Q&A for How to Make an Envelope

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  • Question
    Can you make an envelope without tape?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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.
  • Question
    What are the common sizes of envelope?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    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).
  • Question
    Can we make the taped envelope with a different size of paper?
    Community Answer
    Yes, these instructions should work for any size. If the proportions seem way off partway through, you can trim off part of the paper.
  • Question
    Is it possible to use a different kind of paper?
    Community Answer
    It's fine as long as the paper is flexible enough.
  • Question
    Can I use A4 paper to make an envelope?
    Community Answer
    Yes, although you would need to cut it into a square shape in order to make an origami envelope.
  • Question
    Is there a design that I can mail instead of hand-delivering?
    Community Answer
    The taped design is suitable for mailing, as long as it is sealed well enough.
  • Question
    How does the origami envelope not fall apart when it is opened?
    Community Answer
    "You may want to secure any loose edges with tape if you have trouble keeping them shut." From the Step 10 in the article.
  • Question
    How do I make a larger envelope using 2 A4 sheets?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Is this better than buying cards and envelopes?
    Community Answer
    It is more time consuming but more personal.
  • Question
    How do I mail a large envelope?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can I use drawing paper for any of these examples?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Would you have to pay extra for mailing with the square origami envelope?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Can we make an envelope with colored paper?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as the paper is a good thickness.
  • Question
    Does the paper have to be square?
    Community Answer
    No, only for Method 3. The other two use rectangular paper.
  • Question
    What size paper should I use to create an envelope for a 6.5"x 5" card?
    Community Answer
    If you are going with method 1, get a 13" by 10" card (double the size). Otherwise, trim it as you go.
  • Question
    Can the paper I use serve as the actual letter too?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    What are other ways to add color?
    Community Answer
    Just draw or paint on the envelope to add color. Don't use marker, as it curls paper.
  • Question
    What do I do if the envelope I made isn't sturdy enough?
    Community Answer
    Double up two sheets of the same-sized paper and glue them together to make thicker paper.
  • Question
    Can I make an envelope out of A5 paper?
    Community Answer
    If you have a very small note, although it's recommended you use bigger sizes, such as A2 or A3.
  • Question
    Can I make an envelope using copy paper?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can use any type of paper.
  • Question
    Which color of tape is common for envelopes?
    Community Answer
    If your envelope/letter is formal, then your tape should be clear. Only a friendly/birthday card should use funky tape.
  • Question
    Can the first method hold things?
    Community Answer
    Yes, it can. It is the orignal envelope design, and these envolopes are built to hold things.
  • Question
    Do you suggest I use clear tape?
    Community Answer
    Any type of tape is fine, but not too small because the edges won't fit then. Clear tape would be prettier though.
  • Question
    Can I use this envelope to send a letter in India?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you should be able to use it as an envelope to send a letter anywhere.
  • Question
    My envelopes are 9 cm by 5 cm measurements. Would I need the paper to loosely fit inside it?
    Community Answer
    It can be loose but it shouldn't be tight.
  • Question
    Can I use normal A4 paper that I write on to make these?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Should I glue the tape method instead?
    Community Answer
    No, since sometimes glue can come undone and your envelope would fall apart in the mail.
  • Question
    Can I make it with small paper?
    Community Answer
    Yes, as long as the paper isn't so small it can't be properly folded.
  • Question
    How can I decorate my envelopes?
    Community Answer
    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.
  • Question
    Are there other designs especially for posting/mailing in the UK?
    Community Answer
    No.
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