Envelope Punch Board-Make Your Own Envelopes

Professional scrapbook artist, paper crafter, and author, I have taught people how to make family memories into legacies for 20 years.

I love to make greeting cards, invites and my own stationary. But often I don't have the right sized envelope. I like to make my own envelopes do that I can add my own personal touches. Making envelopes to fit the cards size is often tedious and frustrating. You have to measure and cut just right or you wind up with a mess. It got to the point where I was just about ready to give up op on my creative side and stick with the standard card sizes.

When I found the Memory Keeper Envelope Punchboard, I wasn't sure if the product would be worth the outlay, but my creative conscience won out and I had to have this tool.

The first thing that caught my eye was the fact that you could make 64 sizes of custom envelopes. The cardboard system that I had used in the past, didn't come close to that amount of sizes. Comes in handy when you want to really get creative with odd sized greeting cards.

The unit itself is a board, but there are also tools or accessories that come with the unit. A bone folder attaches to the unit, so that you have it at your fingertips. There is also a corner rounder the you can use to round off the corners of your envelopes. It is easy to store this unit and it is portable for classes and crops

Making the envelopes is easy.

Using The Envelope Punch Board

There are just a few things to know about the envelope punch board that will make your envelopes quickly and easily.

• The Directions-Tells you how to use the envelope punch board-step by step
• Size Charts-Tells you what size envelope to chose from, the dimensions of the paper you need to cut, and where to start
• The Punch- this is the punch where you will guide and punch the rounded edges.
• The Scoring Tool-Used to make the lines for folds on the envelope.
• Score Guide-Shows you where to score the lines to make the envelope

Envelope Punch Board-A Must Have Tool For Paper Crafters

Follow The Guide

Supplies You Need To Create Your Envelope

There are just a minimal amount of supplies that you need to create your envelope

1. Paper-I prefer to use a good strong paper at least 80 lb paper or above. Especially if you are mailing your card. The thin paper will not hold up. The double-sided paper makes a good strong envelope and has a pretty interior. You can use a good single-color paper. Of course, you cannot beat a good traditional white envelope.
2. Paper Trimmer- A paper trimmer will cut your paper quickly and evenly. Your measurements will be exact. But you do also have the option of cutting with a ruler and a craft knife or scissors. I always like to have an extra blade in my craft space. That way if my blade gets dull, I can keep going with a new blade. Periodically, clean the well where the blade travels as bits of paper and lint can collect causing bad cuts. You can also use a guillotine if you have one.
3. Double-sided tape- You can use a tape runner or rolls of double-sided tape.I use the very thin ones for my envelopes. You can use glue, but personally, I find it very messy and time-consuming
4. Envelope Punch Board-This is a wise investment for anyone who makes cards on a regular basis. AS you will see, there is a lot more uses than just envelopes for this amazing board.

Step One-Pick The Envelope Size That You Want

On the board you will notice that there are three charts which list card size, paper size and score line. So you need to measure your greeting or note card. Then find the size of the paper you need and note the starting score line.

If the size of the card does not match the chart, go to the next largest size on the chart.

The chart has formulas for 66 different types of envelopes.

You can find measurements for other types and sizes on envelopes on the internet.

Step 1-Cut The Paper

Step Two-Cutting The Paper

It cannot be overstated that the paper must be the exact right measurement for the envelope to be completed properly. Even if it is off just a bit, it will not fold properly.

You could technically use a ruler and scissors to measure and cut, but I prefer to using my trusted paper cutter.

Remember the old saying, "measure twice, cut once". Make sure of your measurement before you make your cuts.

Measure your card to know how big an envelope you need. Once you have done that. refer to the envelope punch board guide for the dimensions of the paper for that sized envelope.

Then cut the paper to the dimensions stated on the envelope punch board.

Step Three- Scoring The Paper

You can find the ‘Score Line’ measurements along the top of the board, left of the blue punch button. The guide for your envelope punch board will tell you where to line it up. You will line the left side of your paper on the measurement that your size envelope calls for.

When you have your paper perfectly in line with this measurement, punch the blue button to create the first notch.

You will see on the right-hand side of the paper a score line to create. With the blue scoring tool, create your first score line following the scoreline on your punch board.

Tip: Score gently (apparently, we can), or the tool will tear the paper if you press too hard.

Use The Score Tool To Create The Score Lines

Step Four-Rotating The Paper Counter Clockwize

Rotate the whole page counterclockwise, that’s to the left, and align the score line you just made in the paper precisely with the little blue end that sticks out on the punch button called the Score Guide.

Punch again and score a new line along the scoring line.

Rotate counter-clockwise, align, punch, score, repeat.

Now you can, is you wish, round your corners. The back of the blue button that notches your envelope is also a corner rounder.

Completed Punch Envelope

Complete All Sides Of Envelope

Finished Envelope

Putting It All Together

Once you have used the envelope punch board on all sides of your envelope, you are ready to put it all together.

Fold all the sides of your envelope, making sure you have the side up to form the outside of the envelope.

Use the bone folder along the folds to make sure that you edges are crisp.

You can if you would like to have the larger flap inside or outside of the two side flaps.

You can use strong double sided tape along the edges of the envelope to seal it . Or you can use glue. Personally, I prefer using the tape. It is by far less messy and will take less time to complete.

If you do decide to use the glue, make sure to lay it under a heavy book. That way when it dries, it will be flat without any buckles.

Create Box Envelopes With The Envelope Punch Board

Creating A Box Envelope

Once in a while. we all have a card that is too bulky to fit in a standard flat envelope. So, we need to create a box envelope. The envelope punch board makes it easy to create this type of envelope in minutes.

1. Select the size envelope that you would like to create.
2. Cut the paper to size
3. Align the paper on the left measurement guide
4. Notch the paper.
5. Use the scoring tool on the scoreline on the right side of your board.
6. Now create a second notch and scoreline. Move the paper one inch to the left of your original measurement.
7. Rotate the paper to the left
8. Notch and score twice again all the way around the paper.
9. Fold and crease all of your score lines. A bone folder will give you the crisp lines that you need.
10. You will see little square flaps. Cut these on the inside of the flap or you can cut them off.
11. Use double-sided tape to secure all your sides.

Creating Mini Envelopes

You can also use your envelope punch board to create mini envelopes. These are wonderful little additions to cards, scrapbook pages, journals, exploding box cards, and more.

These mini envelopes can be made with scrap pieces of paper that you have laying around in your stash. It is a perfect project that can create a little piece of embellishment.

You can add ribbons, buttons or anything else that you would like to add on to your minis.

The process is the same, you are just working in smaller sizes. I like to take some scrap paper and create a bunch of these at one time, so I have them ready when I create something that calls for just a little piece of something extra.

Punch Board Mug

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Envelope Punch Board Embellishments

How To Create Rick Rack For Embellishments

You can create a paper rick rack with your envelope punch board. You can create this embellishment with any paper. This is a great project to make with your paper scraps. Use this ides with your greeting cards, journals, scrapbook pages, and other paper projects.

1. Cut a 1" x 11" strip of card stock or DSP. Using the Envelope Punch Board punch the long edge of the strip at 5", 4", 3", 2", and 1".
2. To punch the end of the strip place the edge of the card stock in the middle of the punch and punch. Complete the second half of the same long edge by flipping the strip to finish by punching on the same measurements as before.

   
   

3. Now you're ready to scallop the opposite edge. Align the points of the scallops evenly in the middle of the punch (yes eyeball this) and continue all the way down the strip. You will notice that as you punch this side the points of the scallop of the first edge will line up with 1/2" increment marks.

Envelope Punch Board Card

Beyond Just Envelopes

This tool goes way beyond just envelopes. There is more to be done than you can imagine. Envelopes are just the beginning of what this versatile tool can do.

• Envelope With Paper Clips- Create a 2.5 by 2.5-inch envelope. Attach one end of a paperclip on the outside of the envelope. Glue a tab over the top where the paper clip shows. Attach a button and decorate. Can be used as a bookmark or a decorative add to a greeting card.
• Paper Bows-Cut three strips of paper. 2 @1 by 5 inches and 1@1 by 6 inches.Using the envelope board notch the center of one of the shorter pieces and one of the longer pieces. Using the rounder-notch side, round off those two pieces. Using the bone folder, carefully run along each side of the strips to round the strips of paper. Bring the outside of the strip to the notch in the center and adhere with double-sided tape on both sides. Notch the remaining shorter piece in the middle. Then notch on each end. Attach all the pieces one on top of another. Glue or tape a piece of ribbon to cover the center.

Creating An Envelope Album

You can create a lovely album with envelopes that you make on your envelope punch board.

Supplies

• 6 envelopes the same size ( 2 will not be put together for your cover)
• Paper
• Glue
• Brads
• String or ribbon

1. Make six envelopes on your envelope punch board. Four of them you will put together, two will hold onto still open. The two that are opened will form the front and back cover of your album.
2. Attach brads on the outside of the two envelopes in equal places.
3. Then secure the sides and the bottom of the envelopes with tape or glue.
4. Lay the one cover envelope with the brad on your work surface with the flap side up.
5. Take the second envelope and place it down with the flap side down.
6. Glue the flap down into the body of the first envelope.
7. Then fold the envelope over.
8. Continue with the other envelopes the same way until you reach the last envelope which is the back cover.
9. On the back cover, you will leave the envelope flap side up. Glue this in place.
10. Fold the flap from the first cover over the flap of the second cover
11. Attach the string to the brads
12. Embellish your album as you wish

Envelope Punch Board Tote

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• Envelope Punch Board Teacup - YouTube
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Mini File Folders

These are sweet little additions to your junk and art journals. You can create these. beauties from all your little pieces of scrap paper. And the process is simple.

1. Cut a piece of paper at 5 1/4 by 3 1/2
2. Score your paper on the horizontal side 5 1/4 " side at 2 3/4 inches (that is the fold for your mini file folder)
3. Decide which side you want to be visible on your folder (the side that you do not want to see)
4. Turn the paper so that the inside is now up facing you
5. Place your paper at the 1 3/4 mark on the envelope punch board.
6. Punch the paper.
7. Round the left corner with the corner rounder.
8. Flip the paper over so that you are on the right side up facing you
9. Place the paper at the 1 5/8 mark on your punch board.
10. Then, punch that
11. You want to cut the right side off from the very bottom of the punch out with a trimmer or a scissor. Cut in a straight line from the bottom of the punch. You will have a tab left on your left side.
12. Turn the paper so that you have the side that you want to see up. Flip it over.
13. Cut the shorter piece on this side off (the left side piece)again at the bottom of the punch out.
14. Crease the fold with a bone folder.
15. There is a 1/8 inch that needs to be cut to even out the folder
16. Ink around the edges of the folder to give it definition

More Envelope Punch Board Journal Ideas

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Final Thoughts On The Envelope Punch Board

There are a few tools that I find essential to my papercrafts. Way on the top of that list has to be the envelope punch board. Just for making envelopes, I know that my investment was well worth the cost.

Having this punch board enables me to use my scraps in very creative ways. I can make the smallest bows, file folders, and tiny envelopes. No paper goes to waste. Good for my budget and the environment too.

When you realize the extra potential for this tool, you may find that you will want to add it to your toolbox too.

© 2021 Linda F Correa

What Are Your Thoughts, Comments And Tips On The Envelope Punch Board

Linda F Correa (author) from Spring Hill Florida on April 05, 2021:

Yes, I know how you feel. I make a lot of my own cards and need envelopes to fit. I also use envelopes on my junk journals. so have this punch board saves me some time. Thank you for leaving your comment. It is appreciated.

Donna Herron from USA on April 05, 2021:

Thanks for this informative article. I've never seen or even heard of an envelope punch board, but it seems very useful tool for card makers. I usually buy blank cards and envelopes as starters for making my cards, but it's nice to know about this option. Thanks for sharing!