15 Classic Origami Envelopes for All Skill Levels

Origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, offers an engaging and practical way to create beautiful objects from a simple piece of paper. One of the most popular and useful origami creations is the envelope. These can be used for sending letters, storing small items, or even gifting presents. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced folder, there’s a range of origami envelope designs to suit all skill levels. In this article, we explore 15 classic origami envelope designs, from easy beginner projects to complex, eye-catching creations.

Why Make Origami Envelopes?

Origami envelopes bring a personal touch to any letter or gift. Not only do they add a sense of creativity and customization, but they also help you reduce waste by avoiding store-bought envelopes. You can choose the perfect size and paper for any occasion, making them perfect for everything from love notes to formal invitations. Below, we’ve categorized envelopes by skill level, so whether you’re new to origami or experienced, you’ll find a design that fits your expertise.

Beginner-Friendly Envelopes

1. Simple Square Origami Envelope

The simple square origami envelope is the most basic of all designs, requiring minimal folds and no complicated steps. This easy-to-make envelope is a great starting point for those new to origami, and it can be completed in just a few minutes. With a little extra effort, you can decorate this envelope to add a unique personal touch.

Best For: Quick notes, small cards
Skill Level: Beginner

2. Origami Heart Envelope

Perfect for love letters or romantic notes, the origami heart envelope turns a simple piece of paper into a heart-shaped package. This charming design is ideal for Valentine’s Day or any time you want to show someone special that you care. It’s easy to make and can be personalized with colors or patterns.

Best For: Romantic notes, Valentine’s Day
Skill Level: Beginner

Intermediate Envelopes

3. Origami Envelope Letter Fold

This is a clever design that combines the concept of a letter and an envelope into one. The origami envelope letter fold allows you to create a neat envelope directly from the letter you’re writing, making it both practical and elegant. It’s ideal for personal notes, invitations, or correspondence that requires a minimalistic and sleek presentation.

Best For: Personal letters, formal notes
Skill Level: Intermediate

4. Paper Storage Pocket

The paper storage pocket is a practical origami design that allows you to store bulkier items such as papers, photos, or stickers. It’s an upgrade from the basic envelope, offering more space and a sturdier structure. This design is especially useful for those who want to organize or store small paper items securely.

Best For: Storing documents, photos, stickers
Skill Level: Intermediate

Advanced Envelopes

5. Origami Popup Envelope Box

This sophisticated design opens into a small box, making it perfect for storing or gifting small items like jewelry or candy. The popup envelope box takes more time and skill to create but offers a unique and delightful surprise for the recipient. Its combination of functionality and beauty makes it ideal for special occasions.

Best For: Gift-giving, small items
Skill Level: Advanced

6. Origami Hexagonal Envelope

For those with a bit more origami experience, the hexagonal envelope is an impressive and geometrically stunning design. Its six-sided shape stands out from traditional envelopes, making it perfect for occasions where you want to add a sophisticated touch to your correspondence or gift.

Best For: Special occasions, unique packaging
Skill Level: Advanced

7. Origami Envelope Box

The origami envelope box offers both form and function, combining the characteristics of a standard envelope with the structure of a small box. It’s perfect for gifting slightly larger items like trinkets, folded notes, or small crafts. This design is not only practical but also adds a decorative touch.

Best For: Gifting small items, special occasions
Skill Level: Advanced

8. Origami Twist Envelope

The origami twist envelope is perfect for those looking for an elegant and intricate design. With a stylish twist closure, this envelope is ideal for formal events, invitations, or thank-you notes. While it requires advanced folding techniques, the finished product is sleek and sophisticated.

Best For: Invitations, formal notes
Skill Level: Advanced

Creative Variations and Designs

9. Origami Diamond Envelope

The origami diamond envelope brings a modern and geometric aesthetic to your envelopes. Its diamond-like shape makes it stand out, and it’s perfect for sending decorative notes or using it as part of formal event invitations. This design offers a great balance between beauty and functionality.

Best For: Decorative notes, formal occasions
Skill Level: Intermediate

10. Origami Star Envelope

The origami star envelope offers a fun and festive look, ideal for birthdays or holiday letters. Its star-shaped appearance adds a playful element to your correspondence, making it a popular choice for festive occasions and celebratory events.

Best For: Birthday cards, festive letters
Skill Level: Intermediate

11. Origami Wallet Envelope

The origami wallet envelope is both functional and stylish, making it perfect for holding cash, gift cards, or important documents. Its secure folding technique ensures that your items stay safe, while its sleek design adds a touch of sophistication.

Best For: Gifting money, holding documents
Skill Level: Intermediate

12. Origami Gift Envelope

This envelope is designed to hold small gifts such as jewelry or other small items. Its structure provides durability, while the decorative folds add elegance to your presentation. This envelope is perfect for birthdays, anniversaries, or any occasion that requires a personal touch.

Best For: Small gifts, special occasions
Skill Level: Intermediate

13. Origami Business Envelope

For a professional and clean look, the origami business envelope is a great choice. It’s ideal for holding documents, invitations, or business cards and works well for corporate events or formal correspondence. The minimalist design gives off a professional vibe.

Best For: Business documents, professional invitations
Skill Level: Intermediate

14. Origami Floral Envelope

This floral-themed envelope incorporates intricate flower patterns into the design, making it perfect for weddings, thank-you notes, or any occasion that requires a decorative touch. The floral design adds a delicate and elegant look, suitable for more formal settings.

Best For: Weddings, thank-you notes, decorative letters
Skill Level: Advanced

15. Origami Animal Envelope

For a fun and light-hearted touch, the origami animal envelope features designs inspired by different animals. Whether it’s a cat, bird, or another playful creature, these envelopes are perfect for children’s letters, themed events, or casual correspondence that’s sure to bring a smile to the recipient’s face.

Best For: Children’s letters, themed parties, playful occasions
Skill Level: Advanced

Summary

Origami envelopes offer a creative way to elevate your correspondence, from simple notes to special gifts. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or advanced folder, mastering these 15 classic designs will add a personal and artistic touch to your letters and presents. From geometric shapes to heartwarming animals, these envelopes will make your gift-giving or mailing stand out.