sometimes the letter is ready and the envelope isn't. or you just want one that's prettier than the plain white ones in the junk drawer. good news: with a printable envelope template, a home printer and five minutes, you can make your own, in any color, any size, any vibe.
get the free template
our printable envelope template comes inside the free little sparrow starter pack, along with 20 letter prompts and a sheet of faux stamps. it prints on standard US letter or A4 paper, so there's nothing to resize.
how to make an envelope out of paper
- 1print the template at 100% scale (turn off "fit to page").
- 2cut along the solid outer line.
- 3score the dashed lines with a ruler and a dry pen so the folds come out crisp.
- 4fold the two side flaps in first, then the bottom flap up.
- 5glue the bottom flap to the sides with a glue stick or double-sided tape.
- 6slip your letter in and fold the top flap down.
how to fold a letter so it fits
fold a letter-size page in thirds, like a brochure, for a long envelope. for a smaller envelope, fold it in half, then in half again. tip: write the first line of your letter so it shows when it's unfolded. a little welcome moment.
how to address an envelope (us mail)
- recipient in the center: name, street address, city, state and zip, each on its own line.
- return address in the top left corner: your name and address.
- stamp in the top right corner. faux stamps are for decoration only, so add a real postage stamp too.
- write clearly in dark ink. sorting machines read the center of the envelope, so keep doodles around the edges.
how to seal it beautifully
- a sticker or heart seal over the flap
- washi tape across the back
- a wax seal (in the us, lumpy or rigid seals and square envelopes can add a nonmachinable surcharge, so check at the post office)
- a little ribbon tie for hand-delivered letters
want the full post office look?
the Airmail Envelope + Stamp Pack has striped airmail envelopes in four sizes, 30 faux stamps, sticker seals and 24 back-flap message starters, so every letter you send looks like it flew in from somewhere wonderful.
now that your envelope's ready: what to write in a letter · open when letters ideas · how to find a pen pal · letters to grandma
follow the prompts, fold the envelope, make someone's whole week. ✉
