I know that every single person who reads this blog is capable of making an impressive piece of mail art. Still, just because you can doesn’t mean you necessarily have the time, and that’s why I decided to make today’s “Luminous” printable envelope template. The project also gave me an excuse to draw (which I love), and make something that I hope you’ll enjoy using!
About the Luminous Illustration
The illustration featured on the printable envelope template is very simple, and was fun to create. If you want to draw something like it yourself, I would recommend starting with sketching out a few hanging lamps and lightbulbs in pencil. For inspiration, you can Google “vintage lampshades” and “lightbulbs”. Once you’ve drawn the artwork in pencil, trace over your work with sumi or India ink and a Nikko G nib.
Feel free to get playful! You can add line patterns to some of the lampshades and be creative with how you trace over the ropes suspended from the “ceiling”.
Once the ink dries (~3 minutes), you can erase your pencil lines!
How to Use the Printable Envelope Template
Once I finished the lamp/lightbulb illustration, I scanned it into Photoshop. I then used the steps outlined in Lessons 3 and 4 of the Digitizing Artwork & Calligraphy eCourse to digitize the illustration and make a PDF printable out of it. You can download the resulting printable envelope template by clicking here! Once you download the template, print it out on your preferred paper. (I love it on 32# laserjet paper, but it also looks great on kraft cardstock.) Cut the template out along the gray outline.
Next, fold all flaps of the envelope inward. You can see instructions on how to do this on the product page of the template (fourth photo). The resulting envelope will be approximately 6-1/4″ wide x 4-3/8″ tall (15-3/4 cm x 11-1/10 cm) — a great size for sending letters or photos!
If you want to, you can add color to the lampshades and bulbs! Watercolor, crayons, colored pencils, and inks will all work great for that purpose.
Finish up by writing the recipient’s address in the calligraphy or hand-lettering style of your choice on the right. I chose to use all-lowercase Kaitlin Style calligraphy to emphasize the whimsy of the lampshades, but anything will look good — even plain cursive!
You can echo the antique nature of the lampshades by adding vintage postage stamps to the envelope! I love to purchase unused stamps from yesteryear on eBay and put them on my mail art. USPS recognizes their face value, so the letter will sail through the postal system!
More Artistic Envelope Templates + a Coupon Code
This weekend, I decided to spend some time making three new intricate envelope templates in addition to the “Luminous” template. All three pieces were made using pen and ink, care, and creativity. You can find those three templates by clicking here, but keep reading to find a coupon code for them!
If you want to send out elegant envelope art, try pairing the “Lacy” printable envelope template with Flourish Formal calligraphy.
I like the Botanical Henna envelope with Amy Style … the result is light and playful.
In my opinion, the Cityscape envelope pairs well with George Style lettering for the name and Sans Serif lettering for the address. The angular block lettering complements the buildings!
I just listed these three Pen & Ink Printable Envelope Templates in the TPK catalog for $4.50, and I made a coupon code to accompany them! You can type in the code MAILART in the “Apply Gift Card” field at checkout to receive $1.00 off the templates (total cost: $3.50) until Wednesday, March 22nd. Feel free to experiment with these templates! Switch up the lettering styles, add color, and play around with postage stamps. You can do whatever you’d like to make them your own creation.
I hope that you enjoy today’s printable envelope template — it truly was my pleasure to make it for you! Thanks very much for reading TPK, and have a wonderful rest of the day!
Warmly,
I made the this “Luminous” envelope today and it turned out so pretty. I’m just starting Mail Art, and I really appreciate all of the beautiful ideas you have on your blog. Thanks so much for this free envelope template. I love this design and plan to make several to keep on hand. Just wish I could write the address in calligraphy as beautiful as you do.
Thank you.
I am new to the blog, although I did find you another time once before for the watercolor beginner lessons (which were pure GOLD). I love sending unique and beautiful mail. I’m curious about all your wonderful stamps. Have you collected over the years? They are such a beautiful mix of genre’s and colors and complement the envelope so well. I would love to hear about the stamps. 🙂 I try to get some of the post office’s unique ones as they come out seasonally but sometimes there is just nothing impressive. (Also, a total side note but I’m sad at the decline in quality from the post office in general- and hope we don’t lose it as an institution but that it can be redeemed.) Cheers!
Actually, no — I cheat and buy them on eBay! They are super reasonably priced ($13-ish for 100), and they still function as a valid payment means by which to send a letter. This is the exact seller that I buy them from!
What a “bright” idea. Look forward to painting and decorating my envelopes, might use some Stickles to give those light bulbs a glow. By the way Lindsey, I did your lace envelope tutorial you had in October 2015. I got a real appreciation for your steady and coordinated hand and eyes. So glad you are offering yours for printing.Thank you
Thank you! I love the hanging lamps! Fabulous design… this will be fun to use!
Thank you😌
Always so pretty! Sometimes I can actually do ok with my attempts,too! Thank you for all you do and share with us!
Thank you Lindsey. As always you are an inspiration!