Hello all! If you’re like me, you have a collection of envelopes that could be used for sending out cards, but they’re not the uniform A2 size (5.5″ x 4.25″). They’re either too big, and your card is half the size of the envelope, or it’s too small, and the card doesn’t fit. You can make custom card bases to fit inside these envelopes! Follow along to see how.
[If you’re a beginner and are wondering what card bases are, click here to read an earlier blog post about card bases, and then here to find out how to use your card bases.]
I have nine different sizes envelopes, and the method is the same for any size envelope.
I’ll list the technique and measurements for each envelope, but it is completely adaptable to any size envelope you may have!
The Technique
Note: I only use 8/5″ x 11″ cardstock for my card bases, so this method is based off that size paper. You may need to make adjustments if you use 12 x 12 cardstock.
1. Measure your envelope. Measure the bottom first, then the side. For reference, I will refer to the bottom measurement as A and the side measurement as B.
2. Subtract a quarter of an inch from each measurement. For example, if your card measures 7 inches (A) by 5 inches (B), then you will want your card base measurement to be 6.75 by 4.75. This will ensure a proper fit into your envelope!
To simplify things, I like to keep my card measurements at the .25″ mark. For example, for an envelope that measures 7.15 x 4, I will adjust it to 7 inches, instead of trying to figure out what a quarter inch of 7.15 is.
3. Place your cardstock in your paper trimmer vertical (so the long side is parallel to the blade). Line your paper up at your A measurement and cut.
4. Flip your paper so that it is horizontal.
5. Double your B number and cut at that number. Do not remove from trimmer.
6. Slide your paper over to your original B number and score.
7. Fold on the score line, and this gives you your completed card base!
Envelope size: 7.25 inches by 3.75 inches
2. Card base size = 7 inches by 3.50 inches
3. Insert paper into trimmer vertically and cut at 7 inches.
4. Flip your paper so it is horizontal.
5. 3.50 doubled = 7. Cut at 7 inches. Do not remove from trimmer.
6. Slide your paper to 3.5 inches and score.
Envelope size: 7.15 inches by 4 inches
2. Card base size = 7 inches by 3.75 inches
3. Insert paper into trimmer vertically and cut at 7 inches.
4. Flip your paper so it is horizontal.
5. 3.75 doubled = 7.5. Cut at 7.5 inches. Do not remove from trimmer.
6. Slide your paper to 3.75 inches and score.
Envelope size: 5.50 inches by 3.75 inches
2. Card base size = 5.25 inches by 3.50 inches
3. Insert paper into trimmer vertically and cut at 5.25 inches.
4. Flip your paper so it is horizontal.
5. 3.50 doubled = 7. Cut at 7 inches. Do not remove from trimmer.
6. Slide your paper to 3.50 inches and score.
Envelope size: 5.25 inches by 5.25 inches
2. Card base size = 5 inches by 5 inches
3. Insert paper into trimmer vertically and cut at 5 inches.
4. Flip your paper so it is horizontal.
5. 5 doubled =10. Cut at 10 inches. Do not remove from trimmer.
6. Slide your paper to 5 inches and score.
Envelope size: 5 inches by 5 inches
2. Card base size = 4.75 inches by 4.75 inches
3. Insert paper into trimmer vertically and cut at 4.75 inches.
4. Flip your paper so it is horizontal.
5. 4.75 doubled = 9.5. Cut at 9.5 inches. Do not remove from trimmer.
6. Slide your paper to 4.75 inches and score.
Envelope size: 5.50 inches by 4.25 inches
2. Card base size = 5.25 inches by 4 inches
3. Insert paper into trimmer vertically and cut at 5.25 inches.
4. Flip your paper so it is horizontal.
5. 4 doubled = 8. Cut at 8 inches. Do not remove from trimmer.
6. Slide your paper to 4 inches and score.
Envelope size: 7.25 inches by 5.15 inches
2. Card base size = 7 inches by 5 inches
3. Insert paper into trimmer vertically and cut at 7 inches.
4. Flip your paper so it is horizontal.
5. 5 doubled = 10. Cut at 10 inches. Do not remove from trimmer.
6. Slide your paper to 5 inches and score.
Envelope size: 7 inches by 5 inches
2. Card base size = 6.75 inches by 4.75 inches
3. Insert paper into trimmer vertically and cut at 6.75 inches.
4. Flip your paper so it is horizontal.
5. 4.75 doubled = 9.5. Cut at 9.5 inches. Do not remove from trimmer.
6. Slide your paper to 4.75 inches and score.
Envelope size: 6.75 inches by 4.65 inches
2. Card base size = 6.5 inches by 4.5 inches
3. Insert paper into trimmer vertically and cut at 6.5 inches.
4. Flip your paper so it is horizontal.
5. 4.5 doubled = 9. Cut at 9 inches. Do not remove from trimmer.
6. Slide your paper to 4.5 inches and score.
I hope this helps you use up your envelopes that you have! Any questions or comments, feel free to post!
Stay creative,
Jen
The Inky Flamingo | Stamp with Jen Vitek 
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