Q&A for How to Make an Envelope

Yes. The origami method is a great way to make an envelope without tape, although you may want to use some to keep the flap from coming open. You can also use stickers or a glue stick to keep the flap in place if you don’t have any tape on hand.

There’s a huge range of envelope sizes. The most common mailing envelope is 4 1/8 by 9 1/2 inches (10.5 by 24.1 cm). A typical greeting card envelope is 5 1/4 by 7 1/4 inches (13.3 cm by 18.4 cm). Many manila envelopes are designed to hold a standard sheet of printer paper. These envelopes are usually 9 by 12 inches (22.9 by 30.5 cm).

Yes, these instructions should work for any size. If the proportions seem way off partway through, you can trim off part of the paper.

It's fine as long as the paper is flexible enough.

Yes, although you would need to cut it into a square shape in order to make an origami envelope.

The taped design is suitable for mailing, as long as it is sealed well enough.

"You may want to secure any loose edges with tape if you have trouble keeping them shut." From the Step 10 in the article.

You can't really do that. I suppose you could glue or tape them together, but it probably wouldn't work. You could use bigger paper though, like A3 or A2.

It is more time consuming but more personal.

You can mail it like you normally would, but you will have to pay an extra shipping or postage fee. Check with your local post office for specifics.

Yes, you can, as long as your paper is of good quality so that it is flexible enough and doesn't rip. For the square origami envelope, I would recommend using a thicker paper because it would prevent the envelope from falling apart.

If it's around the size of a normal envelope, no. You only pay a little extra for mail that is unusually large or unusually small.

Yes, as long as the paper is a good thickness.

No, only for Method 3. The other two use rectangular paper.

If you are going with method 1, get a 13" by 10" card (double the size). Otherwise, trim it as you go.

Yes, although I would recommend folding it first so you can make sure that your writing doesn't appear on the outside of the envelope.

Just draw or paint on the envelope to add color. Don't use marker, as it curls paper.

Double up two sheets of the same-sized paper and glue them together to make thicker paper.

If you have a very small note, although it's recommended you use bigger sizes, such as A2 or A3.

Yes, you can use any type of paper.

If your envelope/letter is formal, then your tape should be clear. Only a friendly/birthday card should use funky tape.

Yes, it can. It is the orignal envelope design, and these envolopes are built to hold things.

Any type of tape is fine, but not too small because the edges won't fit then. Clear tape would be prettier though.

Yes, you should be able to use it as an envelope to send a letter anywhere.

It can be loose but it shouldn't be tight.

Yes, you can use normal A4 paper, but I suggest using more flexible paper as it is easier to fold, and if you use card paper you will not be able to make it properly.

No, since sometimes glue can come undone and your envelope would fall apart in the mail.

Yes, as long as the paper isn't so small it can't be properly folded.

You could decorate your envelopes by drawing on them with colored pens or sticking on any adornments or just decorating them with whatever comes to your head.

No.