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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.

    How to Make Your Own Envelope: A YouTube Tutorial

    January 31, 2019

    by

    Lindsey Bugbee

    Paper, Tutorials

    In the latest YouTube tutorial, I’ll show you how to make your own envelope out of any piece of paper that catches your eye!

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    Handmade Envelope | The Postman's Knock
    The envelope template and printable fox illustration on this DIY envelope are from The Letter Writer’s Complete Resource!

    Did you know that you can make your own envelope? Really, if you think about it, an envelope is just a folded piece of paper that’s designed to hold another piece of paper. You’re more than capable of making folds and gluing! In today’s YouTube tutorial, I’ll show you how to make an envelope out of pretty much any piece of paper that catches your eye. All you’ll need is a commercial envelope (or a template out of the LWCR), a piece of decorative paper, glue, a pencil, and scissors!

    The YouTube Tutorial

    This tutorial is pretty quick and simple. In it, you’ll learn how to make your own envelope in a matter of minutes! Be sure to watch until the end for a full minute of DIY envelope inspiration.

    Interested in seeing more videos like this one? Check out the TPK YouTube page!

    Helpful Resources

    First of all, The Letter Writer’s Complete Resource is great for people who want to make their own envelopes! It’s got envelope templates, envelope liner and pattern printables, and gorgeous hand-painted clipart to decoupage on envelopes. As I mentioned in the video, an envelope made out of thin paper can benefit from an envelope liner to give it some heft! You can learn how to make envelope liners in this tutorial.

    The Letter Writer's Complete Resource: A Guide for Writing Letters | The Postman's Knock
    Envelope liners can help to give flimsy envelopes some strength!

    Remember that you can make a DIY moisten-to-seal envelope glue for handmade envelopes! The recipe for the glue is super simple, and you can find it in this blog post.

    DIY Envelope Glue for Handmade Envelopes | The Postman's Knock
    You only need four ingredients to make DIY envelope glue!

    Making Envelopes that Arrive at Their Destination

    When I post adventurous envelope tutorials like this one, people usually ask how likely the envelope is to reach its destination. My answer is that the post office loses 6% of mail that they are given, so there’s a 94% chance your envelope will make it! Just be smart about writing the address — it should be legible, with a crystal clear zip code that a machine can read. For more information on making successful envelopes, you can read this article.

    How to Make an Envelope Out of (Almost) Anything | The Postman's Knock
    This DIY envelope safely reached its destination!

    Prefer Written Instructions?

    I totally get that you may not be a visual or auditory learner, or maybe you’re sitting at work and can’t watch a video! If that’s the case, this tutorial is a great substitute for today’s YouTube video. Feel free to give it a read!


    Thanks so much for checking out today’s YouTube tutorial! If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments section (either of this blog post, or on my YouTube page). I’m always more than happy to answer!

    Warmly,

    Lindsey's Signature | The Postman's Knock

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About the author

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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30 responses

  1. Klu Avatar
    Klu
    February 14, 2019

    Thanks for the tutorial, I am so excited to give this a try!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      June 5, 2019

      You’re welcome, Klu! I hope you’ll share what you created 🙂

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  2. Gini Cooper Avatar
    Gini Cooper
    February 14, 2019

    I find all your blog posts inspirational, but this is a fave because I love sending mail art to penpals.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      June 5, 2019

      I love that you have penpals! Thanks, Gini XO

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  3. Amy Novitski Avatar
    Amy Novitski
    February 14, 2019

    I just love your tutorials. And all of your envelopes are beautiful! I need to purchase your letter writer’s resource. Sending snail mail is something I wish I did more of…maybe someday.

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      June 5, 2019

      Thank you, Amy! What a kind comment. I do hope you start making some mail art! And please share it! XO

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  4. Amy Avatar
    Amy
    February 13, 2019

    as someone who likes making things from scratch, this is just up my alley. and i love that you provided a text tutorial in addition to the video. thanks!

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      June 5, 2019

      I am glad you like this post! I hope you enjoy the tutorial, too. Please share what you create 🙂 XO

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  5. Lisa Jones Avatar
    Lisa Jones
    February 13, 2019

    Love this idea Lindsey! I always make my own cards, so it makes sense to make the envelopes too! 🙂

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    1. Lindsey Bugbee Avatar
      Lindsey Bugbee
      June 5, 2019

      Thanks, Lisa! I hope you’ll share what you do with your envelopes! XO

      Log in to Reply
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The other day, I was thinking about sending out ho The other day, I was thinking about sending out holiday cards, and I immediately dismissed the thought with, “I have zero time to calligraph envelopes for those.” ✍️

... But is that true? I put it to the test for the latest article on the TPK Blog. Using some time-saving tricks I’ve learned over the years (like using a watery ink, a bouncy calligraphy style, and minimal pencil guidelines), I timed myself making three envelope concepts. Two of them took 5 minutes or less. The most time-intensive took 5 minutes, 30 seconds. The envelopes still turned out looking elegant, especially with the help of some artistic postage stamp collages. 💌

For clear step-by-step tutorials detailing how to make these envelopes and sourcing pretty postage, visit the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to “Blog”)!

#snailmail #mail #calligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #happymail #snailmailrevolution #mailbox #postage #vintagepostage
After I chose this music to accompany this reel, i After I chose this music to accompany this reel, it dawned on me: drawing a calligraphy medallion is like, well, Belle’s arc with the Beast. 

At first, it’s a bit of a weird situation. Strange shapes, questionable structure, possibly some growling (à la “YOU WILL JOIN ME FOR DINNER. That’s not a request!”) when the inevitable ink smudge happens. You keep thinking, “I’m not sure why I’m doing this ... should I hop on Felipe and gallop away?” 🐎

But something shifts as the medallion starts to come to life. And when you finish that last detail and pull back, the music swells. Light bursts from your paper like it did from Beast’s digits as he transformed into a stunningly beautiful prince. ✨ You’re practically in a ballroom celebrating, and, wait, did your furniture just turn into an adoring crowd that’s celebrating your fortitude and skill?

(And now you know how my mind works 🧠 ... I love a good metaphor, no matter how weak it may be!) 

To learn how to make a calligraphy medallion, just search for “calligraphy medallion” on the TPK site (link in bio). You’ll find both free Blog tutorials and detailed premium worksheets.

... I’ll show myself out now. 🙈

#pointedpencalligraphy #calligraphy #handwritten #pointedpen #dippen #calligraphymedallion #calligraphydrill #calligraphypractice
My favorite autumn projects are the ones that remi My favorite autumn projects are the ones that remind you how cozy this season can be. 🍂 This project definitely fits the bill ... create it with a hot, comforting drink nearby and an excellent audiobook, and you’re in for a treat! ☕️ ✍️ The tutorial on the TPK Blog (link in bio, then navigate to Blog) is super detailed, with mini tutorial videos to guide you every step of the way.

#autumnart #watercolortutorial #arttutorial #handpainted #paintingtutorial #pointedpen #dippen #flourishing
Happy Halloween! 👻 This year, I’m pretending Happy Halloween! 👻 This year, I’m pretending to be ... someone who writes calligraphy quickly! (No, just kidding — not about the video being sped up, but the choice of costume. I actually picked up a skeleton PJ set at Goodwill. 💀)

Even if you won’t be indulging in candy, remember to treat yourself this season, starting this weekend! The holiday season can be hectic, and it’s important to claim some relaxing time for yourself. Cheers to the “holidaze”! 🥂

#halloweencalligraphy #calligraphy #pointedpen #dippen #handwritten #writingvideo #calligraphyvideo
🎃 This is the last week that Halloween calligra 🎃 This is the last week that Halloween calligraphy drills will be available at TPK! Find what you like in the shop, download, then print it out on a pointed pen-friendly paper. Then, let the (happily!) spooky vibes take over while you practice your strokes. ✍️👻

➡ Link in bio to visit the TPK site.

#calligraphydrills #halloween #calligraphypractice #learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #dippen #pointedpen
✍️ Learn with us! Right now, TPK Premium membe ✍️ Learn with us! Right now, TPK Premium members are working their way through a new version of The Beginner’s Modern Calligraphy Online Course. It’s an *awesome* course that’s even more thorough than the original version (which is saying a lot because the original course has 281 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐ reviews)! We just had the Lesson 3 class discussion this morning, ️and I’m so impressed with how much progress students are making — and I love their observations! One person compared using the Brause EF66 nib to driving a Lexus, which I got a kick out of. 🚘 

Premium membership ($5/month) grants you complimentary access to the course through January 6th; take it live with us! Once this course wraps up, we’ll be moving on to the new Intermediate Modern Calligraphy Online Course in February. 

Find details by visiting the link in my bio. I’d love to help you build those foundational skills that will allow you to create gorgeous envelopes, place cards, invitations, quotes, correspondence, and much more! The Lesson 4 class discussion is three weeks from now, so you’ve got plenty of time to catch up. 😊

#learncalligraphy #pointedpencalligraphy #writingcalligraphy #calligraphycourse #learningcalligraphy #writingcalligraphy #realtimecalligraphy
🍂 The newest tutorial on the TPK Blog walks you 🍂 The newest tutorial on the TPK Blog walks you through how to make this gorgeous illustration, step-by-step, with helpful instructional videos. To find the tutorial, visit the link in my profile, then navigate to the blog. ENJOY! 🤗

(PS - Loving the colors in the @greenleafblue Anthesis set ... I used French Orange Ochre, American Violet Hematite, Pyrrole Scarlet, and Italian Green Earth to make this pumpkin. All *fabulous* autumn tones!)
Loved chatting with @sdionbakerdesign and @greenle Loved chatting with @sdionbakerdesign and @greenleafblue last Friday! Samantha is exactly as thoughtful and creative as you’d imagine from her Draw Your… books — and this answer to Jennifer’s question says it all. ✨ Just have fun and make art!

☕ Want to watch/listen to the whole conversation? Head over to the TPK Blog to hit play on the recording! (Link in bio, then navigate to “Blog”.)

#artistchat #artist #samanthadionbaker #greenleafandblueberry #thepostmansknock #arttalk #creativity #sketchbooking #sketchbook #artadvice
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