How to Make an Envelope for a Card from an Upcycled Cereal Box

How to make an envelope for a card from a cereal box

Hi friends, it's Natalie from Doodlecraft! If you want to learn how to make an envelope from materials you already have at home, I'm your girl!

This fun tutorial will teach you how to fold an envelope from an empty food box. Your kids and tweens will love learning the secret of envelope making from trash!

This DIY envelope is perfect for brightening someone's day by sending snail mail...or a fabulous custom Valentine card!

Or Mother's Day!

Or Christmas!

OR what about Earth Day? How fitting! I think we should all start sending Earth Day cards made from recycled materials. Who's with me?

You can learn how to make an envelope that's just the right size for a card with any paper board (or lightweight cardboard) food box.

Cereal boxes, cracker boxes, you name it - the inside of a paper board food box is perfect for decorating and doodling on.



How to make an envelope from paper magazine pages

Want to learn more ways to make an envelope? 

If you want to learn how to make an envelope in a different way, check out Carissa's popular tutorial about making envelopes from magazine pages here >> How to make an envelope from paper or magazine pages


The finished envelope is A2 size, perfect for a half sheet of paper folded in half or that awesome homemade card you created!

This envelope/card combo is lightweight enough for just one single stamp if you stick to the measurements I give you.

Homemade envelope made from paper board box
(of course, the address I'm using to show you my homemade envelope is fake - don't send my fan mail here!)

DIY Envelope Making Supplies

Some of the links below may be affiliate links where a purchase made after clicking will support this website without costing you extra!

 Supplies that you need to make a DIY envelope - empty box, ruler, scoring stylus, scissors


Directions: How to Make an Envelope from a Paper Board Box

How to fold an envelope step 1: Cut the paper board

How to cut and fold an envelope

Begin by taking your box apart at the seams in order to flatten it.

Next, cut your empty cardboard box into an 8" by 8" square with the help of your ruler and scissors.



How to fold an envelope step 2: Measure

For the rest of this tutorial, all the marking and scoring will be done on what used to be the outside of the box but will now be the inside of the envelope.

How to fold an envelope

Mark the cardboard at the halfway mark (4 inches) on all four sides.
How to make an envelope for a card from an empty cereal box


How to fold an envelope step 3: Score!

How to fold an envelope from a paper board box

Line up the ruler from one halfway mark diagonally to the mark on the other side.

Next, use the stylus to score a line. Press firmly and hold the ruler while you score (I was using my ruler hand to take this picture!).

Repeat for the opposite side of the cardboard.
how to make an envelope from a paper board box


How to fold an envelope step 4: Measure again

How to fold an envelope - turn an empty cereal or cracker box into a homemade envelope for a card
How to fold an envelope from cardstock or a cereal box

Now measure 1/2 inch on each side of the previous score lines.
Ideas for how to upcycle a cereal box - how to make an envelope

Line up the new marks and score both sides.
how to make a DIY envelope at home

Now there should be four score marks.  Fold them inside to cover the cereal box graphic.
How to fold an envelope - make a DIY homemade envelope with a cardboard box

How to fold an envelope step 5: Cut!

How to make an envelope - DIY envelope at home

After the scoring, there will be 4 little triangles on each side of the cardboard.
How to make an envelope for a card - DIY envelope making at home

 Use some scissors to cut out the triangle pieces.
How to make a homemade envelope for a card


How to fold an envelope step 6: Doodle time!

How to make a DIY envelope from a paper board box

Now use markers to cover and doodle all over the flaps of the envelope.
How to make a DIY homemade envelope - step by step instructions to make an envelope

 Leave room on the front of the envelope for the name, address, return address and stamp.
How to make an envelope for a card from recycled cereal box

 Add color or some metallic shimmer.
How to fold an envelope at home with recycled materials

How to fold an envelope step 7: Tape

How to make a DIY envelope from a cereal box that's just the right size for a card

Use the adhesive to tape the envelope together.
How to make an envelope from paper board

 Run the double-sided adhesive on the bottom edges of the 2 side flaps.  Then fold up the bottom flap and tape the 2 sides down.
How to fold a DIY paper board envelope

 Now it is simple to fit a folded card right inside the envelope.  It is the perfect fit!
how to turn a cereal box into an envelope for a card

 When ready, fold the top flap down and tape the flap close.
How to fold a DIY envelope from a recycled box

 Fill in the name and address...and add a stamp!
how to make a DIY homemade envelope

This amazing DIY envelope is less than 1 ounce, so it needs just one stamp!

Making this a super economical project and a great day to spend a cold or rainy day recycling things inside!
How to make a homemade envelope for a card


That's it!

Make a dozen and fill with Valentine's for everyone on your list!
How to make an envelope step by step! This easy tutorial shows you how to make an envelope our of cardstock or paper board (like a used cereal box). It's the perfect size for a card and the perfect way to upcycle empty boxes from your recycling bin! I love that you can make a cute envelope out of a square like this! #creativegreenliving #papercrafts #howtomakeanenvelope #upcycling #recycledcrafts #upcycledcrafts #upcycle

 Save "How to Make an Envelope for a Card from an Upcylced Cereal Box" for later!

How to make an envelope step by step! This easy tutorial shows you how to make an envelope our of cardstock or paper board (like a used cereal box). It's the perfect size for a card and the perfect way to upcycle empty boxes from your recycling bin! I love that you can make a cute envelope out of a square like this! #creativegreenliving #papercrafts #howtomakeanenvelope #upcycling #recycledcrafts #upcycledcrafts #upcycle

About the Author:

Natalie Shaw is a Craft/DIY blogger at Doodle Craft. She loves sci-fi, fantasy and video game geekery and that comes out in many of her projects. She posts budget conscious DIY’s, crafts, jewelry, kid friendly projects, upcycled treasures and other fun on her blog 5 days a week.You can find her on Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram.

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