Envelopes

How To Use Word's Mail Merge To Print Envelopes Video

How To Line Your Own Envelopes

Create A Template To Line Your Own Envelopes

Many Customers Are Asking How...

Many of our customers are interested in lining their own invitation envelopes for a one of a kind look. Although we have envelope liner templates available for many of our straight flap invitation envelopes, we do not have templates for all of the shapes and sizes we carry. While recently browsing on the web I stumbled upon a post in which the author mentioned she sacrificed an envelope to make a custom lining template - a simple but great idea that would work for an envelope of any shape or size - an idea I wanted to try for myself. For this project, I wanted to create a unique look, so I chose to line a European Flap Envelope with plum yellow Japanese Pearlized Paper, and the end result was beautiful. I found this project was quicker and easier than I anticipated, and with just a bit of trial and error, I created a perfect lining template from an envelope. The same few steps I used can be replicated on envelopes of any shape or size. If you are interested in custom lining your own envelopes, read on to learn how.

Import Note: Address Envelopes Before Lining

It is recommended that you address your envelopes prior to lining them. If you print your envelopes after they have been lined, the lining may get damaged through the printing process.

Partial Line Or Fully Lined Envelopes

To determine the base of your template, the first step is to determine how far down into the envelope you want the liner paper to go. For the purpose of conserving paper & saving cash, I chose to go only one inch down into my envelope and to mirror the shape of the bottom flap. If you would like your liner paper to go all the way to the envelope bottom, or find it easier to keep the base of your template straight across, simply measure and cut according to your preferences.

Create the Base of the Envelope Liner Template (Partial Liner)

To make your template begin with a flat, open envelope identical to the ones you will line. Starting on the left side of the envelope, I measured one inch down and marked the location. I did the same on the right side, and then in the center. After marking the three locations, I traced the path in pencil, so as to mirror the shape of the envelope.

Use Width of Gum Seal to Create Upper Portion of the Template

Although you want your liner and envelope flap to be the same shape, you do not want them to be the same size, or the liner will not fit or align correctly. Ideally, your liner should start right below the envelope's gum seal and mirror the shape of the flap all around - simply a smaller version of the envelope flap. To achieve this look, you need to create a template that is proportionately scaled down from the flap. To accomplish this, first measure the width of your envelope's gum seal, then size simply scale it down by that width, all around. See below for example:

I measured the gum seal on my envelope to determine it was 7/16 of an inch. To scale the my template down accordingly, I then marked 7/16 of an inch in towards the center at all major points of the flap, as indicated by the arrows. Next I traced a path around them, again mirroring the flap’s shape, yielding the outline of my template.

Cut the Template Out of the Envelope

Now that you have traced the shape of your template, you are ready to cut it out. Starting at the bottom of the gum seal, cut the template from the envelope, following the pencil lines you have created. When you are finished, you should have something that looks like this:

Trace the Template Onto Liner Paper & Cut

Now simply trace the shape of the template onto the paper you have chosen for your liner, and cut it out. This is your complete envelope liner. You are almost done!

How To Adhere the Liner Paper

To adhere the liner to your envelope, use a glue marker, fast drying adhesive, or craft glue stick on the back of the liner. Be careful not to use too much glue, or your liner may wrinkle. A light path around the edge should be sufficient.

Insert Liner Into The Envelope and Adjust Accordingly

Next, carefully insert the liner into the envelope, and adjust it so that it sits right below the gum seal and evenly inside of the flap.

After aligning, press the edges down firmly. Before the glue is dry, fold the envelope closed to make sure the lining folds with the envelope naturally without wrinkling.

That’s it! You have just created a custom lined envelope for your invitation!