The Fastest Way To Make Wedding Envelopes With Cricut

If you're looking to make wedding envelopes with a Cricut, you're probably interested in creating your wedding invitations. One of the most frequently asked questions in Cricut wedding forums is how do I address envelopes with a Cricut? and many people get frustrated and give up. However, there are plenty of ways to address envelopes with a Cricut, and it can be done quickly and easily.

Cricut recently released a new cutting mat to solve the frustrating process of making cards with a Cricut. The card mat works with both the Cricut Explore and Maker machines and has four panels that allow you to make up to four cards simultaneously. However, it only works with certain-sized cards or envelopes.

There are two major ways to address envelopes with the Cricut: using a ready-made envelope or making your own. Using a ready-made envelope is simpler, but it is more work to line up the envelope. If you're making your own, you can use a free Cricut envelope addressing template.

To address envelopes with the card mat, you will need to design the addresses in Cricut Design Space, adjusting the font style to writing and the operation type to pen or foil. Attach the design and select Make It. Select the card mat and adjust the size of the envelope. Load the envelopes on the card mat, place your pen in Clamp A, and load the Cricut Machine. Press start and, once the Cricut is finished, inspect the writing to make sure all letters were drawn correctly.

To address envelopes without the card mat, you will need to get the location right in the software by drawing a rectangle in the exact dimensions of your envelope. You can then add your addresses and adjust the text. You may need to adjust the spacing of the letters manually. Check that all the text and drawings are marked as Draw lines, then position all the text and drawings in place over the envelope template and attach everything.

Choosing the right pen is also important. Cricut pens are recommended, with the Sakura Gelly Roll pens being a popular choice. Gel pens are great for fine font, but if you want a bolder font, you'll need to use a pen with a thicker point tip.

With a Cricut machine, you can add a personal touch to your envelopes and make your wedding invitations stand out.

Choosing the right pen

• Sakura Gelly Roll pens are a great option, as they come in a variety of colours and are known for their reliability. The white pens are particularly popular for wedding envelopes.
• If you want a bold font that stands out, opt for a pen with a thicker point tip (1.0 mm or larger). Just remember to increase the space between letters to avoid overlap.
• For a finer font, gel pens are a good choice.
• If you want to use a non-Cricut pen, you will need an aftermarket pen adapter. Keep in mind that using an aftermarket tool will void your Cricut machine's warranty.
• Standard 0.4 black pens work well with almost any font and are a good option if you're looking for versatility.
• 1.0 tip pens may require specific fonts and simpler typefaces.
• When using gel pens, move the white star wheels on your Cricut machine to the right to prevent ink smearing.
• If you want to add some sparkle to your envelopes, consider using glitter gel pens or metallic markers.
• The standard Cricut pen has a 0.3 tip size, but it also comes in a 0.4 size, as well as a medium round tip and medium calligraphy tip. Experiment with different tip sizes to see which one suits your font and design best.
• Cricut offers a variety of pen colours, including glitter and metallic options. These specialty pens work best on smoother papers, while the fine-point pens work well on all papers except those with very textured surfaces.
• The Cricut calligraphy pens have a unique angled/chiselled edge, giving your writing a nice hand-lettered touch. Play around with different angles by turning the pens in the pen holder to achieve varied line weights.
• You can create unique combinations by using different pen types together, such as layering different ink colours or pairing different ink types.
• Always test your pens before use to ensure the ink is flowing properly.

Using Cricut's new card mat

To use the card mat, first, select your card designs and add them to your canvas in Cricut Design Space. Make sure all the cards are the same "colour" in the app, as your Cricut will sort projects by colour when determining which cutting mat to place them on.

Next, place your cards on the card mat. Slide the back portion of the card into the pocket of the card mat and remove the protective cover. Smooth the front of your card down onto the sticky cutting mat. This will prevent your card from slipping while the Cricut is cutting or drawing.

Now load your Cricut. If you're doing a cut-only card mat, you'll only need to load your fine point blade. If you've selected cards with a cut and draw design, load your pen into tab A and your fine point blade into tab B. Open your pen and place it in tab A with the arrow facing forward, then press it down until the arrow disappears and you hear a click. Lock the pen in place by closing the tab A mechanism.

Once your Cricut has finished cutting and drawing, remove the card mat from the machine. Use a spatula tool to carefully lift the front flap of each card off the sticky card mat. Be careful and go slowly, especially with more intricate card designs, as you will need to weed the negative space from your card design.

Finally, add your insert cards. Open your card and insert the four corners of your insert card into the four slots on the corners of your card. The insert card will be visible through the cut-outs on the front layer of your card.

And that's it! You've now created your wedding envelopes using Cricut's new card mat.

Preparing your materials

The first step in making wedding envelopes with your Cricut machine is to gather all the required materials. Here is a comprehensive list of the materials you will need:

• Cricut machine: You can use any Cricut machine for this project, such as the Cricut Explore or Maker.
• Cutting mat: It is recommended to use a Light or Standard Grip cutting mat to prevent your envelopes from curling.
• Pen or marker: You can use a variety of pens with your Cricut machine, such as Cricut pens, gel pens, or markers. It is important to choose a pen that fits snugly into the Cricut pen holder.
• Envelopes: You can purchase envelopes from a store or make your own. If you choose to make your own, you will need envelope templates and the appropriate material.
• Computer: You will need a computer to design your envelopes using the Cricut Design Space software. Ensure your computer is connected to your Cricut machine via Bluetooth.
• Bluetooth: Your computer must be connected to your Cricut machine via Bluetooth.
• Brayer tool: This tool is optional but recommended to ensure your envelopes are tightly secured to the cutting mat.

Once you have gathered all the necessary materials, you can start designing your envelopes using the Cricut Design Space software. This software allows you to format your addresses, choose fonts, and adjust sizing to ensure they fit properly on your envelopes.

When selecting a pen for your project, consider the type of font you will be using. Fine Point and Extra Fine Point Pens work well with most fonts, while gel pens and markers may be better suited for specific font types. It is also important to ensure that your pen fits securely into the Cricut pen holder to avoid any issues during the writing process.

Additionally, if you plan to use gel pens, it is recommended to move the white star wheels on your Cricut machine all the way to the right to prevent the ink from smearing.

If you are making your own envelopes, you will need to follow the instructions provided by Cricut for cutting and folding. You can find envelope templates and tutorials online or in the Cricut Design Space software.

Remember to take your time during the preparation stage, as it is crucial for ensuring a smooth and successful envelope-making process.

Formatting the address

The first critical step in the envelope-making process is to get your address in the correct location in the Design Space. Start by drawing a rectangle with the exact dimensions of your envelope. This will be used to locate your addresses. You can make it white so that you can see what your text looks like.

Next, find a writing font you love and add the address of your choice. You will need to add a 'from' and 'to' address. Make sure that your writing font is set to draw lines. Then, delete the rectangle and attach the two addresses together.

Now, you can click 'Make It' to see it on your mat. Note that your design will be moved 1/4 inch in from both edges when drawing. You will need to repeat this for each of your addresses, but once you have your template set, you can just copy and paste a new 'to' address into place and then click 'Make It' each time.

When you have everything in the Cricut Design Space, it is time to add your envelope to your Cricut mat and draw your addresses. Add the envelope to the mat flap side down, with the top of the envelope at the top of the mat. Push the envelope down well.

You can use a standard 0.4 black pen, 1.0 tip pens, or gel pens to address your envelopes. If using gel pens, move the white star wheels all the way to the right to prevent the ink from smearing.

Now, you can load your materials. Place your envelope onto the cutting mat and align the design in Design Space to where you've placed the envelope on the mat. Then, load it into your Cricut. Select light cardstock or copy paper when choosing your material in Cricut Design Space.

Once you've loaded the cutting mat into the Cricut, press 'Start'. The machine will draw the address on your envelope using the pen tool in clamp A.

When the address has been drawn, carefully remove the envelope from the cutting mat by flipping the cutting mat upside down and then carefully bending the edges of the mat back. If you try to remove the envelope by pulling it up off the cutting mat, your envelope will bend.

You can now add any additional embellishments. If desired, place the envelope back on the cutting mat to write other details on the back, like a return address or fun graphic. Repeat the above steps until you have addressed all of your envelopes.

Loading your materials

• Place the envelope on the cutting mat: Ensure your envelope is placed securely on the cutting mat. You can use a brayer tool to smooth out any bumps and ensure a tight adhesion. This step is crucial to achieving precise results.
• Align the design: In the Cricut Design Space software, align the design of your address with the position of your envelope on the cutting mat. Pay close attention to the grid lines to ensure everything is lined up correctly.
• Load the cutting mat into the Cricut machine: Once you have confirmed that your envelope and design are correctly positioned, carefully load the cutting mat into your Cricut machine.
• Select the material type: In the Cricut Design Space, choose the appropriate material setting. For envelopes, selecting "light cardstock" or "copy paper" is recommended.
• Load the Cricut pen: Choose a pen that fits snugly into the Cricut pen holder. Insert the pen until you hear a click. A standard 0.4 black pen is a popular choice, but you can also use gel pens or other pen types.
• Position the envelope on the mat: Refer to the grid lines on your computer screen, and place your envelope on the mat according to the specified grid mark. This step ensures that your Cricut pen writes in the correct location on the envelope.
• Load and start the cutting process: Click the "load" arrow button, followed by the "cut" or "draw" button on your Cricut machine. The machine will then begin writing or drawing on the envelope.

By carefully following these steps, you can ensure that your materials are correctly loaded, and your Cricut machine will produce beautifully written or designed wedding envelopes.

Frequently asked questions