In this tutorial, you’ll learn five different ways to quickly address an extraordinary, eye-catching envelope. We’ll examine techniques ranging from decoupage to watercolor calligraphy to writing backwards!
Receiving a stunningly addressed envelope can feel like finding a hidden gem among the usual mail. It’s a simple gesture that costs almost nothing but brings great joy. Today, I’ll show you five different ways to artistically address an envelope to spark a moment of delight.
Before we begin, a heads up: Tuesday (August 6th) is the last day to get TPK’s limited edition Smiley Style Calligraphy Worksheet set. Smiley Style calligraphy is a fun, bouncy style that’s featured in envelope #5 (“Funky Arrows Envelope”).
The great thing about decoupage? It’s extremely speedy. With three steps (cut, glue, write), you’ve got a delightful envelope that packs a punch with little work. Here’s what you’ll need:
Begin by picking an especially eye-catching element from a book or a magazine, then cut it out.
Use a powerful glue stick (I like UHU) to glue your graphic to the left side of the envelope. Then, use a pencil to draw wavy guidelines for calligraphy.
Next, use your guidelines to write the address in an elegant, flourished calligraphy style. This step won’t take very long because all the calligraphy is justified to the left.
Finish up with a single, tasteful postage stamp that doesn’t steal the show.
This wavy envelope uses its postage stamp’s color scheme to tie everything together. You won’t find any “real” calligraphy ink here — everything you see was written using watercolors. Here’s what you’ll need in order to make it:
To make this envelope, begin by affixing a postage stamp with an interesting color scheme to the upper right side of your envelope. Then, use Kaitlin Style calligraphy and the watercolor calligraphy technique to write the recipient’s name in all-lowercase lettering. Alternate the paint colors featured in your postage stamp to write the calligraphy.
Continue to calligraph the address, ensuring that every address line extends to both the right and left sides of the envelope.
Since this is a watercolor-based envelope, strongly consider treating it with MicroGlaze once the watercolor has dried. This will ensure that the envelope arrives in mint condition without any smudges.
This simple envelope relies on right-justified, clean lettering. You can add pizazz to it with a cool postage stamp collage. Here’s what you’ll need in order to make it:
To make this envelope, begin by writing your recipient’s name in Kaitlin Style calligraphy on the right side of the envelope. Once you’ve written the name, use a pencil to draw three guidelines underneath the calligraphy. The guidelines should each be about 3/16″ tall and 1/16″ apart.
Now comes the challenging part! Starting on the right side of the first guideline, work backwards to write the recipient’s address in a simple block lettering style (such as Sans Serif). It might be tough to think in reverse as you write, so make sure you’ve got the recipient’s address in front of you so you can reference it often!
Continue to write until you’ve got the entire address. Then, once the ink has dried, erase your pencil guidelines and add a postage stamp collage to make things interesting.
This unique envelope features a non-traditional layout. The recipient’s name is written on a circular guideline, and festive foliage completes the rest of the circle. The star of the envelope is the address, which is written in a unique lettering style. To make an envelope like this one, you’ll need:
Begin by tracing around a circular object with a pencil on your envelope. Put a second, smaller round object inside the first circle, and trace over it, too (or freehand draw a smaller circle). Then, write your recipient’s name in between those two guidelines using a flexible nib like the Brause Rose. Complete the circle with some simple laurel branches.
Next, use a parallel glider to draw straight guidelines that are about 1/16″ apart inside the circle. Use those guidelines to write the recipient’s address in the hand-lettering style of your choice (I chose Roman style lettering).
Erase your pencil lines, and you’ve got a fun and legible envelope address!
Like the Decoupaged Envelope, this envelope relies on an artistic element on the left side to give it visual interest and to ensure that calligraphy creation is a breeze. (Pro tip: left-justified calligraphy is always much quicker to write than centered calligraphy.) To make it, you’ll need:
Start by using the instructions in the Eight Hand-Drawn Arrow Designs printable to create five “Steampunk Arrows”. Each arrow should face the opposite direction of the arrow next to it.
Finish up by using bouncy Smiley Style calligraphy to write the recipient’s address. Be sure to add plenty of funky stamps to complement the steampunk theme.
I’ve used calligraphy to make countless projects, but my favorite types of calligraphy projects are still good ol’ envelopes. What can I say? They’re fun to decorate! I hope that this post inspires you to think out of the box next time you sit down to address an envelope. Remember that even mundane tasks — like paying rent — can be made fun with a bit of creativity!
Thanks for reading, and enjoy your weekend!
Warmly,
*This post contains affiliate links to Amazon
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