How to Make an Envelope Out of Paper

Learn how to make an envelope out of paper with this easy diy paper envelope step-by-step tutorial with photos.

The days of handwritten letters in the mail might be fading, but in areas like gift wrapping and gift-giving, handwritten notes are still an important part of the process.

You can buy designer paper and envelopes at stationery stores, or you can make your own!

Here’s how to make an envelope out of paper, easily and quickly.

You can use any type of paper from plain white paper, colorful scrapbook paper, or even old maps or book pages like we used in these Mod Podge ball ornaments or book page bunting garland.

There are actually two different methods described here; pick your favorite!

Step 1. Gather Supplies

Supplies Needed

Paper
Scissors
Hot Glue Gun and Glue
Paper Envelope Templates from our Free Resource Library

Step 2. Cut out envelope shapes, using the free envelope template.

Utilize fun papers like stationery, maps, book pages, scrapbook paper, and even kids’ artwork.

Step 3. The dotted lines on the template are fold lines. These tell you how to fold up the paper into an envelope.

You have two different choices, and both will result in an envelope. But I think there’s a clear winner.

OPTION ONE: You can either fold the bottom up FIRST, and then the left and right wings in second.

Or OPTION TWO: you can fold the left and right wings in FIRST, and then the bottom up second.

I think option two wins; it’s best to fold the left and right wings in FIRST, and then follow with the bottom flap second.

This gives you the cleanest looking envelope.

Step 4. Use hot glue to secure your envelopes.

Step 5. You can also cut small rectangles of paper to fit inside as a note card.

That’s it!

Once your envelope is glued and you’ve added a note inside, it’s ready to secure with washi tape or a sticker, and add to gift wrap or a floral arrangement, or maybe to tick inside a coat pocket or lunchbox.