How to Make a Pop Up Card
Yield: 1
Equipment
- 2 Pieces of Paper. You can use a piece of card stock or construction paper in the colors of your choice. I'm using blue and white for this card.
- ruler
- Scissors and Edging Scissors. Optional but creates a fun edge.
- Glue. You can use a glue stick if you prefer.
- Sharpies or Markers. This is for decorations.
- Stickers or Washi Tape. This is for decorations. I like to use glitter stickers for embellishments
Instructions
- Step 1. First, cut the 2 pieces of paper to make the card.
- Step 2. I like to cut the outside paper (blue) to 8.5 x 6 and the inside paper (white) to 8 x 5.5. This will allow the card to fit into a 6X4 envelope for mailing it.
- Step 3. Then take the inside color and fold the single sheet of paper in half lengthwise. On the middle crease just created, draw 4 lines measuring 4 cm, 3 cm, 2 cm and 1 cm. I made each of these lines approximately 2 cm apart and they are 3 cm from the top and the bottom of the second piece of paper.
- Step 4. Then gently cut on the lines on the folded side of the paper until you have parallel cuts. Try to cut in straight lines.
- Step 5. Fold lines on both sides to create the creases.
- Step 6. Then open up the middle insert and push these rectangles forward and fold them down gently to create the birthday cake on the side of the card. Each single slit will pop out from the extra cuts.
- Step 7. Decorate the birthday cake with the markers and the stickers. You can draw balloons with crayons for a birthday. This is a great time to write a happy birthday message as well.
- Step 8. Next, fold the outside color paper in half lengthwise. Finally glue the middle insert onto the outside color (blue sides) with the glue. The end result will brighten someone's day.
Notes
Pro Tips Sizing.
I like to cut the outside color of paper to 8.5 x 6 and the inside color to 8 x 5.5. This will allow the card to fit into a 6X4 envelope for mailing it! If you plan to mail these cards or just want them to easily to fit inside a standard card envelope, I suggest doing the same.
Smaller inner paper. I like to make the inside color slightly smaller so it will create a banner around the inside of the card.
Edging Scissors. I used paper edging scissors to give the inside color a fun design but you can use regular scissors as well if you like. Feel free to use your creativity for so much fun.
Cutting Mat. If you prefer to do other designs and variations, a cutting mat is helpful for basic shapes. This will allow you to use a scalpel knife to make other simple shapes.
I like to make a pop-up heart card for valentine's day and this is easier using a knife because you can cut at an angle. Shapes. There is an astonishing variety of shapes you can try to make more cards. From a silhouette to a dove or even the statue of liberty with Brooklyn bridge and a school bus. You can even just do your own shape such as a symmetrical triangle or rectangle shape. Beginners might want to try simple triangles for a new design and to practice extra cut-outs and horizontal planes. Paper. The actual pop up is easier with sturdy paper.
I like to always have extra paper on hand in case I make a mistake making my favorite cards. Rough Draft. You may want to sketch a very rough sketch on another piece of paper if you are doing a more complex pop-up with a series of steps.
Decorate last. I don't recommend starting out with graphics and decorations. Wait to add those until you have finished the pop up potion.