cricut Sans. This font size may differ for you depending on the device you are using.

A screenshot of changing text size in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

Now select the word "Date" and click "Duplicate" at the top of the Layers Panel. Move the duplicated word to the next cell in the first row.

A screenshot of duplicating text in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

Double-click on the duplicated word and change "Date" to "Name." Center the word in the second cell.

A screenshot of moving text in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

Follow the steps above and create two additional text blocks, "Amt." and "Balance." Hold down the SHIFT key on your keyboard then select all four text blocks. Then under “Align” in the top menu select "Center Vertically.”

A screenshot of aligning text in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

With all four text blocks selected, click "Duplicate" at the top of the Layers Panel. Move the duplicated text blocks to the first row in the other table.

A screenshot of moving duplicated text in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

Now, we need to Attach the Text, Score lines, and Pen lines to the envelope layer. Use your mouse to select all of the layers, then click "Attach" at the bottom of the Layers Panel. Your designs may disappear for a moment while Design Space works, that's ok!

A screenshot of attaching layers in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

We are now ready to click "Make It."

On the Prepare screen you should have one mat that indicates Score, Pen, and Basic Cut functions. If you have more than one mat, one or more of the layers did not Attach to the envelope. Repeat the steps above.

Click "Continue." Select

"Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)" for the base material.

Load your Single Scoring Wheel into Clamp B and your pen into Clamp A. If you are using a Scoring Stylus, refer to my instructions from the first envelope.

A screenshot of changing pressure level in Cricut Design Space for a tutorial teaching how to make an envelope.

Apply a sheet of cardstock to a StandardGrip Machine Mat (green) using your hands or an optional brayer. Insert the mat into the machine and press the load/unload button when it begins to blink. Press the blinking "Go" button to begin the cut.

After the machine scores the cardstock, you will be prompted to change the Single Scoring Wheel to the Fine-Point Blade in Clamp B. If you are using a Scoring Stylus, you will change it to the pen in Clamp A. Continue the cut process.

When your envelope is finished remove the mat from the machine by pressing the load/unload button. Remove the cardstock from the mat by flipping the mat over and bending it back slightly to release the cardstock.

To assemble the envelope, begin folding on the score lines. Bring in the two side flaps to the center of the envelope.

Crease the envelope side flaps with the scraper tool

Add glue to the two side flaps.

Add glue to the side flaps for how to make an envelope

Fold up the long flap onto the side flaps and press.

Hold the glued flaps in place until they dry for how to make an envelope

Bend over the top flap and you are done. This is what my assembled cash envelope looks like.

A woman's hands holding a rectangular green envelope with a grid for recording expenses on the exterior as part of the How to Make an Envelope tutorial

STEP 3: SHOW IT OFF

And here’s a look at some of the beautiful envelopes I made from my collection! You can make them all different colors and sizes. I especially love the fancy ones with cutouts.

A group of handmade envelopes of different sizes and shapes with decoratively cut closures from the how to make an envelope tutorial

There’s just something so special and thoughtful about giving someone a homemade card in a homemade envelope with a personalized sticker! It really shows you care and took the time to make something just for them! I can’t wait to see all the fun envelopes you make, so please make sure to share them.

Notes

I have designed envelopes ranging in size from 4.25" x 4.25" up to 9.5" x 6". I've also included gift card envelopes and currency envelopes.

Questions About How to Make an Envelope

Can you make your own mailing envelope?

Yes, these envelopes can be mailed. But before mailing them, make sure that all of the glued edges are secure. Also, measure the dimensions and weight of your envelope and contents. Mailing envelopes that are larger or heavier than standard sizes may require more stamps.

Can I mail a tiny envelope?

Envelopes must be at least 3.5″ x 5″ to be mailed in the U.S., so just make them larger than that and you’re good to go!

What glue do they use on envelopes?

Usually, envelope glue is usually made of gum arabic, which is a type of tree sap! We don’t have that available, so I recommend that you seal the top flap, bottom flap, and side flaps with craft glue, double-sided tape, or stickers. I don’t recommend using a glue stick.

Do envelopes have to be flat?

If you want to be able to mail your envelopes, they must be thinner than .25″ and can’t have flaps or other things popping up.

How many stamps do I need for an envelope?

The number of stamps needed to mail an envelope depends on which size card and custom envelope you made. Check with your post office for an exact price.

What else can I make envelopes out of?

Well, pretty much any type of paper! I’ve seen envelopes made from wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, wall calendars, old magazine pages, and simple printer paper. If you want to mail your homemade envelopes, use a sturdy kind of paper.

I want to make more cards and envelopes!

HOORAY! Luckily, I have lots of designs for you, like fancy wedding envelopes, Christmas cards, a birthday card, greeting cards, cute heart origami envelopes, and so many more!

Which font did you use for the envelope system grid?

I used Cricut Sans in size 7. My words fit perfectly in the grid using a Cricut Fine-Point Pen, but every machine and pen combination is different, so try a test.

Get my free SVG files to learn how to make an envelope!

I’d love to see how you use my tutorial on how to make envelopes! If you make an envelope, please share a photo in our Facebook group, email it to me at [email protected], or tag me on social media with #jennifermaker.

Love,

JenniferMaker.com

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