Writing Envelope

Intro: Writing Envelope

This is the largest envelope i've been able to make out of a single sheet of A4 paper. It allows you to write and mail your note without a seperate envelope. It also gives your reader something interesting to open. Happy folding......

You can find my books with these envelopes in the back at http://samdesigned.co.uk

STEP 1: Dimensions

Here are the dimensions you will need for your folding. Make a note of them before you move on.

STEP 2: Making the Template

If you buy a pack of paper with a cardboard back, remove the cardboard back. We will use this in the next step.

STEP 3: Creating the Template

Draw out the diagram from step one onto the cardboard back. Cut out the holes as shown in the diagram so you can mark your sheets of paper through it. (I use a craft knife to make 4 small cuts to make a square where the hole needs to be). The hole has to be just big enough for the nib of a pen.

STEP 4: Using the Template

Place the template over a sheet of paper and place a small pen mark through each of the holes.

STEP 5: Scoring

DO NOT DRAW THE LINES ONTO THE PAPER. Score along each of the lines shown. DO NOT FOLD THEM YET.

STEP 6: Write Your Letter.....

Turn the paper over so the pen marks are underneath and write your letter.....


Don't forget to tell the reader where you found the cool design for the envelope ;o)

STEP 7: Make the First Fold

Make the first fold as shown in the picture. You may find it a little easier if you fold the paper back and forward along the score lines first, but it isn't necessary.
Take your time. You don't want to get this bit wrong or else you'll have to write your letter again ;o)
Once it looks like the picture, smooth down from the bottom edge.

STEP 8: Second Fold :o)

Do the same for the top edge.
When you've finished it should look like the picture.

STEP 9: Third Fold. Nearly There.

make the third fold as in the picture.
You can probably see where it's going now. I'll leave you to figure out the last fold. Saves me having to draw another picture.


Happy folding and remember, everyone likes to get letters....

STEP 10: Sealing and Other Notes.

I have been looking for a wax seal or a sticker that looks like a seal.

In the meantime i find it is best to run a small line of "super glue" along the very edge of the fold down flap. I know this may not be suitable for children and so a bit of tape or adult supervision will do. (I take no responsibility for fingers glued to tables or for envelopes glues shut so successfully that they are no longer readable).

If i use "super glue" then i make small perforations around the glued edge to help the reader to open the letter.

Also you might want to put an "open here" on the flap. If the reader uses a letter knife across the top then they will have a jigsaw to go along with their cool letter/envelope.

It may all seem a bit of a long process, but with practice it will become much faster and easier and i feel that the responses you'll get from the reader makes it worth the little effort that you put in. It's not about saving a few cents on an envelope.

Overall size when completed is 90mm X 157mm or 3 1/2" X 6". Should be big enough to keep any postie happy....

Comments

[oushkul]

Hi to anyone looking at this. I have recently started making journals with a bunch of these amazing envelopes bound into the back of the book. If you want to take a look you'll find them at samdesigned.co.uk

[mrsmerwin]

that is such a good idea.

[SparkySolar]

[SparkySolar]

I love it. So much easier than the Origami envelopes with 100 + folds

[depewke]

Great technique. I'm excited to use it when I next write letters home. BTW, a great web site for custom wax sealers is:
http://www.customwaxnseals.com/
I used her for my wax sealer and she did a great job very quickly. I love the look of letters sealed with wax.

[oushkul]

Thanks for the link. I agree too that a wax seal on a letter looks great.

[xenobiologista]

So, any idea how much postage you need to put on it to mail it overseas from the USA? 80c like a regular airmail or less than that (i forgot how much) like an aerogramme?

[oushkul]

I live in the UK so not sure what the US postal charges are, but this letter would be no bigger that your standard letter and therefore should be covered by your standard postage charge. In the UK it is covered by a 1st or 2nd class stamp.

[tjk94]

Can you translate those measurements into some that will work with normal 8 1/2x11 in. printer paper? Thanks

[oushkul]

ok, for our American friends, with 8 1/2" x 11" the measurements are as follows (sorry, no pic): Down left: 122mm and 35mm Top margin: 61mm Left margin: 63mm Center is still 90mm x 157mm In general, the dimensions don't really matter too much. First start with the centre box which is bigger than a third of width, but less than half of width. Then draw on the 'triangles' in each corner. I went for these dimensions as they give a nice shape and overlap. Feel free to play about with sizes.

[Naruto_Uzumaki]

hey can somebody help me i lost the picthres for this website and i cant get em back can anybody tell me how to get em plz i will even give you me hotmail

[leevonk]

won't look as nice but you could just right the address on the back of the paper and drop it into the mailbox. In fact you can drop almost anything 'as is' into the mail (I don't think organic matter is allowed though). For instance, you could write and address on a soda can, piece of metal, or a shoe, and drop it in the mail. Obviously need stamps too.

[Neired82]

from what I've heard, not so much anymore...the postal type people are really starting to be picky about what goes through the mail.... So, you might want to check with your local post office first to make sure it's ok to send something.

[Ducky_2010]

I like this and I just wanted to say that a wax seal shouldn't be too hard to make. You could just drip a candle into a big blob on the paper, then use a ring/coin/textured object of your choice for a seal. It's pretty cool though. Good job!

[radioeyes]

pretty slick! I just tried one and they have surprising toughness (my paper is pretty flimsy, but when folded it's okay), however the slightest bit of water on thin paper is going to make ink run. People might try heavier stock if they don't want their precious creations damaged en route. Scotch tape sometimes doesn't count as a "seal" on an envelope, but they do have some cheap double-sided tape that will be post-legit.

[icanryme2002]

try a laser printer its melted plastic embedded with carbon, it won't run.

[MrTheTooth]

Why would you make the largest rather than the most postal efficent? 1) You're eclosing something in the letter. 2) You believe the USPS is underfunded, and want to help out in any way possible. Also, I second the earlier question? Does this fall into any oversize catagories?

[oushkul]

1) you're writing on the inside of the envelope. Nothing inserted. 1 sheet of A4, 1 letter. 2) I mentioned largest because other instructables left you with an exceprionally small envelope. This one is a little smaller than an average envelope, but not so small that it's difficult to use. Re: Earlier Q. No, not over sized. Hope this helps....