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  • Welcome to TPK! This is your first of 2 free articles. For unlimited access to tutorials and articles, join TPK Premium for less than the cost of a latte.

    ๐Ÿ’Œ My 10 Favorite Artistic Envelopes: May 2022-May 2023

    May 25, 2023

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Mail Art, Roundup

    Today, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite artistic envelopes from the past year. From a bold and bright lemon illustration to a delicate dove motif, there’s something to inspire everyone!

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    10 Fabulous Artistic Envelopes

    Artistic envelopes are a fantastic project for anyone who loves lettering, calligraphy, or illustration. Each envelope becomes a mini canvas where you can freely experiment with new techniques, colors, and designs. It’s a delightful way to express your creativity without investing too much time, and the end result is a personalized gift that never fails to elicit a smile! In this article, I have curated my ten favorite artistic envelopes from the past year. As I looked through these photos, I couldn’t help but feel inspired, and I hope you’ll experience that same artistic spark.


    1. Intertwined Script and Block Lettering Mail Art

    Block Lettering and Interlaced Script Mail Art | The Postman's Knock

    I love the interplay of a flourished white name with heavy gold block lettering on a black envelope. You can read about where the idea for this beauty came from and the supplies you need in order to make it in my A Mail Art Geek Out Session article.


    2.ย Jubilant Watercolor Lemons Mail Art

    Jubilant Watercolor Lemons Mail Art Tutorial

    When you look at a bright bundle of lemons, you just can’t help but feel happy. This envelope combines vintage paper, a loopy calligraphy style, and a cheerful lemon illustration to make an irresistible burst of mailable joy. Learn how to make it in theย Jubilant Watercolor Lemons Mail Art Tutorial.


    3. Lettering Composition Hand Lettered Envelope

    Hand-lettered Mail Art

    This delightfully โ€œbusyโ€ envelope features serif lettering, sans serif lettering, and just a smidge of pointed pen. I found the inspiration for it in theย Lettering Composition Handbookย included in Nico Ngโ€™sย lettering composition ruler bundle. Find more information and creation tips in the Calming Calligraphy Mail Art (to Get Through Teething) article.


    4. Vintage Banner Calligraphy Mail Art

    Vintage banner calligraphy mail art

    I used The Ultimate Vintage Banner Illustration Tutorial as the starting point for this intricate envelope art. The components are simple: a white envelope, iron gall ink, and just a touch of gold watercolor. Find additional information in the Calming Calligraphy Mail Art (to Get Through Teething)ย article.


    5.ย Watercolor Henna Printable Mail Art

    Watercolor Henna Mail Art Template

    Would you believe that this envelope is a free printable? Print it off on sturdy paper such as 32# laserjet, then cut, fold, and add an address — preferably using red, orange, and yellow watercolor calligraphy. Find the printable + details in the (Free!) Watercolor Henna Printable Mail Art Template article.


    6. Inky Poppies Envelope

    Inky Poppies Mail Art

    I love the look of the chic, ink-kissed botanicals on this envelope! In the originalย Chic Inky Poppies Mail Art Tutorial, I used my finger to smudge the ink. However, for this envelope, I used a paper towel to achieve results that are just as satisfying. You can find more information about this artistic envelope’s creation in the Two Hours, Four Artistic Envelopes article.


    7. Breezy Hand-Lettered Envelope

    Pretty hand-lettered mail art

    This mail art features playful lettering at its best. I didnโ€™t put much thought into kerning (letter spacing) or letter style, which teeters between serif and sans serif. Instead, I just had fun and loosely used theย Breezy Hand-Lettering Tutorial as my inspiration! For more details and a supply list, see the A Mail Art Geek Out Session article.


    8. Red + Yellow Roses Envelope

    I used theย Shortcut Vintage Roses Mail Art Tutorialย to make this envelope. Itโ€™s a quick mail art project because the roses come from a printable template! Wavyย Janet Style calligraphy gives the piece an elegant touch. For more photos and details about this envelope, see theย September’s Artistic Calligraphy Envelopes article.


    9. Flourished Border Beauty

    Flourished Border Envelope

    This artistic envelope is all about that lusciously flourished boulder. Pair those elegant flourishes with a Cocktail Casual style calligraphy address, and you’ve got an envelope that feels both casual and elegant. You can learn how to make the border in the Three Ways to Make a Calligraphy Border Design article.


    10. Citrusy Australian Envelope

    Watercolor Citrus Mail Art

    This envelope features a cheerful red, yellow, and orange color scheme. Its border showcases a simple citrus motif. No ink was used to create any of the components; it’s all watercolor! To learn more, see theย โ˜•๏ธ Calligraphy On the Go: Mail Art at a Coffee Shop article.

    If you think that making artistic envelopes is just for avid letter writers, rest assured that anyone can put together a pretty piece of mail art. I send plenty of things in decorated envelopes: cards, quick notes, and even folded-up cotton cleaning cloths. If you don’t want to send your art to a loved one or an acquaintance, try whipping up something for a More Love Letters recipient. They’ll enjoy seeing that envelope in their bundle just as much as you enjoy making it!


    I hope that something in this artistic envelopes collection inspires you! Thanks so much for reading, and have a fabulous holiday weekend.

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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About the author

Hi, Iโ€™m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postmanโ€™s Knock (TPK). Since 2012, the TPK Blog has been a vibrant creative space filled with tutorials and lessons on modern calligraphy, hand lettering, and illustration. After publishing The Calligraphy Book, I wanted to elevate the quality of content even furtherโ€”so I launched TPK Premium. You can join here to receive access to some of the internet’s best creative inspiration and project tutorials.

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3 responses

  1. Teresa Avatar
    Teresa
    July 3, 2023

    These are all gorgeous. My favorite is the one with the lemons. Any recipient would be blown away to find one of these in their mailbox.

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  2. brealbina Avatar
    brealbina
    May 28, 2023

    I love all your artwork.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      May 29, 2023

      You are so kind — thank you!

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Sometimes, the best creative projects are the ones Sometimes, the best creative projects are the ones that donโ€™t go exactly as planned. This tree art was made with watercolors and a strawโ€”yes, a straw! The branches take shape as you blow paint across the page, and from there, itโ€™s all about adding leaves and a few cheerful bluebirds. ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ’™

This technique is relaxing, a little unpredictable, and really satisfying. I hope it gives you a gentle creative reset, especially if youโ€™ve been deep in detail-heavy work lately. ๐Ÿ’›

You can find the full tutorial on the blog (with video + step-by-step photos)โ€”just search โ€œSoothing Organic Tree Artโ€ on thepostmansknock.com, or tap the link in bio!

#watercolortutorial #watercolorillustration #artproject #creativebreak #strawpainting #birdillustration #calligraphyandillustration #tpkstyle #slowcreativity #arttimelapse #artforkidsandadults #natureinspiredart
Something magical happens when you sit down with s Something magical happens when you sit down with someone who speaks your creative language โœจ That was definitely the case when my friend Jess of @greenleafblue joined me for a live chat with TPK Premium members! We talked about everything from watercolor quirks to sketchbooks as memory-keepers, creative balance, and the joy of going analog in a digital world.

Jess makes some of the most beautiful handmade watercolors youโ€™ll ever findโ€”but her real superpower might be how she talks about creativity with honesty and depth. I walked away from our conversation feeling grounded, inspired, and ready to make something. I think you will too.

๐ŸŽง You can listen to the conversation podcast-style or watch the full videoโ€”link in profile; then look for the May 13th article!

#greenleafandblueberry #watercolorpainting #sketchbookinspiration #creativelife #analogart #arttalk #artpodcast #tpkpremium #creativeprocess #makersgonnamake
Where do you go when you need a break? Whereโ€™s y Where do you go when you need a break? Whereโ€™s your โ€œKokomoโ€? 

Hernรกn and I havenโ€™t been back to Lima, his birthplace (and where most of his family still lives), since early 2018. Two small kids and a pandemic later, it seemed like the right time. After returning from an 8-day stay in *stunning* Miraflores, a district in Lima, Iโ€™m feeling rejuvenated; creatively, emotionally, and physically. Itโ€™s been a long time since Iโ€™ve taken a vacation, and I had forgotten how important it is to step away from everyday life for a while! 

Itโ€™s easy to put off taking a big break or a vacation when you are stuck in the minutiae of everyday life. Iโ€™m curious to hear what place motivates you to step away from the routine and get a mental reset! 

#PeruTravel #MirafloresLima #LimaThroughMyEyes #FamilyAndTravel #TravelToReconnect #CreativeReset #MentalReset #RestIsProductive #SlowTravelMoments #TakeABreak #InspiredByTravel #CreativeRecharge #MeaningfulTravel #WhereToNext #WhereDoYouGo #TravelForPerspective
Hereโ€™s a fun little trick for making personalize Hereโ€™s a fun little trick for making personalized wrapping paper: just grab a big sheet of paper and a bold marker (I used an oil-based Sharpie I had lying around). Write the recipientโ€™s name and a greeting over and over on the diagonalโ€”starting each new line right where the last one left off. Once youโ€™ve filled the page, flip it over and wrap your gift. Instant charm. ๐Ÿ–‹๐ŸŽ #giftwrapping #diywrappingpaper #handmadegiftwrap #calligraphyideas #markerlettering #easydiygiftwrap #personalizedgifts #giftwrappingidea #creativewrapping #letteringlove #moderncalligraphy #diygiftwrap #tpkstyle
One of the coolest things you can do with a pointe One of the coolest things you can do with a pointed pen isnโ€™t write a word โ€” itโ€™s build a picture with nothing but flourishes. ๐Ÿชถโœจ

This tropical parrot was such a joy to create, and TPKโ€™s newest worksheet walks you through how to make your own version step by step. Whether youโ€™re tracing to get a feel for the movement or freehand flourishing the final piece, itโ€™s both relaxing and skill-building โ€” a nice balance of creative play and pointed pen precision.

You donโ€™t need to be a pointed pen expert to try it. Just take it stroke by stroke, give yourself permission to go slow, and enjoy the process. ๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ

๐Ÿ“ฉ DM me if youโ€™d like the link to the worksheet! Itโ€™s free for TPK Premium members, $6 for non-members. 

#moderncalligraphy #pointedpenpractice #calligraphydrills #flourishingpractice #calligraphyart #flourishfriday #calligraphyworksheet #tpkstyle #calligraphycommunity #parrotart #calligraphyproject #dippenlove #creativepractice #flourishedartwork #beginnercalligraphy #intermediatecalligraphy #tropicalvibesinink
Yes, thatโ€™s a shoe. And yes, itโ€™s made entirel Yes, thatโ€™s a shoe. And yes, itโ€™s made entirely with calligraphic flourishes. ๐Ÿ˜„

If youโ€™d enjoy using a sneaker as a calligraphy practice drill, let me know in the comments! Iโ€™m happy to make it happen. ๐Ÿ‘Ÿโœจ Suggestions for other motifs are also welcome and appreciated!

#moderncalligraphy #calligraphydrills #flourishingpractice #calligraphyfun #creativecalligraphy #flourishfriday #calligraphyvideo #tpkstyle #letteringcommunity #dippenlove #artmotif
Your first thought watching this might be: โ€œWhy Your first thought watching this might be: โ€œWhy all the fuss for an envelope?โ€ โœ‰๏ธโœจ

Try it yourself and youโ€™ll see why. ๐Ÿ˜‰ This kind of envelope is something I create for my own relaxationโ€”itโ€™s just a bonus that the recipient gets to enjoy it, too! Thereโ€™s nothing better than settling in with a great podcast ๐ŸŽง or show ๐Ÿ“บ, prepping your ink ๐Ÿ–‹๏ธ, and slowly building up a design like this one.

If your next thought is, โ€œHow would I even begin to make something like this?โ€โ€”well, Iโ€™ve got you. ๐Ÿ’› This timelapse is pulled from a full 30-minute video lesson that walks you through the whole process, from layout to flourishes to gold details. You can find it on the TPK Blog (link in bio โ†’ โ€œHow to Make a Fabulously Flourished Calligraphy Envelopeโ€). Have fun with it! ๐Ÿ’Œ

#calligraphyvideo #flourishedenvelope #mailart #pointedpencalligraphy #moderncalligraphy #envelopeart #calligraphytutorial #snailmailrevolution #relaxinghobby #tpkpremium #envelopeinspo #happyhandwriting #calligraphyinspiration #goldandwhite #calligraphypractice
โœจ The first step to growing creatively? Letting โœจ The first step to growing creatively? Letting go of whatโ€™s holding you back. โœจ

In the latest TPK article, Iโ€™m exploring 8 common myths about calligraphyโ€”the kinds of quiet beliefs that convince us weโ€™re not โ€œartsyโ€ enough, donโ€™t have the time, or that messy handwriting means weโ€™re not cut out for it. ๐Ÿ–‹ Letโ€™s rewrite that story (literallyโ€”with pen in hand!).

Hereโ€™s your gentle permission to begin. ๐Ÿ’Œ

๐Ÿ”— Link in bio โ†’ Tap โ€œ8 Calligraphy Myths That Might Be Holding You Backโ€ on the TPK Blog.

#calligraphycommunity #calligraphyinspiration #moderncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphymyths #brauserose #calligraphypractice #learntocalligraphy #creativeconfidence #obliquepen #greeninkmagic
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