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
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. Jubilant Watercolor Lemons Mail Art
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 the Jubilant Watercolor Lemons Mail Art Tutorial.
3. Lettering Composition Hand Lettered Envelope
This delightfully “busy” envelope features serif lettering, sans serif lettering, and just a smidge of pointed pen. I found the inspiration for it in the Lettering Composition Handbook included in Nico Ng’s 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
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) article.
5. Watercolor Henna Printable Mail Art
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
I love the look of the chic, ink-kissed botanicals on this envelope! In the original 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
This mail art features playful lettering at its best. I didn’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 the 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 the Shortcut Vintage Roses Mail Art Tutorial to make this envelope. It’s a quick mail art project because the roses come from a printable template! Wavy Janet Style calligraphy gives the piece an elegant touch. For more photos and details about this envelope, see the September’s Artistic Calligraphy Envelopes article.
9. Flourished Border Beauty
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
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 the ☕️ 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!
Envelope Enthusiast Treats
To spark your inspiration, TPK’s Marvelous Mail eBook and The Letter Writer’s Complete Resource are 25% off through this Sunday, May 28th. In the Marvelous Mail eBook, you’ll find copious mail art examples, tutorials, address guidelines templates, and more. The eBook is lovely gateway into this world of decorated envelopes that feature a variety of different themes! The Letter Writer’s Complete Resource hones in on motivating you to write personal correspondence. It has a birthday tracker, prompts, record-keeping tools, and four lovely pages of envelope liner patterns.
To get the discount, type the code ARTENV25 in the “Apply Gift Card” field at checkout (then, click on the “Apply Gift Card” button). The code is valid through this Sunday, May 28th. Happy mailing!
GET THE LETTER WRITER’S COMPLETE RESOURCE
I hope that something in this artistic envelopes collection inspires you! Thanks so much for reading, and have a fabulous holiday weekend.
Warmly,
