In need of a nice and easy-to-make envelope for a gift?
As I was researching the previous post about origami-related postage stamps, I came across this Spanish origami envelope. It is traditionally used to hold postage stamps.
This is a lovely model not only for it’s original intended purpose, but it is also adaptable for other uses. Best of all it can be made in less than two minutes!
If you make it in different sized and attractively patterned papers, it can be a spur-of-the-moment gift envelope. Or, as I recently discovered, it can be made to hold salt and pepper for an outing or picnic.
This origami envelope is made with a square piece of paper and it takes only six folds to complete one. Take two minutes to watch this short video and learn how easy it is to make.
Tips and suggestions
Here are some sizes for the squares and the approximate size of the resulting origami envelope.
- To hold postage stamps A square 6 x 6 inches (15 x 15 cm.) will make an envelope about 3.5 x 2.25 inches (9.5 x 6 cm.)
- A money gift wrap A square 8 x 8 inches (20 x 20 cm.) will make an envelope about 5 x 3 inches (13 x 8 cm.)
- To hold business cards A square 7 x 7 inches (18 x 18 cm.) will make an envelope about 4 x 2.75 inches (10.5 x 7 cm.)
- For a post card A square 11×11 inches (28 x 28 cm.) will make an envelope about 7 x 5 inches (16 x 10 cm.)
You can decorate the envelope by adding a contrasting-color ribbon.
So, have fun making this easy-to-make origami envelope and let us know how you use it!
. . . . . . . . .
Have you seen our selection of printable origami papers?
Click here to buy and download yours instantly
I just used this tutorial for a paper ticket printed od A4 – and it works great! From the square 36×36 cm the envelope is 21,7 x 14,7 cm, and it is enough room for the short side of A4.
If you want to fold your A4 paper just in half, use 38×38 cm square :)
Excellent, thank you for sharing how you made this envelope. Welcome to Origami Spirit!
I love it because is simple, usefull and minimalist! Easy to teach for my students.
In the classroom, each one has an envelope to exchange messages between classmates. I think I’ll ask them to fold their own envelope.
I started to used it as a place to segragate my little origami papers.
Thank you.
It didn’t work for me sorry. It was too quick aswell :(
Try pausing it and doing it
The perfection of origami…simple, useful and elegant. Perfect to put a gift money card in and include in a Christmas card to a grandchild…or anyone!YOU ARE ONE OF THE BEST INSTRUCTORS ON THE INTERNET!
Thank you Jean!
My aunt is Okinawan and I wanted to make one for her angel that I am sending her .Aunt Naoko make’s hers’ a little different but I like you way too. To my little pocket angel will have it’s own little envelope to keep it safe inside the card I am sending her! Thank you so much for this editorial ! <3 it!
fantastic
Love the simplicity of this project! Awesome last-minute envelope for the Christmas rush!
I love it and as you know xmas is coming and I’m planning to use it a lot.
My friend was having a stressful day, so I put a little note and a packet of chamomile tea in the envelope and taped it to her dorm door. :D
What a nice gesture Liz, I hope your friend is feeling better. Thank you for sharing.
I love this little envelope and also think it would make a nice card for Christmas stocking or a wallet to keep business cards organized and to keep wandering around in my handbag
Bravo super
Oceo
Terrific little envelope and so quick to make. I think it would be great to tuck cash cards into for Xmas stockings, or stick into a birthday card. Thanks for sharing this fun project and have a great day. :-)
Does you printable paper require a lot of ink when printing.
Thank you
Hi Andrew,
I couldn’t tell you exactly how much ink it will take. I tent to print the black and white designs more often, and leave the color designs for special occasions