Envelope Liner: How-to

Good morning! This weekend I worked on making envelope liners for a set of custom invitations and I figured while I was learning the process I could document it for anyone else who wants to jazz up their invitations.

My envelope liner documentary starts at the Paper Source where I bought: paper for the liners, chip board, double sided tape, and a bone folder. Combine this with the box cutter, ruler, pencil, and cutting mat that I already owned and you get this:

Quick overview of the process: Using the envelope that you're lining make a template from the chip board. With the chip board template cut liner shapes out of the paper. Insert paper into envelope, fold at flap crease and tape into place along the flap. Repeat.

Step 1: Cut a hole in the box... just kidding. I couldn't resist. Open the envelope that will be lined and trace the shape onto the chip board. I recommend using the edge of the chip board instead of placing the envelope in the center-- less cuts means less chance for errors.

Yes. I am that pale.

Step 2: Using a ruler cut the traced shape out of the chip board.

Step 3: Once you have the exact shape of the envelope cut out of the chip board, trim the chip board 1/4 of an inch all the way around, again using the ruler.

Step 4: Test the trimmed chip board template in the envelope. Make sure the seal of the envelope isn't covered by the template.


Step 5: Using the chip board template begin cutting shapes from the liner paper. The chip board is thick enough where you don't need to use a ruler as well with this step BUT the chip board isn't infallible. In the process of making 160 envelope liners, I had to create 2 new chip board templates after the one I had been using got ragged or cut. The chip board was $2 for a pack of 10 sheets so this wasn't a big deal. If you are using Paper Source envelopes they do sell plastic templates that go along with their envelopes but since I didn't use their envelopes and I couldn't use their templates I can't say whether the plastic was more durable. And again, use the edge of the paper so you can make less cuts.

I usually cut 10 or 20 at a time before I moved to the next step but for the first time go through the entire process just to ensure everything works out fine.

Step 6: Insert the liner into the envelope. I usually left a 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch below the seal of the envelope just to allow for a little shifting when it's folded.
Step 7: Using your non-dominant hand hold the paper in place and fold the flap over with your dominant hand. Or do it however feels comfortable. The only reason I specify is that I'm left handed so this may look backwards to you. I know I had a tendency to get confused when I looked up knitting instructions online because they were always done right handed so just trying to be clear. :) Since I couldn't take the photo showing both hands I added on the photo where I'd hold the liner in place when I folded it.


Step 7: Using the bone folder, run the edge along the fold of the flap to get a crisp fold. This time I usually would hold the paper at the flap so I could keep both the flat and folded parts of the liner in place. I bought a plastic bone folder because we were using light colored envelopes but an employee at the Paper Source told me that if you're using darker envelopes to get the most expensive (possibly teflon) bone folder so it doesn't leave a sheen on the darker envelopes.


Step 8: Open the envelope flap leaving the liner still folded and apply double sided tape along the edges. The "double-sided tape" I used was more like thin glue that rolled off the dispenser, so it was very thin and you couldn't see outlines when it adhered. I used Therm O Web Memory Tape Runner which worked great EXCEPT the Paper Source near me apparently never has refills available. I hear that's not the case in most stores but just to save yourself some trouble, when you buy your dispenser-- check they have refills or you'll end up having to buy another dispenser just to get more tape like I did.


Step 9: Things may have shifted when you were applying the tape so re-center the liner left to right in the envelope and make sure the fold of the liner is against the fold of the envelope and then re-fold the envelope over the tape and press gently over the envelope flap to seal the two together!

Step 10: Re-open envelope flap and admire your handiwork.


Re-fold the envelope flap and stack envelopes closed to keep the nice crease in the envelope and liner.

So ta-da! Lovely lined envelopes adding a nice touch to your invitations. With most DIY projects the steps are easy but do take time. To create 160 liners and then add the invitations, it took around 6 hours. Spread out over 2 days it wasn't so bad but just something to keep in mind while you're planning.

Lastly, as I said before, these envelope liners are for custom invitations. I'm sure the bride doesn't want her info splashed all over the internet so I'm trying to think what couple the invitation should be called from here on out. The inspiration we started with was "seaside eleagance...the reception site is really beautiful and elegant, so I don't want any of those casual beachy wedding invitations that I keep seeing." At first I was thinking Odysseus and Penelope since Odysseus had quite the long sea voyage although lately I think Ferdinand and Miranda would be a better match but, honestly, I bet most people's first thought reading that was "I thought Miranda was with Steve..." We are both correct because the Miranda I was thinking was from the Tempest (which I happened to see at the Globe Theatre in London in the rain [it's an ampitheatre] with Vanessa Redgraves as Prospero) not Miranda from Sex in the City (who was with Steve). And Jack/Kate/Sawyer from LOST doesn't really tap into the "elegant" aspect so does anyone have any more seaside couples they want to suggest?

Eye Candy

So, much like Persephone I've been lured back into the dark scary world of Corporate America (via my new office in the attic) which is why you hear crickets on the blog.

But there have been wedding designs creeping in there and breaking up the monotony. Firstly being my lovely cousin who I'll refer to as: (surprise) Lovely Cousin who is getting married... soon.

It's the seaside equivalent of the new Adam + Eve. Like if those crazy kids went for a destination wedding. The colors my cousin is using in her wedding are what I'd call "Fall-but-not-orange" colors. Chocolate, cranberry, sage, creams... which just saying makes me want to cook rich foods but also buy decadent fall boots. Anyway-- ta da!


I've changed all the names to their most generic.

Also I've been working on some custom wedding invitations. No, I'm not going to post hers before we've settled on the very last details, but I will post a design that was in one of my first rounds that she decided to pass on. It's simple. Like really simple but I loooove it. Maybe it's because I'm a font nerd, who knows? Oh note to self-- post new fonts that are in play.

I love that inky navy blue but I also like the flowing colors so it's whatever floats your boat. I chose Napoleon and Josephine because I've been reading Lauren Willig books but I'm not 100% sold on it. Anyone have any other suggestions for couples?

I hope you like it! Unfortunately the fonts will have to wait until next time because I'm going to a concert tonight and need to remember how to put on makeup before I go out!

Have a lovely tuesday night everyone!

Allie and Noah

Like sorbet after a big meal, I'll slide some more previews into the mix between our Gifts for Guys posts.

This is the only one of my designs I've used a photograph before. You usually don't think of photographs in wedding invitations but, in fact, I think this is really traditional and classic looking. I hope you enjoy!

(I don't know if I've written this before but if you are a bride interested in any of my designs, just let me know. Let me know your information (via comments or (quickest method) email) and I'll get you prices lickety split!)

And, don't forget, stay tuned for the next installment of Gifts for Guys!

I'll have what she's having

So I maaay have said that the last one was my favorite buuuut I think this one is my new favorite. (Any bets on how many "favorite"s I have by this time next year?)

Without further ado:Left to right from top to bottom: Invitations/RSVP/Accommodations/Map (see below for more description), Menu, Table Number, Place Card, folding diagram

This one takes some explaining too. First of all, all the designs posted are usually at about 60% of their size once you double click to get the "full" size otherwise you'd have to scroll all over the place to see them. Since this design is 4 times the length when it's unfolded- it's about 30%.
In the bottom right corner there's a small mock up how the invitation would look folded. BUT for jollies I'll walk us through it.

The invitation is 4 panels printed on both sides. This is another one where you can go to town customizing it to tell your story. For Harry and Sally the first panel says:

1 roadtrip
3 introductions
12 years
4 new year’s parties
2 friends
and in 3 months

Then the second panel opens to say:

1 happily ever after

Open to the third panel is a traditional invitation. The fourth panel is a photo of whatever your heart desires. An engagement photo, a drawing that has meaning to you, a family tree- it's up to you! That photo also happens to be the reverse side of an RSVP postcard that your guests fill out and mail back to you.

So that brings us to the back. As I said, the first back panel is the RSVP. The second panel is what I generally refer to in my head as an "extras" panel. I did "accommodations" for this design but you can do "directions", other events for the wedding weekend. For the last two panels I did a big map, so please if you're having your wedding in lower Manhattan- please make my re-drawing of half of Manhattan for something other than a fictional couple! :)

The rest of the elements are back to the 60% size you're used to, as opposed to giant-like compared to the invite.

What I really love about this series is that it has less to do with "My colors are 'BLUSH' and 'BASHFUL' and everything WILL be in one of those two colors even if it looks like the Church is covered in Pepto Bismol" (oh don't worry, though, we'll get to Shelby and Jackson from Steel Magnolias, oh yes we will) and more about creating a feeling for your big day. This says swank sophisticated fun wedding to me.

Hopefully it's saying nice things to you too.

That's what she said! [Old Version with added New Version]

I love the Office so when I started picked couples for invitations Jim and Pam were one of the first to come to mind.

These are a little farther out of the box that most marketing managers would go for but have endless possibilities for customization, and in case you missed it, they're a lot of fun. Also you can adorn them with as much office supplies as you can pilfer from your current employer!

Clockwise from top to bottom: Invitations, RSVP (front) and RSVP (back) [the RSVPs for this design are a postcard that your guests can mail back to you after filling out the proper forms and notarizing it {kidding}], Directions, Place Card, Table Number, and Menu.

The "Inter-Department Delivery" on the front of the RSVP is customized to highlight key moments in your relationship, jokes you may have with each other, or can introduce your wedding party.

Make sure you double click on the image to get a slightly large version so you are able to read all of the fields. If it's still too small and you'd like clarification just leave me a message and I'll let you know what it all says.

Finally some quick ideas I've had while creating these if you want to take it to that level:

• Organizing the place cards in a Rolodex


• Artfully paper clipping everything together in the envelope


• Having coffee drinks (with alcohol) as your signature drink at the wedding


• Powerpoint slideshow of the bride and groom at the reception


• Coordinating website for the wedding

If you have any more suggestions let me know and I'll add them to the list.

[Edited to add: Some things seem hard to read even in the larger size so under the names in the invitation it says "first name, last name" and under the Church it says "enter meeting location in the space provided above". On the RSVP the choices to reply are: "I plan on attending this meeting/I plan on attending this meeting and have cc’ed the request to these others in my department/I am unable to attend due to a previously scheduled budget conference call". Hope this helps]

[Edited to add- July 10th, 2008- the above picture is for the original design I had for this. I liked the concept but was never 100% about the actual outcome. Right before I opened the etsy store I had a burst of creativity and redesigned the line to the following.]

You're the one that I want!

Do-wah-do-wah-do-waaaa! Oo Oo Oo!

Grease fans? Anyone?

Well here it is: my 50s girlie-girl invitations. This will be available in a multitude of colors besides pink so don't freak out if you like it but haven't worn pink since your Mother stopped dressing you.

Clockwise from top to bottom: Invitations, RSVP, Menu, Table Numbers, Place Card, and Details (This can be anything you'd like. I've featured "accomodations" and "weekend events").


I'll also let you in on a little secret: I'm putting the finishing touches on one of my absolute favorite designs today so check back later and there may be another set featured that's wayyy down the other end of the spectrum from these... Curiosity piqued? See you later!

Bogey and Bacall

As promised while we're all waiting for the website to be finished here is a preview of Bogey and Bacall:


From top to bottom: Invitations, RSVP, Details (This can be anything you'd like. I've featured "accomodations" and "other events"), Table Number, Menu, and Place Card.