Envelope templates by size
Each size prints at full size on one Letter or A4 sheet, so the finished envelope matches a shop-bought one; long nets are turned sideways to fit. The
A7 envelope template (5 1/4 × 7 1/4 in) for 5 × 7 invitations
The standard envelope for 5 × 7 inch invitations, announcements and cards. With its flaps the net is about 8 × 10 1/4 inches, so it prints full size on Letter or A4.
A2 envelope template (4 3/8 × 5 3/4 in) for note cards
Holds 4 1/4 × 5 1/2 inch note cards and thank-you cards, the size of a Letter sheet folded in quarters. Prints full size on Letter or A4.
C6 envelope template (114 × 162 mm) for A6 cards
The ISO envelope for A6 cards and postcards, and for A4 folded in four. With 6 mm margins one A4 or Letter sheet makes one full-size envelope.
DL envelope template (110 × 220 mm) for A4 folded in three
The long letter envelope, also used for DL invitations, leaflets and compliment slips. The net is about 253 × 198 mm, so it prints full size on A4 or Letter, turned sideways.
What prints with the starting settings
| Paper | US Letter — 215.9 × 279.4 mm (8.5 × 11 in) |
|---|---|
| Finished envelope | 114 × 162 mm |
| Folds | Dashed lines; cut along solid lines |
| Margins | 0.236″ top, 0.236″ sides |
| Line weight | 0.18 mm (bold 0.35 mm) |
| Print setting | Scale 100% / Actual size |
Make your own envelopes
A handmade envelope turns a card into a gift. It is also practical: when you need one envelope in an odd colour, or a few to match a set of invitations, a template and a sheet of paper are quicker than a shop.
Envelope sizes and the paper they need
The envelope net is the finished envelope plus its four flaps, so it is always much bigger than the envelope itself. Every size except C5 fits one Letter or A4 sheet at full size, turned sideways when that fits better; the preview tells you if a net has been reduced.
| Envelope | Finished size | Holds | Prints full size on |
|---|---|---|---|
| A7 | 5 1/4 × 7 1/4 in | 5 × 7 in invitations, cards and photos | Letter or A4 |
| A2 | 4 3/8 × 5 3/4 in | 4 1/4 × 5 1/2 in note cards | Letter or A4 |
| #10 | 4 1/8 × 9 1/2 in | US Letter folded in three | Letter or A4, sideways |
| DL | 110 × 220 mm | A4 folded in three, DL leaflets (99 × 210 mm) | A4 or Letter, sideways |
| C6 | 114 × 162 mm | A6 cards (105 × 148 mm), A4 folded in four | A4 or Letter, 6 mm margins |
| C5 | 162 × 229 mm | A5, or A4 folded once | A3 or Tabloid |
A7: the 5 × 7 invitation envelope
5 × 7 inches is the standard size for wedding invitations, party invitations, birth announcements and many greeting cards, and the A7 envelope is made for it. Making your own lets you match the paper to the invitation, use colours that are hard to find in stores, and line the envelopes with patterned paper. An invitation suite often uses two sizes: A7 for the invitation and a smaller A2 for an RSVP card. Gift tags and place cards can be printed from the gift tag sheet in matching paper.
A2: the note card envelope
A2 is the everyday North American size for folded note cards, thank-you cards and small invitations. Because a Letter sheet folded in quarters makes a 4 1/4 × 5 1/2 inch card, an A2 envelope is the natural partner for home-printed cards, and its net prints at full size on a single Letter or A4 sheet.
C6: the A6 card envelope
C6 is the envelope designed for A6, the size of most postcards and greeting cards outside North America, and for a sheet of A4 folded in quarters. One A4 sheet makes one envelope, and the finished size matches shop-bought C6 envelopes. The ISO C series is designed around the A series: C6 holds A6, C5 holds A5, and C4 holds A4 flat. The paper sizes guide lists every dimension.
DL: the envelope for A4 folded in three
DL is the classic European business and letter envelope: an A4 sheet folded in three slips in neatly with a little room to spare. It is also the usual size for wedding invitations, leaflets and gift vouchers printed on DL card. Its US counterpart is the #10 business envelope, which holds Letter folded in three.
How to make an envelope
- Print at 100% / Actual size and measure the body rectangle: 7 1/4 × 5 1/4 in for A7, 5 3/4 × 4 3/8 in for A2, 162 × 114 mm for C6, 220 × 110 mm for DL.
- Cut along the solid outline.
- Score the dashed lines with a ruler and a blunt knife or an empty ballpoint pen, for crisp folds.
- Fold in the side flaps, then fold up the bottom flap and glue it to the side flaps. Leave it to dry flat under a book.
- Insert the card or letter and close the top flap with a glue stick, double-sided tape, a sticker or a wax seal sticker.
Paper and decorating
- Paper weight. Text-weight paper of about 90–120 gsm, or light card, folds cleanly and goes through most printers. Score heavy card stock firmly before folding, or print the template on plain paper and trace it.
- Patterned outside. Print the template on the back of patterned scrapbook paper, so the pattern ends up on the outside.
- Stencils. Most patterned paper comes smaller than A3, so print the template once on plain paper, cut it out, and trace round it onto gift wrap, wallpaper samples, maps or magazine pages. A stencil cut from card makes a whole batch quick.
- Liners. Glue a slightly smaller piece of patterned paper inside the top flap; contrasting liners suit wedding stationery.
Printing tips
Print at 100% / Actual size. Any scaling makes the envelope too small for its card, so measure the body of the first print before cutting a stack. To print the addresses, the envelope address printer makes a PDF sized to your envelopes.
Frequently asked questions
Which envelope sizes are included?
Will the template fit on my paper?
A2, A7, C6, DL and #10 all fit on one Letter or A4 sheet at full size with the margins set to 6 mm; the long #10 and DL nets are turned sideways. C5, the largest, needs Tabloid or A3. If a net does not fit, it is scaled down and a note on the sheet says by how much.
What fits in an A7 envelope?
5 × 7 inch cards, invitations and photos. The envelope is 5 1/4 × 7 1/4 inches, leaving 1/8 inch of room on each side. The A7 template prints at full size on Letter or A4.
What fits in an A2 envelope?
A2 cards, which are 4 1/4 × 5 1/2 inches, the size you get by folding a US Letter sheet into quarters. The A2 template prints at full size on Letter or A4.
What fits in a C6 envelope?
A6 cards and postcards (105 × 148 mm), and an A4 sheet folded twice. C6 is 114 × 162 mm, a few millimetres larger than A6 all round.
Why are the margins 6 mm?
The C6 net is about 196 × 222 mm, slightly wider than an A4 page's usual printable area. With 6 mm margins it fits at full size on A4 and US Letter; most home printers can print that close to the edge. If yours can't, print on A3, or let the generator scale it down and use the smaller envelope for a smaller card.
What fits in a DL envelope, and what is the US equivalent?
An A4 sheet folded in three, DL-size leaflets and invitations (99 × 210 mm), and compliment slips. The US equivalent is the #10 business envelope, 4 1/8 × 9 1/2 inches (105 × 241 mm), which holds US Letter folded in three.
I only have a Letter or A4 printer. Which envelopes can I make?
All of them except C5 print at full size on Letter or A4. For C5, many copy shops print Tabloid and A3 cheaply: print one template there, cut it out, and trace it onto any paper you like at home.
How do I make the envelope?
Cut along the solid lines, fold the side flaps in along the dashed lines, fold the bottom flap up and glue it to the side flaps, then fold the top flap down to close.
Can I make envelopes from patterned paper?
Yes. Print the template on plain paper, cut it out and trace round it onto wrapping paper, maps or magazine pages.
Is it suitable for posting?
Usually, if made from sturdy paper and properly sealed. In the UK and much of Europe, C6 is a standard letter size. Postal services have rules about size and thickness, so check yours for unusual sizes.
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