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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.

    10 Drool-Worthy Hand Lettered Envelope Examples

    February 23, 2023

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Hand-Lettering, Mail Art, Roundup

    Think you have to use pointed pen calligraphy to make an eye-catching envelope? Think again. Today, I’ve got 10 hand lettered envelope photos that will motivate you to get out any pen and let the creative juices flow!

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    "George Style" Printable Hand-Lettering Exemplar | The Postman's Knock
    This hand lettered envelope stands out because of its unique orientation, postage stamp collage, and George Style lettering address.

    I love hand lettering because it’s so accessible. Anyone can do it with any sort of writing utensil, and as long as your letters are legible, the lettering is a success. Today, I’m showing you 10 hand lettered envelope examples that will motivate you to get creative this weekend! Use this inspiration to make a fabulous envelope for a birthday card, a letter (More Love Letters, anyone?), or just a note to say hi!

    1. 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. With the exception of the calligraphy bit, I used a black gel pen (Pilot G2 05) to write all of the letters.

    Hand-lettered Mail Art
    The lettering layout for this envelope was created using a 5″ composition ruler. For lettering layout tips, see this tutorial.

    2. Breezy Hand Lettered Envelope

    I love white ink with colored pencil “shadows” on dark paper! This envelope features mostly serif lettering with just a smidge of cursive and calligraphy. To learn how to write using a shadow technique like the one shown here, see this tutorial.

    Breezy Hand-Lettering Tutorial | The Postman's Knock
    You can find instructions for using this colored pencil shadow technique in TPK’s Breezy Hand-Lettering Tutorial.

    3. “Juicy” Brush Pen Envelope

    In this envelope, brush pen calligraphy, sans serif lettering, white gel pen accents, and pencil shadows join forces! The result is an eye-catching, almost shiny-looking lettering. Find a tutorial over how to make lettering like this here.

    "Juicy" Brush Pen Calligraphy Tutorial | The Postman's Knock
    You can learn how to make lettering with this colorful, fun effect in the “Juicy” Brush Pen Calligraphy Tutorial.

    4. Lasso Lettering Envelope

    In Lasso lettering, serif letters and flourishes combine! While I especially like Lasso letters on map projects (see: California, Brazil, Ethiopia), it also makes a fun addition to envelopes like the one below.

    Lasso Lettering Hand Lettered Mail Art
    The Lasso Lettering Worksheet will teach you how to write in this playful hand lettering style.

    5. Hissing Cat Hand Lettered Mail Art

    Yes, the star of this envelope is technically a calligraphed cat. But, a lot of this motif’s personality comes from the recipient’s name, written in fabulous Flytrap lettering! You can find a tutorial over how to make a mail art envelope like this here.

    Hissing Cat Halloween Envelope Tutorial
    File away this mail art concept for Halloween! It’s delightfully spooky and fresh.

    6. Circus Hand Lettered Envelope

    Circus lettering is probably the most labor-intensive hand lettering style on the TPK website, but the results are worth it. Your eye is immediately drawn to “MONICA” when you look at the envelope below! (Plus, check out that fun and funky address.)

    "Circus Lettering" Mail Art
    You can learn how to write Circus lettering here.

    I can’t help but share a collection of Circus lettering envelopes that TPK reader Abby S. created, too! Check out how she paired her Circus letters with casual alphabet characters to write her recipients’ addresses:

    Abby S. (@thescriptedpost on Instagram) used Circus Style lettering to make these *fabulous* envelopes.
    Photo credit: Abby S. (@thescriptedpost on Instagram)

    7. Perfectly Stitched Envelope

    I used a free printable template and Stitches Style lettering to make this simple envelope. A stamp collage helps to add artistic interest.

    You can find a free printable lettering template (plus instructions for using it) here.

    8. Cursive + Print Remix Envelope

    Is it cursive? Is it print? It’s both and neither. In this envelope, cursive entry and exit strokes “hug” simple Sans Serif letters. You can find tips for making lettering like this here.

    Four Hand Lettering Ideas to Try This Weekend | The Postman's Knock
    For tips over combining cursive and print to make lettering like this, see TPK’s Four Hand Lettering Ideas to Try This Weekend article.

    9. Diagonal George

    In this envelope, vibrant orange colored pencil helps this George Style lettering to complement the circus-themed postage stamp. Try a diagonal orientation to liven things up!

    How to Develop an Artistic Hand-Lettering Style | The Postman's Knock
    You can learn how to write George Style lettering with this worksheet set.

    10. Geometric Lines Envelope

    George Style lettering shines again in this envelope! I love how the 10¢ postage stamps and lines at the bottom help to make the piece stand out. You can find a tutorial over how to make an envelope like this one here.

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock
    If you like the concept behind this simple envelope, see this step-by-step tutorial.

    Looking at the photos in this list makes me feel motivated to make a fabulous hand lettered envelope for a birthday card. (In particular, I’m feeling the “Breezy” lettering from #2.) I suspect that, as a result, you’ll see another hand lettered envelope appear on the TPK Blog here shortly! In the meantime, I hope that seeing these examples makes you feel inspired, too. Thanks so much for reading TPK, and have a lovely and creative weekend!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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About The Postman’s Knock (TPK)

Hi, I’m Lindsey Bugbee, the illustrator, calligrapher, and author behind The Postman’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 further—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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96 responses

  1. Pip Avatar
    Pip
    February 27, 2023

    These are so creative! Wonderful examples of how to make even the envelope a gift to the recipient.

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 27, 2023

      Thank you so much! I am so happy to hear that you enjoy!

      Log in to Reply
  2. Tera Sugimoto Avatar
    Tera Sugimoto
    February 27, 2023

    Absolutely stunning! I love your work!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 27, 2023

      Thank you so much! I appreciate that!

      Log in to Reply
  3. Julie Avatar
    Julie
    February 27, 2023

    These are very creative! I love the vertical orientation on the first one, as well as the outline of Texas. These would be fun to receive!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 27, 2023

      Most definitely! I am so happy that you are enjoying!

      Log in to Reply
  4. Jenny Avatar
    Jenny
    February 27, 2023

    All lovely work, but I especially like the ombre effect with the brush pens!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 27, 2023

      That one is very neat isn’t it?! Thank you!

      Log in to Reply
  5. Despoina Avatar
    Despoina
    February 27, 2023

    I love the first one soo much 😍😍 can’t wait to try it 😍

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 27, 2023

      Good luck! You are going to go wonderful! 😊

      Log in to Reply
  6. Delyn Drake Avatar
    Delyn Drake
    February 27, 2023

    Do your gorgeous mail art envelopes always make it through the USPS system?

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 27, 2023

      Typically they do! Just ensure that you have the appropriate stamps and make sure that the writing is VERY legible. If not, they can occasionally be returned. Good luck!

      Log in to Reply
  7. Gina Avatar
    Gina
    February 27, 2023

    I would love to try some of these – especially if I win the lettering guide contest 🙂

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 27, 2023

      I encourage you to do so! Best of luck! 😊

      Log in to Reply
  8. A. Good Avatar
    A. Good
    February 27, 2023

    Beautiful work and inspiring ideas!

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 27, 2023

      Thank you so much!

      Log in to Reply
  9. Sana Azadian Avatar
    Sana Azadian
    February 27, 2023

    Beautiful! I especially love the Lasso lettering envelope.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 27, 2023

      That one is great! I am so happy that you liked it!

      Log in to Reply
  10. Roxann Avatar
    Roxann
    February 27, 2023

    These all look great! My favourite is the juicy brush pen envelope. I love how colourful it is .

    Log in to Reply
    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 27, 2023

      I agree that one is very pretty! Thank you so much!

      Log in to Reply
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There is nothing like a clean, well-organized wate There is nothing like a clean, well-organized watercolor chart. I used to make watercolor chart layouts using math and grids (which, trust me, was painful for someone like me, who doesn’t *love* numbers/measuring/calculations) ... then it occurred to me that I could use Photoshop to give myself a little boost. Much less math and fretting, which for me equals much more joy! Palette is from @greenleafblue — she made it so I could have a gorgeous palette for “The Calligraphy Book”, and this color chart definitely helped to boost the aesthetic of an already stunning supply. 🎨😍

If you’re curious about this technique for making a watercolor chart, you can search the TPK website for “watercolor chart” ... there’s a detailed blog post over how to use the template method that I’m showing you here!

#watercolorpalette #watercolorchart #colorchart #watercolorpaints #artchart
An X-Acto knife (aka a hobby knife) is one of thos An X-Acto knife (aka a hobby knife) is one of those tools that is indispensable for a lot of applications. It was designed to make precise cuts, which, of course, it does well! But, you can also use it to scrape off unwanted ink smears (pro tip: after the fact, you can smooth disturbed paper fibers with a pebble), create interesting interior cuts, trim tiny details that scissors can’t reach, make stencils and templates, refine collage elements, and gently correct small drawing or calligraphy mistakes.

I have used X-Acto knives for many TPK Blog tutorials, but up until last week, I’d never written a guide that puts the X-Acto knife front and center. That guide now exists, and you can find it by visiting the link 🔗 in my profile. Be sure to watch the tutorial video!

#xactoknife #hobbyknife #papercutting #papercutart #xactoknifeart
Just back in the TPK Supplies Shop: Finetec Arabic Just back in the TPK Supplies Shop: Finetec Arabic Gold watercolor pans (and the fabulous Finetec Golds palette). ✨ Gold makes *anything* gorgeous, but use it to make a calligraphy medallion, and it’s just next-level. 🤩 (Tutorial for this particular medallion can be found in the Dancing Pen Calligraphy Medallions Worksheet Set). 

To find the golds + the worksheet, visit the link in my bio, then navigate to “Shop”. Happy weekend! 

#goldcalligraphy #goldwatercolor #pointedpencalligraphy #fineteccoliro #goldcalligraphy
Hard to fit everything in, but this was 2025 in a Hard to fit everything in, but this was 2025 in a nutshell at TPK! 🥜

This year, I loved teaching at @thehappyevercrafter’s Workshop Week and participating in @calmingcalligraphy’s World Calligraphy as Meditation Day. And seeing the TPK calligraphy kit featured in @newyorkermag’s 2025 holiday gift guide was an unexpected (and delightful) cherry on top! 🍒

So much of what happened over the past year, though, was shaped by the TPK Premium community. Their questions and feedback helped guide Hand Lettering 101, while their encouragement fueled tutorials on topics ranging from turning red wine into calligraphy ink to illustrating recipes, painting with a wedge brush, and creating greeting cards and envelope art. 💌 That same support made it possible to create new worksheets and resources that others were able to enjoy as well, which I’m very grateful for. 

For a fuller recap (with helpful links and details) I shared a 2025 reflection on the TPK blog (link in bio).

#handlettering #gracefulenvelopecontest #pointedpencalligraphy #discordcommunity #calligraphyteacher
Which is your favorite koi-themed envelope? The fi Which is your favorite koi-themed envelope? The first one (A. Moreira), which was created as a prop for “The Calligraphy Book” ... *or* the second (Nigel Wright), which was created for the photographer who took pictures of the Moreira envelope for “The Calligraphy Book”? (When I heard how much Nigel had loved the first koi envelope, I made him his own variation!) 🎏

#mailart #snailmail #mailbox #snailmailrevolution #koiart
✨ A little comparison today … because not all ✨ A little comparison today ... because not all golds behave the same.

✦ Finetec gold → bright, cheerful, and versatile
✦ Greenleaf & Blueberry faux brass → softer, muted, and stunning
✦ Yasutomo pale gold → velvety, subtle shimmer with a sensible amount of sparkle

I love having all three on hand and choosing based on the feel I want for a project. It’s tough to go wrong! ✨

#moderncalligraphy #calligraphytools #goldink #watercolorcalligraphy #letteringcommunity mailart calligraphypractice artmaterials creativeprocess handlettering
🕊️ I originally made these printable tags for 🕊️ I originally made these printable tags for gifts … but now I want them everywhere. On presents 🎁, yes; but also tucked into snail mail, sprinkled across a holiday table with happy words written inside (“joy”, “love”, “peace”), or styled on a mantle for a cozy seasonal touch 🎄. They’re simple, charming, and versatile. Find them on the TPK Blog (link in bio)!

#thepostmansknock #printableart #giftwrappingideas #snailmaillove #happymail handillustrated holidaydetails paperlove creativegifting handlettering makersofinstagram stationeryaddict thoughtfuldetails slowdownandsendmail gifttags diygifttag giftwrapping giftpresentation handwrappedgift
I experimented with using the chic poppies techniq I experimented with using the chic poppies technique (see my reel from a couple of days ago) to make pretty stationery. LOVE how it turned out! The poppies are just an elegant way to add personality and elegance to any paper good. If you’re a TPK Premium member, *definitely* check out Lesson 6 of the Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course (2025 version). In it, you’ll find a detailed video demonstration that shows you how to bring these poppies to life! ✍️

#stationery #diystationery #floralillustration #penandink #handdrawn #drawing #painting #sumiink #snailmail #mail #mailart #snailmailrevolution #happymail #mailbox #calligraphy #pointedpen #dippen #rosegoldsumi
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