Designer Envelopes
Designing cards for friends and family is so rewarding, why not showcase the card in an attractive envelope decorated to match your artwork? A decorated envelope insures that your card will be the first one opened the day it arrives.
Tips for creating exciting envelopes:
- If the card is a simple design, using a single focal point and a message, then your envelope should be stamped with a single image reflecting the design and color inside. The card on the right illustrates this technique.
- An ornate card with embellishments deserves an envelope with stamped corners or an overall background design.
- Stamp the recipients first name using a letter set in bright colors to echo a whimsical birthday greeting inside.
- Sending a Real Wildflower card? Stamp a garden of flowers along the bottom of the envelope in varying heights.
- A contemporary card can be enhanced by stamping diagonal designs, matching the card, across the front of the envelope.
- Does your card contain a Shadow Stamp as a background for other design components? Why not repeat the Shadow Stamp on the front of the envelope, holding the name and address and make a background around the address of the additional images used inside.
- Letter Sets can embellish an envelope by simply adding "To" and "From" on the front of the envelope using colors matching the card inside.
Flap Treatments
Compose interesting patterns along the flap of an envelope
- To create a deckle edge along the back flap of the envelope, gently tear a narrow strip from the edge of the flap, dab a bit of ink along the torn edge and seal. Most envelopes have enough extra paper on the flap to allow for tearing. If you tear off the gummed portion, add a bit of glue to the edge and seal.
- When changing the flap configuration be sure that you allow enough paper to cover the envelope opening.
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Create a custom stamped liner for your envelopes
Place an open envelope over a piece of your liner paper and trace around the flap and down the sides about 2" (liner need only cover the visible area). Trim the flap edges to fit inside the glue on the envelope. Slide the lining inside the envelope.
Place glue on the flap lining only, this keeps the envelope lining from buckling as the envelope is closed.
Try cutting the liner with decorative scissors.
Use small pieces of gift wrap to add color to the inside of your envelope.
Use paper not cardstock to create the lining, it is lighter and folds easier.
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Re-use your envelope designs
Create an envelope design that will coordinate with several different card designs. Then stamp a series of envelopes all at once, and have them ready when needed.
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Postal Regulations
A design covering the entire envelope should be stamped in lighter colors, so as not to interfere with the address and postmark.
Be sure the address is clearly visible through the design.
Charms and trinkets should be limited to the card inside.
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