As you can probably imagine, I have a reputation among family and friends for sending envelopes that are usually more glitzy than the contents contained inside. Since I send so much snail mail, I am always looking for new and unique ways to address an envelope. Yesterday, I partitioned off a few hours to come up with a few singular styles that you’ll be able to use in your snail mail endeavors, too. {Just in time for sending holiday cards, right?}
1. The Margaret
To create this style, you’ll need:
- A gel pen {such as a Pilot G2} or a ballpoint pen
- A knowledge of how to make faux calligraphy {read this tutorial}
- Ruler or straight edge and pencil {optional}
Begin by writing out your recipient’s name. Try to orient it so the name is closer to the right edge than the left. You can see that I added a big tail to my last letter to achieve a little more length.
{I like using Kaitlin style calligraphy because it’s super easy, and you can over- or under-correct letters to make sure your calligraphy turns out straight.}
Next, use the faux calligraphy technique to fill in the downstrokes.
Here’s what you’ll end up with:
If you’re using a ruler and pencil, draw a simple, straight line about two inches away from the side of the envelope.
Make sure you have the recipient’s address at hand … because we’re going to do something a little weird with how we write it.
Okay, the secret trick with the Margaret style is we are going to write the address, letter by letter, backwards. That’s why it’s good to have your address at hand … sometimes it’s difficult to spell things backwards in your head. Much easier to look at the address for reference!
Start by writing the last letter of the first line of the address nearly flush with the guide line you made. {I like to leave space between the pencil guideline and the letters so I can erase the line immediately after writing out the address with no fear of smudging.}
And keep writing …
I’m having you do the address backwards for two reasons. The first {and most important} is this way you can truly ensure your address is aligned to the right. The second reason is writing like this lends almost a “typewriter” look to your letters. When you write regularly, you tend to have the letters work together, resulting in a cohesive look. If you write backwards, the letters lose that harmony, which actually looks pretty cool.
And that’s it! The only note I would add is if you’re stumped on how to make the little sans serif letters, write a few out in a font like Helvetica on the computer and try to emulate them. Or just use your own style of letters. It’s your envelope and you can do whatever the heck you want with it.
2. The Lawrence
To create this style, you’ll need:
- White calligraphy ink {I use Winsor & Newton}
- Oblique Calligraphy Pen {I use the Brause Rose nib}
- Straight Calligraphy Pen {I use the Brause EF66 nib}
- Two circular objects, one larger and one smaller
- Pencil + eraser
Or, if you’re not comfortable creating calligraphy yet, you’ll just need:
- Opaque white gel pen {such as Sakura Gellyroll}
- Knowledge of faux calligraphy
- Two circular objects, one larger and one smaller
- Pencil + eraser
Begin by tracing around the larger circular object. I found a spool of ribbon that worked great, but you could use a cup, a coaster, a CD or DVD … whatever, really.
Next, center your smaller object inside your tracing of the larger object. I had another spool of ribbon that fit the bill.
That should leave you with two circular lines:
Now, use your oblique pen and white ink or your white gel pen {and the faux calligraphy technique} to create calligraphy inside those two lines. Your calligraphy will be your recipient’s name/s.
You will probably run into the problem of the names not making a full circle.
No biggie; in this case, I would encourage taking advantage of our old space-filling friend, the über-simple laurel branch. Just draw a few almost-connected lines that fan out …
… and add in some little leaves.
Taa-daa!
Now, use your pencil and a ruler or straight edge to make lines inside the circle to write your address on. I made five lines: two for the street address, two for the city/state, and one for the zip.
I used a kitschy serif font that came out of my head. Feel free to mimic it, or mimic a computer font. If you’re using calligraphy pens, use your straight holder for this.
Once you’re finished, wait a few minutes for the ink to dry, then gently erase your guidelines. {If you’ve used a gel pen to create the Lawrence style, wait a few hours to erase … otherwise, welcome to Smudge City. You’d be safest to let it sit overnight.}
This is what you’ll end up with — perfect for the holidays! Note, however, if you use a square envelope like this, you’ll need to put extra postage on it. USPS machines can’t process the non-standard envelope shape, so they have to do an extra step {or something}. I believe this also applies to countries outside the US, but you should double-check to be sure.
3. The Art Deco {Inspired by this very lovely envelope}
To create this style, you’ll need:
- Knowledge of how to create watercolor calligraphy {see this tutorial}
- Straight calligraphy pen with Brause EF66 nib
- Ruler and pencil {optional}
Or, hey, just create something like this with a regular gel or ballpoint pen. Why not?
I began by drawing a vertical line on the left for my little vertical design, and horizontal lines for the address on the right.
I then drew a swirly vertical design. Feel free to mimic this one, or make your own.
Next, I wrote the recipient’s name, using a 1920’s-inspired font that I made up just now. Use whatever font you want, though!
When I was finished with the address, I went back to the left side of the envelope and wrote “Please Send To” to visually balance the envelope out. I waited a few minutes, then erased my guidelines … pretty simple!
4. The Wave
Here’s what you’ll need to create this style:
- Oblique calligraphy pen {I use the Brause EF66 nib}
- Whatever ink you want {I use Speedball India ink}
- Knowledge of Kaitlin style calligraphy
Or, just use a ballpoint or gel pen and faux calligraphy in the Kaitlin style.
Begin by writing your recipient’s name in Kaitlin style, but make your letter connections longer than normal. Be sure and connect the first letter to the left edge of the envelope.
Connect the last letter to the right edge of the envelope, as well. The point of the Wave style is to look like a wave in the ocean, kinetic but harmonious.
Use the same technique for the subsequent address lines. If there’s no way to connect a letter or number to the envelope edge, simply draw a wavy line, as I have done with the first and last numbers in the zip code.
5. The Banner
Here’s what you need to create this style:
- Straight calligraphy pen {I use the Brause EF66 nib}
- Whatever ink you want {I use Winsor & Newton}
- Knowledge of how to draw a banner {see this tutorial}
Or just use a regular pen! Whatever you’re comfortable with works for this style {and every style}.
Begin by drawing a banner.
Now, write whatever you want in that banner. Obviously, I wrote “Please Deliver To”, and you could do a variation of that — but you could also get playful and label your recipient. Like: “The Pulchritudinous Miss”, “The Talented Mr.”, “My Favorite Sister” … and so on and so forth.
Then, use any font you want to write out the address. I have no idea what this is, but it came out of my head and you’re welcome to imitate it.
At this point, the envelope looked empty to me.
And what better way to fill emptiness than with a few birds? I just winged it {haha, no pun intended!} on creating them; but the hand-drawn banner tutorial should help you figure out how to make a flying bird. A nest is pretty easy, and the tree branch is basically a few a lines with leaves. Anyway, The illustration was an afterthought to fill up space, so you should feel free to come up with your own space-filling illustration.
So, there you go: fun and unique ways to address an envelope!
Now, get out there in the world and make someone’s mail box pretty. If you’re ready to take the leap to learn modern calligraphy to use on your own unique envelopes, try out these worksheets:
If you make an envelope you’re proud of, feel free to share it on the TPK Facebook or Instagram! {Be sure and blur out or Photoshop the recipient’s address for privacy.}
Thanks again for reading; my immense appreciation for you and your creativity is the reason I keep blogging {and keep enjoying blogging!}. So: thank you for your interest and for following TPK!
XO,
I love the “kitschy serif font” that you made out of your head. Can you make it on a worksheet?
I like that one, too — that’s a great idea!
great work.
Amazing! I’m so glad to have found your blog!
Very nice post. I love the font and that they are best sized. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the post!
I showed these to my husband, who is a letter carrier, because they were beautiful. He said that, most likely, the Lawrence would most likely returned to sender a lot for being illegible. The Wave would most likely be second in returns. The other three just fine!
Wonderful to have a carrier’s point of view! I’ve actually sent the Lawrence twice in a square envelope with vintage stamps {so I think that’s probably a triple whammie against the envelope!} with smooth sailing! I was happy when both recipients confirmed that the letter had arrived. It seems that as long as the address itself is written legibly, everything is good to go! 🙂 With The Wave — I can definitely see that! I’ve used it once in watercolor calligraphy to send a letter to Britain, and it arrived at its destination {I can’t say I wasn’t just a little bit surprised}. Ultimately, your husband would probably agree that it ultimately depends on the postal workers the letter encounters between its origin and destination, and it never hurts to make sure everything is very legible!
These are beautiful ways to write envelopes. Have you gotten approval from the post office? One problem I’ve had is that if the mailman cannot read it legibly, it gets sent back, or goes into a lost file. Just wondering if you “address” that issue at all?
Beautiful suggestions, I hope to try them all….
Hi Mary!
This is a question I get asked relatively often, and the truth is, the only time I’ve ever had a letter sent back was when it was in my “normal” handwriting (kind of insulting, haha)! It was a rent check, and our landlord — who, thankfully, didn’t mind — passed it off as the post office having an “off day”:
I have sent all of these styles and many harder to decipher ones through the post office with no problem whatsoever. I think the landlord’s explanation of the post office having an “off day” may explain your problem. I’d also just try to make sure everything is legible, even if it’s written in a unique way. I always take pains to ensure the zip code is written legibly, since that’s read by machines.
So: in answer to your question, these styles have not explicitly gotten approval from the post office. However, I have “tested” all of them at one point or another, and they have all reached their destinations! That’s approval enough for me. 🙂
Hopefully this input helps!
What fab tutorials! These envelopes are stunning! Thanks so much for sharing.
It’s my pleasure; I love figuring out new ways to make unique envelope calligraphy/art. 🙂 I’m glad you are enjoying the tutorials — hopefully they come in handy!
My goal is to attempt to address future letters in each of these styles. How awesome for your recipients to see such a stunning envelope looking back at them! Gah! You’re amazing! Thank you for sharing these tutorials so freely on your blog. I know you could be charging us for this but I appreciate that you share your knowledge freely and readily, with such detailed descriptions and photos.
It’s truly my pleasure! It’s a really satisfying feeling to make something beautiful for someone to enjoy, and I think sending out pretty envelopes is an easy, cost-effective way to make a day a bit brighter. I’m planning on writing a couple more letters for the This Letter Saves Lives campaign using these styles. 🙂 My favorite is still the Lawrence!
i just loved this tutorial! I had the occasion to address a birthday card for my oldest, best friend and used a modified Lawrence. I was so pleased with it, and I think she will be very surprised to get such an artsy envelope. Thank you! Headed to Pinterest to follow you.
I love the Lawrence! I just used it today for some model photos. 🙂 I’m so glad that you were able to garner some inspiration out of this blog post. And thank you for following on Pinterest — the best {and often remarkably inspirational/productive!} time suck in the world!
Hi Lindsey! I love your work and tutorials- they are so inspiring! I have a general question about envelope addressing- every time I try to do an envelope I have serious bleeding issues. I’m currently using Higgins Eternal but have also tried Speedball with similarly disappointing results. Is it my ink? nibs? or paper that is the problem?
Thank you in advance!
Juliana
Hi Juliana!
I have always had bad luck with the Higgins — but the Speedball I haven’t had any issues with. So: let’s rule that out as the problem. I personally have noticed that nibs all seem to bleed {or not bleed!} the same, so I don’t think they would be the issue, either.
With near certainty, I am going to guess that the issue is the paper. For this reason, I always try to work on high-quality envelopes (at least 70 lb.) — but sometimes a client has purchased specific envelopes they want you to use that aren’t as nice as you need. So, what I would do is add a couple of drops of gum arabic to your ink {available in craft stores like Michael’s, usually near the oil paints} in order to thicken the ink up. As a general rule, the thicker the ink is, the less problems you’ll have with bleeding, regardless of the paper quality. 🙂 Your problem with the paper is the fibers are “hungry” and absorb the ink as quickly as you put it on the paper. High-quality papers have fibers that don’t absorb the ink very quickly; this prevents the ink from bleeding and also ensures that after it dries, it’s still very vibrant. Try writing on regular printer paper vs. watercolor paper and you’ll see what I mean.
I really hope this helps — let me know if not!
Thanks Lindsey, I really appreciate your response! I’ll try out the gum arabic and keep you posted! 🙂
Please let me know! As a disclaimer, I haven’t personally used the gum arabic, but I am (un?)lucky enough to have some pretty congealed India ink, and that works great on the more fibrous envelopes I have because its tendency to bleed is practically zero. It seems that the gum arabic works as a thickener, so you can work the ink up to the viscosity you need it to be. I’d really love to hear what your experience using it is!
I love this so much! Lately I seem to only be able to use my calligraphy on envelopes, so I can’t wait to test these out.
(also, how are you so awesome at creating new scripts? I can’t think of any new variations on my handwriting. Is it a design thing that my math brain will never be able to do?)
Hmm … I’m trying to think of how I create new scripts. Usually they evolve out of a mess-up, or I’ll see a computer font on Fontsquirrel or Dafont that I want to mimic a hand-written version of. The downside is since I’m always switching it up, I don’t really have one distinctive style of handwriting.
Just a thought — since you are so creative/artistic and good at math, maybe when you have time you can mess with creating computer fonts. That’s something I would love to do when I have time, too!
I’d love to see the fruits of your inspiration on Instagram — I’m sure your envelope are going to be gorgeous!
These are just perfect!! I love them all!! Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
You’re so welcome! I know that you’ll put the inspiration to good use; looking forward to seeing photos if you take any! 😉
Oh, that’s just gorgeous! Thanks for the tutorial Lindsey 🙂
My pleasure — thank *you* for the kind words! It was a really fun post to write. I love thinking up ways to surprise people with pretty envelopes!
All this cuteness just exploded my brain! This blog puts me on inspiration overload every time. It’s almost unhealthy. 🙂
I’m so glad to hear that! I’m totally using the Lawrence next time I send snail mail … that’s probably my favorite. They’re all really fun to make, though!
Stunning as usual, Lindsey! So many gorgeous images to pin and inspire 🙂
Thanks, Maritza! Your Pinterest boards (particularly the DIY Inspiration and Modern Calligraphy) are among my favorite — so that’s a big compliment coming from such a great curator!