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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.

    Two Simple Envelope Embellishments

    August 17, 2021

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Calligraphy, Inspiration, Tutorials

    In today’s post, you’ll learn two ways to make eye-catching envelopes in just a matter of minutes! Both concepts are fun, simple, and easy modified to fit your personality and creative mood.

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    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock

    Eye-catching envelopes don’t have to take forever to make. These two envelope embellishment concepts take just a few minutes to whip up! The first idea uses lines to achieve geometric beauty, and you’ll see stars — literally — when you check out the second idea.

    1. Geometric Envelope Embellishments

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock

    This mail art concept utilizes lines and shapes to achieve a clean, visually appealing look. It can be created either with a dip pen or a standard pen. To make an envelope like this, you’ll begin by writing the recipient’s name in George Style lettering. You can draw in a diamond or two to add personality to the piece and to separate the first name from the last name.

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock
    I used a Sakura Gelly Roll white pen to write on this envelope.

    Next, use the lettering style of your choice to write the recipient’s address below his or her name.

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock
    I used Morgan Style lettering to write the recipient’s address. You can find a free Morgan Style exemplar here!

    Next, draw two horizontal lines about 0.5″ (~1.25 cm) below the bottom address line. Space the lines just under 0.25″ (~0.5 cm) apart.

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock

    After you draw the two lines, draw a second set of lines directly underneath them.

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock

    Now, use your pen to free-hand draw groups of short, slanted lines within the first set of two horizontal lines. The number of lines in each group and their spacing from other groups should be totally random!

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock
    Your first batch of small horizontal lines should slope down from left to right.

    You’ll finish up the envelope embellishment by adding groups of short, slanted lines below the gaps in the lines that you just drew. These lines should slope up from left to right.

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock
    Make sure the lines that you create now only appear below the “gaps” in the first set of lines.

    Once you’re finished, the envelope will look something like this:

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock

    After you draw all the lines, wait for your ink to dry. Then, erase any pencil guidelines, and add some postage stamps!

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock

    It’s always best to add a lot of postage stamps to an envelope like this one because the stamps balance out the design on the bottom of the envelope. I generally use a vintage postage stamp collage. If you don’t have any vintage stamps, then contemporary stamps will do the trick.

    Starry Envelope Embellishments

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock

    “Starry” envelope embellishments are deceptively simple to make! First, you’ll want to start by writing a diagonal calligraphed address.

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock
    I used Kaitlin Style calligraphy, sumi ink, and a Brause EF66 nib + an oblique pen to write this address.

    Next, use a pencil to draw vertical guidelines descending from the top of the envelope. Space the guidelines about 0.25″ (~0.5 cm) apart. Be sure to leave room for your postage stamps on the right!

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock

    Next, draw one star somewhere on each line. It really doesn’t matter where; the important thing is to vary the stars’ positions.

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock
    You can either draw star outlines — like these — or fill your stars in.

    Now, use your pen to draw tiny dots along each pencil guideline. The dots should lead down to that line’s star (and no further).

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock
    Don’t draw any dots past each line’s star!

    When all of your ink has dried, erase the pencil guidelines. Your envelope is now ready to send!

    Four Simple Envelope Embellishments: Part II | The Postman's Knock

    The starry envelope embellishments concept is one of my favorites because it is super-speedy! You can switch up the ink color and calligraphy style to give each star-themed envelope a different look.

    3 Speedy Mail Art Tutorials | The Postman's Knock
    I used white ink and Janet Style calligraphy to make this simple starry envelope.

    Feel free to modify these embellishment ideas to fit whatever creative mood you’re in! Use different ink colors, lettering styles, postage stamps, and envelope colors to change the effect. No matter what, you’ll be pleased with the result.

    Thanks very much for reading TPK, and happy embellishing!

    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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4 responses

  1. Karen Rominger Avatar
    Karen Rominger
    September 21, 2021

    I adore the Art Deco feel of the line work as an envelope enhancement, and those sweet stars are just stinkin’ cute! Thanks for another great tutorial, Lindsey!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      September 30, 2021

      Thank you, I love those stars!

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  2. Sharla Avatar
    Sharla
    September 20, 2021

    Love your use of multiple varied postage stamps!

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  3. Sumire Avatar
    Sumire
    September 20, 2021

    Love the stars!

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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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