How to Make an Envelope

Who doesn't need envelopes? Every one of us needs them, but very few of us know envelope making out of a sheet of paper. It is an easy paper folding technique and takes only a few minutes. For those of you who are interested in Origami, this will be a cakewalk. For those of you who will do this for the first time, it will be a revelation as to how simple it is.

Prior to 1845, before the invention of the first mechanized envelope creating machine, envelopes were made by hand. The first commercial envelopes were created by Madison Verde in 1876. Today, more than 400 billion envelopes are made all over the world using mechanized processes. We have so gotten used to buying envelopes from stationery shops, that envelope making is a lost art now. This article, which explains how to create an envelope, is my way of rejuvenating the lost practice of creating handmade envelopes! You will realize what wonders some simple paper folding techniques can do for you.

There are so many times, when you are urgently in need of an envelope for an emergency dispatch or sending a letter and you are out of stock. At such times, a knowledge of making envelopes can come in handy. When you make it on your own, you can give it your own personalized touch, besides saving money. You can decide on the design, the color and the dimensions. All ready-made envelopes only come in certain standard sizes, which may not be the right for you. However, when making your own envelopes, you can make them to be whichever size you want.

How to Make an Origami Envelope

There are primarily three types of envelope designs that are used as templates by designers. They are known as kite, rhombus and short arm cross designs. All of them involve the folding up of paper sides to create a rectangular envelope. Here are simple and straightforward instructions on making an envelope out of paper sheets. I believe this design is called 'Rhombus'. Before I begin, let me mention the materials you'll need. You will need a plain sheet of paper, pencil, scissors, glue and a scale, along with some spare time that you can devote to this project.

Mark the Middle Point of a Square Paper Sheet
Get a square paper sheet. Before you can begin folding it, you need to locate the exact middle point of the square. To do so, fold the diagonally opposite corners of the square paper to the center in such a fashion that the resulting folded triangles, have their bases exactly parallel to each other. Mark the point i.e. the apex at which these two folded triangles meet as the midpoint of the whole square sheet of paper. Alternatively you could determine the center through measurements using a scale.

Begin Folding Side Corners
After marking the midpoint, fold the two diagonally opposite corners again like before and finalize the folds. Press a scale on the bases of the two folded triangular corners to create a clear crease.

Fold the Third Corner and Stick It
Leave the upper corner and fold the bottom corner towards the center, such that the corner lies well above the marked midpoint and above the meeting point of both side corners.

Again crease the fold using a scale. With that your envelope is ready. All that remains is sticking the bottom fold with the side folds. With that, a rectangular enclosure with an upper flap will be created, that we call an envelope. Some people use double tape to stick the bottom flap but glue can do the job for you. Just close the upper flap to ready your envelope for use.

Make an experimental envelope first and practice till you get it right. Once you think you are adept enough, create as many as you want. With enough practice and by referring to a size chart, you will be able to make sleek, well folded and finished commercial envelopes. To make tougher envelopes, use card paper, instead of thin paper.

If Christmas is coming up you can create fancy envelopes using colored paper for sending greeting cards. See to it that you follow envelope etiquette, while sending Christmas cards, wedding invitation cards or any other such cards. People like it when you send or gift anything that has your personal touch. It shows that you have gone that extra mile to create something special for them.