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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.

    DIY Mail Art Envelope Template

    September 28, 2013

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Free Printables, Mail Art, Printable Envelope Templates, Printable Goodies

      I know I keep going on and on about envelopes. I believe this is my fifth DIY envelope post … which is disconcerting. Call me out if my next blog post is envelope-focused, too. Then we’ll really know I have a problem! But what can I say? I’m a sucker for pretty packaging, andContinue…

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    Printable Mail Art Envelope Templates | The Postman's Knock

    I know I keep going on and on about envelopes. I believe this is my fifth DIY envelope post … which is disconcerting. Call me out if my next blog post is envelope-focused, too. Then we’ll really know I have a problem! But what can I say? I’m a sucker for pretty packaging, and I love sharing ways to make someone’s world a little bit prettier with you!

    Today I have a special treat for you — a DIY mail art envelope template. I just created a set of three to put in my shop, and I’d love to share one of the three with you.

    DIY Mail Art Envelope Template | The Postman's Knock

    The template I am sharing today is the photography template. This template makes for an amazing envelope for someone who loves cameras, movies, or just funky illustration! You can download this mail art envelope template by clicking here: Photography DIY Envelope Template.

    DIY Mail Art Envelope Template | The Postman's Knock

    Once you download the template, you can either put a piece of regular paper or card stock in your printer {I recommend kraft card stock}, or if you want to create the ultimate cheap DIY project, cut an 8.5″x11″ piece out of a grocery sack and put that in the printer. {This was my original plan until I found card stock lurking in the closet.} Then print the template on the card stock or grocery sack, and you’ll have something that looks like this:

    DIY Mail Art Envelope Template | The Postman's Knock

    If you do not select “fit to page” on your printer options {I recommend NOT selecting “fit to page”}, then the side flaps won’t fully print out — you can see an example of that on the image above. That’s perfectly fine and in fact ideal as it makes for a bigger envelope. You’ll know where to cut because only a little bit of the tab doesn’t print out, and it should be obvious where to cut.

    Once you print out the template, you’ll just fold in all the flaps. Fold in the bottom flap first, the side flaps second, and the top flap third. Glue the side flaps to the bottom flap. You can either seal the top flap {once your card/letter is inside} with regular Elmer’s glue, or you can make my four-ingredient vanilla lick-to-seal envelope glue.

    DIY Mail Art Envelope Template | The Postman's Knock

    {The template for this envelope is available for download here.}

    Your end result will be a lovely and intricate 6.25″x4.5″ mail art envelope … ready to be written on and sent! If you like the other two templates and wish to purchase them, you can find them in the TPK catalog. Have a wonderful weekend!

     

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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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Previous post: How to Create a Handmade Envelope from a Paper Bag
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11 responses

  1. kayteau Avatar
    kayteau
    February 28, 2023

    Thanks for the freebies and the tutoriasls!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      March 3, 2023

      Sure thing! I am so glad that you enjoy!

      Log in to Reply
  2. lisa Avatar
    lisa
    October 1, 2016

    i thought it was free?

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 1, 2016

      Hi Lisa! Apologies; this post is three years old and has some kinks in it. 🙂 The Photography themed template is free; there is a download link under the second photo!

      Log in to Reply
  3. Fiona Reid Avatar
    Fiona Reid
    April 26, 2015

    Love it, but the stamp will cover up the beautiful work!!!! 🙁

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      April 27, 2015

      Only some of it! 🙂 There are some new templates in the TPK catalog that don’t have any artwork where the stamp goes, though … these are my new favorites!

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  4. Petra Avatar
    Petra
    December 5, 2014

    Love these templates. And agreed: using AD characters as the example is just brilliant. Love it!

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  5. Sarah Freeman Avatar
    Sarah Freeman
    February 14, 2014

    The fact that you used “Arrested Development” characters for your examples is utterly fantastic!!! I am glad I stumbled across your work on Pinterest! <3 You have a new fan!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      February 14, 2014

      In all seriousness, I am as passionate about Arrested Development as I am about calligraphy … that show never fails to make me laugh. My absolute favorite episode is the one where George Michael ends up with a rocket strapped to his back, and Tobias is playing a mole (though not the kind the investigators intended) — and together they destroy the mini-housing development right before the offended and shocked Japanese investors’ eyes à la Godzilla. Too wonderful. 😉 I am glad to have found a kindred spirit — thanks so much for reading!

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  6. Diana Avatar
    Diana
    October 19, 2013

    As a retired Calligrapher, I have always taken great pride in decorating any and all envelopes for any and all occasions. However, with advancing age and inability to decorate envelopes as I once did, I found this template and instructions perfect! I can even add colors with pencils and glitter, if I want. Thank you for making my day a little brighter with this short cut to decorating envelopes. Keep up the good work…it brings a smile to folks you don’t even know!! ~ :o) Diana

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      October 19, 2013

      Your comment makes me so, so happy!! I’m really glad that I can help you send out some pretty envelopes — be sure to check out the witch template for Halloween — I think it’s my favorite. 🙂 I can relate to your affinity for decorating envelopes … I am sure my mailman either thinks I’m very artistic or very crazy {though the reality is he probably thinks I’m a mix of both} because everything I send out is “dressed to the nines”. I just love knowing that my recipient will get a pretty surprise … I’m sure you know the feeling.

      Thanks for commenting and making MY day a little brighter. Have a great weekend!

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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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