Paper crafts refer to a variety of crafts in which paper or card stock is the primary artistic medium for creating two- or three-dimensional objects.
Paper and card stock can be used to craft objects using a wide range of techniques, including folding, curving, bending, cutting, gluing, molding, stitching, or layering. Making paper by hand can also be considered a paper craft.
Paper crafts transform sheets of paper or card stock into two-and three-dimensional artworks. Whether crafted for decoration, storytelling, or practical use, paper art carries a unique combination of fragility and durability.
The pliability of paper invites crafters to experiment.
Folding transforms flat sheets into intricate forms simply by creasing. Precision and pattern play crucial roles, as seen in classic origami or box construction.
Gently curving or bending strips or panels adds volume and sculptural interest. This technique is common in paper sculpture and architectural models.
Blades and scissors can be used to slice paper into lace-like silhouettes or bold geometric motifs. Papercutting demands careful planning and steady hands.
Adhesives can be used to connect separate pieces, allowing for complex collages or multi-layered reliefs. Layering can be used to add contrasting textures and to create depth.
Wetting and shaping paper pulp or soaked card stock allows them to be molded into three-dimensional forms, like masks or paper-mâché sculptures, to harden into durable objects.
Piercing paper and stitching it together adds decorative seams or structural joins. Bookbinding, journal covers, and textile-inspired artworks often rely on stitching.
Several styles and traditions can be attached to the broad category of paper crafts. Using folding, origami is the Japanese art of folding a single sheet of paper into animals or other shapes. Kirigami combines folding and cutting to create pop-up cards and ornaments. Quilling involves curving and gluing narrow strips of paper into coils to form decorative motifs. Carving detailed patterns or scenes from a flat sheet of paper is a defining characteristic of papercutting. Handmade greeting cards with layered elements utilize gluing and layering techniques to create a unique and intricate design. Paper-mâché uses molding techniques to build sculptures from paper pulp and adhesive. Scrapbooking is used to preserve memories through embellished photo albums, utilizing techniques such as cutting, layering, and others. Bookbinding is used to create journals and books with spines that are either stitched or glued. Decoupage is the art of decorating an object by gluing colored paper cutouts onto it in combination with paint effects, gold leaf, and other decorative elements.
The word "paper" is derived from papyrus, the name of the ancient material made from beaten reeds in Egypt as far back as the third millennium BC.
While paper is readily available in several forms today, manufactured in bulk using industrial machinery, the art of making paper by hand survives as a specialized craft and a medium for artistic expression. This might be considered the ultimate paper craft.
Online resources related to paper crafts are the focus of this category.
Categories
DecoupageOrigami | Quilling |
Recommended Resources
This is a blog by Ann Martin, who curates and tests each project, showcasing a wide range of paper arts and crafts, including quilling, origami, paper cutting, and paper sculpture. It features project tutorials, artist interviews, and inspiration to help both beginners and experienced crafters explore the versatility of paper as a medium. Its content includes paper craft kits, folded paper decor projects, free quilling projects, and modern jewelry designs and tips.
https://www.allthingspaper.net/
Crayola is a traditional manufacturer of crayons, colored pencils, chalks, and markers. Its site includes thousands of free coloring pages for children, craft ideas, creative quotes, games, and other fun facts. Resources are offered for educators and parents, designed to bring creativity inside the classroom or at home. Descriptions, techniques, photographs, and videos are included, and products may be purchased from the site, individually or by collections. An affiliate program is available.
https://www.crayola.com/
The family-operated website is focused on activities and crafts for children, intended to help children learn about the Bible, various shapes, books, the alphabet, animals, countries and cultures, holidays, and other topics. Also included are printable awards, chore charts, greeting cards, memory cards, money cards, gift tags, doorknob hangars, and writing paper. Special topics are included for upcoming holidays and regularly scheduled events and a blog is included.
https://www.dltk-kids.com/
International Association of Hand Papermakers, The
Founded in 1986 in Düren, Germany, when paper as an art medium was far less well-known than it is today, the organization's central focus is to promote paper and handmade paper as a contemporary artistic medium. Its main objective is to facilitate an international exchange of artistic ideas and share information about hand papermaking and paper art. The IAPMA also offers opportunities for members to collaborate on projects and exhibitions. Member data and schedules are featured.
https://www.iapma.info/
This is a free, community-driven repository of papercraft templates covering a wide range of themes, from anime and Gundam to architecture and military models. It caters to all skill levels, offering designs labeled easy, medium, and hard, intended to help crafters through printable PDFs. The website has been online for at least 14 years. Models include anime, buildings, cosplay, diorama, gadgets, game, origami, military, paper toys, movies, and vehicles. A blog is included.
https://mypapercraft.net/
Original Paper Doll Artists Guild, The
Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Kingfield, Maine, OPDAG is an organization of individuals who exchange ideas to promote the art and hobby of paper dolls worldwide. In 2021, OPDAG merged with Paperdoll Review, each issue of which features a theme, and subscribers are invited to create paper dolls that suit each theme. Amateur and professional art is displayed at no cost to its members. The website features a history of paper dolls, reviews of paper dolls, and an overview of the magazine.
https://www.opdag.com/
Offering paper crafting ideas and tutorials, this blog provides step-by-step guides for creating cards, decorations, stickers, and other projects and crafts. The site includes regular posts on various paper craft projects, from card folds to sticker design, along with curated ideas covering multiple holidays or occasions, which categorize projects for key celebrations like birthdays, Christmas, Easter, Mother's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, and Valentine's Day.
https://thepapercutplace.com/
A paper toy is a small 3D model that can be constructed by cutting and folding paper, and then securing the edges together with tape or glue. Several templates are featured on the website, and site visitors can simply choose a template, print it out, and give it a try. Most of its templates are available in a PDF printable format and can be downloaded. Others include image formats, such as JPG or PNG. Any type of paper can be used as long as it can be printed on.
https://www.papertoys.com/
PaperCrafter is a monthly publication dedicated to paper crafting and card making. It features step-by-step tutorials, designer tips, free downloadable papers, and projects for makers of all skill levels. Each issue features more than a hundred pages of papercrafting projects and tips from leading UK designers, easy masterclasses covering various paper crafts, downloadable designer papers, in-depth gadget guides, and exclusive giveaways and monthly prizes. A blog is included.
https://www.papercraftermagazine.co.uk/
Pulp & Paper Resources & Information Site
Also known as Paper on Web, this is a comprehensive online resource tailored for professionals in the pulp and paper industry. Its key features include a directory of pulp and paper manufacturers, mills, and service providers, equipment and technology overviews, an industry news archive, market trend updates, a glossary of acronyms, abbreviations, and technical terms used in papermaking, as well as educational articles on production processes. Advertising opportunities are available.
https://www.paperonweb.com/
Formed in 2003, Splitcoaststampers is a web-based community for paper crafters, particularly rubber stamping, card-making, and scrapbooking. The site features tutorials, challenges, galleries, and an active discussion forum. The website publishes weekly tutorials and news stories hosted by experienced crafters, and its galleries include company galleries, member galleries, and in-depth galleries from "Stampin' Up, a rubber stamps, inks, and paper-crafting supply company.
https://www.splitcoaststampers.com/
