Welcome to the wonderful world of origami envelopes! If you’ve ever wanted to add a personal touch to your letters, cards, or gift messages, you’re in the right place.
The five designs featured in this article—classic envelope, square envelope, leaf envelope, heart envelope, and birthday envelope card—each offer unique characteristics to suit different occasions and recipients.
So gather your paper, find a comfortable spot, and get ready to fold!
1. Easy Origami Envelope
Folding time: 5 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Easy, Beginner friendly
When it comes to creating an elegant and personalized touch to your correspondence, the classic origami envelope is a delightful choice.
Using just a 15×15cm square piece of paper, you can fold a charming envelope that measures approximately 8×10cm when completed. The simplicity of this design makes it perfect for beginners while still producing a sophisticated result.
If you’re looking to create a larger envelope for bigger cards or letters, simply start with a larger square paper. The proportions will remain the same, but your final product will be more spacious to accommodate your needs.
Once you’ve completed folding your envelope, why not take it to the next level with some personal decoration? In our example, we’ve added a red heart to the center, creating a lovely touch of romance. But don’t limit yourself!
Your envelope can become a canvas for your creativity. Perhaps add floral patterns, geometric designs, or even a small personalized message on the front.
2. Origami Square Envelope
Folding time: 10 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm
Difficulty: Easy
Looking for something a bit different than the standard rectangular envelope? This square envelope design might be just what you need!
Starting with a 15×15cm square paper, you’ll create a compact envelope measuring approximately 5×5cm when finished. If this seems too petite for your purposes, simply scale up by using a larger square paper to achieve your desired size. The proportions will remain consistent regardless of your starting dimensions.
What makes this square envelope truly special is its unique structure. The design features four isosceles triangles extending outward from each edge of the square. The magic happens during closing, as each triangle tucks neatly beneath its adjacent flap, creating a natural locking mechanism that secures your envelope without any need for glue or tape!
This clever self locking feature makes it perfect for holding small gifts, personal notes, or even tiny keepsakes.
3. Origami Leaf Envelope
Paper: US letter or A4 paper
Difficulty: Middle
Folding time: 15 minutes
Have you ever received a letter and found yourself just as impressed with the envelope as with the message inside? Our Leaf Envelope design brings a touch of nature to your correspondence with an elegant, integrated leaf motif that’s sure to delight your recipients.
What makes this envelope truly special is that the decorative leaf isn’t glued or attached separately—it’s created from the same piece of paper as the envelope itself! This seamless design showcases the beauty of origami through thoughtful folding techniques that transform a simple sheet into something extraordinary.
For the best results, start with a standard US Letter or A4 sized paper. While any paper will work, we strongly recommend using dual colored paper with different colors on each side. This two toned approach makes the leaf design truly pop, creating a stunning contrast between the envelope body and its natural decoration.
4. Origami Heart Envelope
Folding time: 10 minutes
Paper: 10×15 cm
Difficulty: Easy
Imagine the delight on someone’s face when they receive a letter showcased in an envelope with a magnificent heart prominently displayed on its surface!
To create this eye catching envelope, you’ll need a 10×15cm rectangular sheet of paper. Unlike many origami projects that require square paper, this design specifically works with a rectangular shape to achieve its unique proportions.
While our example shows a vibrant red heart, remember that the final appearance depends entirely on your paper selection. Choose paper with your recipient’s favorite color for a personalized touch, or experiment with patterned paper for more visual interest.
Whether you’re a beginner or experienced paper folder, this Heart Envelope offers a rewarding project that yields impressive results.
5. Origami Birthday Envelope Card
Folding time: 10 minutes
Paper: 15×15 cm / 7.5×7.5 cm
Difficulty: Easy
Can you create an envelope with a heart using only square origami paper? Absolutely! This delightful Birthday Envelope Card design proves it can be done with stunning results that will make any birthday greeting extra special.
This charming creation actually utilizes two square papers of different sizes working together beautifully. You’ll need one 15×15cm square for the main envelope body and a smaller 7.5×7.5cm square to fold the adorable heart that serves as both decoration and a clever closure for your envelope.
The finished envelope measures approximately 5.5×9cm, creating the perfect size for a birthday message, gift card, or small token of affection. Of course, if you’re looking to include something larger, simply scale up both squares proportionally. The folding technique remains identical regardless of size!
Afterthoughts
As we reach the end of our origami envelope journey, I hope you’re feeling inspired to pick up some paper and start folding!
These five envelope designs offer something for every occasion and skill level, allowing you to add a personal touch to all your written communications. Remember that each envelope you create carries not just your message, but also the care and attention you’ve put into making something by hand.
Thank you for joining me in exploring these easy origami envelope tutorials. May your letters always be meaningful, your recipients always delighted, and your paper folding always bring you joy! Happy folding!