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Home » Origami

Easy Origami Envelope

Feb 8, 2026 by Emily · Leave a Comment

Looking for a quick and practical way to hold notes, cards, or small gifts?

This easy origami envelope is an great origami project for beginners that turns a single sheet of square paper into a neat, functional envelope.

Perfect for gift cards, handwritten notes, or small keepsakes, this fold is both satisfying to make and visually appealing.

Simple, versatile, and reusable, it’s a project that adds a personal touch while keeping your items organized.

Stack of origami envelopes.
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Pattern
  • Skill Level
  • Materials Needed
  • Instructions
  • Tips For Success
  • Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations
  • FAQ
  • Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:
  • Helpful Tips and Common Mistakes For Paper Crafts
  • Stay Connected
  • Other Patterns You Might Like To Try:
  • Comments

Sometimes the simplest solutions are the most satisfying. This easy origami envelope allows you to turn one square sheet of paper into a tidy, functional envelope for notes, cards, or small keepsakes.

This fold is an easy origami project for beginners, offering a practical, hands-on way to make something useful without any special tools or materials.

Whether you’re sending a thank-you note, gift card, or a small handmade token, this origami envelope is perfect for adding a personal touch.

Once you fold your first envelope, you’ll naturally start making them for invitations, party favors, or storing receipts and small papers at home.

It’s also a great gift idea, showing thoughtfulness with minimal effort.

By experimenting with different colors, patterns, or textures, you can create envelopes that suit any occasion while keeping the process fun and beginner-friendly.

Origami envelope.

Why You'll Love This Pattern

  • Quick and practical: Make a functional envelope from one square sheet in minutes
  • Great for using up scrap paper, or practicing your origami skills.
  • Beginner-friendly: Perfect for anyone new to origami
  • Customizable: Use any color or patterned paper to match your style or occasion
  • Perfect for gifting: Ideal for cards, small notes, or gift cards (great gift idea)
  • Hands-on, creative, and produces something both beautiful and useful

Skill Level

★☆☆☆☆ (Easy)

Materials Needed

  • 1 x square sheet of origami paper (e.g. 16 inches [15 cm])

Instructions

Step 1: Start with the color you want your envelope to be facing down. Arrange your paper to sit like a diamond shape.

Step 2: Fold the bottom point up to meet the top point.

Step 3: Unfold previous step.

Step 4: Fold the left point to meet the right point, but only crease in the middle to leave a mark.

Step 5: Unfold previous step.

Step 6: Fold the bottom point up to meet the middle.

Steps 1 to 6 for folding an origami envelope.

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Step 7: Fold the bottom edge up along the existing middle horizontal crease line.

Step 8: Fold the left point to meet the right point but only crease in the middle to leave a crease mark.

Step 9: Unfold previous step.

Step 10: Fold the left point towards the right so that it sits past the middle crease (at least 0.60 inches [1.5 cm]) mark you made in step 8.

Step 11: Fold the right point towards the left so that it overlaps the left flap slightly. Tip: you want to fold it a little bit more than you did the left. This will help keep the seal (that you will make in the next step) in the center. Try to keep it as symmetrical as possible to make your final envelope look neater.

Step 12: Fold the same right point back towards the right slightly as shown. We recommend folding it at least 0.40 inches (1 cm) wide. Once folded, it’s folded edge should align with the small mark in the middle you made in step 8.

Steps 7 to 12 for folding an origami envelope.

Step 13: Open out the little flap you folded in the previous step so that it forms a square when flattened.

Step 14: Fold the top point down to meet the bottom edge. Then insert the top point into the bottom pocket (that you made in step 13).Completed envelope with diamond seal.

Tip: you can change the width of your final envelope slightly by adjusting how you fold in steps 10 and 11.

Steps 13 to 14 for folding an origami envelope.

Tips For Success

  • Align edges carefully to ensure the envelope closes properly
  • Practice once with scrap paper before using your final sheet
Close up image of paper envelopes.

Color, Paper Ideas, and Variations

  • Solid colors for a clean, classic look
  • Patterned paper for festive or playful occasions
  • Kraft or recycled paper for a natural, minimalist style
  • Metallic, pastel, or textured paper for a unique finish
  • Great for handwritten notes, thank-you cards, or invitations, organizing small papers, receipts, or stamps

FAQ

Do I need scissors or glue?

No—this project uses a single square sheet of paper.

Is this suitable for beginners?

Absolutely. This is an easy origami project for beginners, perfect for first-time folders.

Can I use any type of paper?

Yes, though thinner paper folds more cleanly, while thicker paper provides sturdiness.

Other Paper Crafts You Might Like To Try:

  • Traditional Origami
  • Origami Poinsettia
  • How To Make Easy Origami Claws
  • DIY Paper Chain
  • Bat Origami Corner Bookmark
  • Standing Origami Heart

Helpful Tips and Common Mistakes For Paper Crafts

Paper crafting and origami can be hard sometimes. Which is why we've made this printable PDF just for you.

It outlines helpful tips so that you can successfully complete your craft, and some of the most common mistakes people come across.

You can download the helpful tips and common mistakes for paper crafts printable PDF here.

Stay Connected

Made this pattern? Let us know how it went in the comments below!

Pin this post - Pin now to take your paper crafting skills to the next level.

Share on Instagram or Facebook - Capture the beauty of your finished paper craft project and share it on Instagram or Facebook! Tag us @foldyourway so we can see your work!

Purple and pink origami envelopes.

Other Patterns You Might Like To Try:

Looking for other easy patterns like this? Try these:

  • Pink origami envelope with heart closure.
    Origami Envelope With Heart Closure
  • Close up of paper envelopes.
    DIY Paper Envelope
  • Close up image of a standing Christmas tree napkin fold.
    Standing Christmas Tree Napkin Fold
  • Halloween origami collage.
    Halloween Origami Projects
  • Origami collage of kids projects.
    How To Make Easy Origami For Kids
  • Origami collage.
    Origami Step By Step Instructions
  • Collection of traditional origami projects.
    Traditional Origami
  • Origami wreath.
    Easy Halloween Paper Wreath

More Origami

  • Close up image of origami claws.
    How To Make Easy Origami Claws
  • Close up image of an origami wreath.
    How To Make An Easy Origami Wreath
  • Origami bookmarks.
    Bat Origami Corner Bookmark
  • Origami Christmas tree.
    3D Origami Christmas Tree

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Author image.

Hi there, welcome to Fold Your Way!

My name is Emily. I am the founder, crafter, and photographer behind Fold Your Way.

More about me →

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