How to Make Paper Cutouts
If you're looking to make beautiful, handmade greeting cards, try your hand at creating your own paper cutouts. You can cut out intricate designs, such as flowers and branches, and attach them to cards for a 3D look. To start, you'll need a cutout template and a few inexpensive supplies. The paper cutting is quite meticulous, so the craft requires a steady hand and concentration.
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Things You'll Need
- Internet access
- Cardstock
- Cutting mat
- Crafting knife
- Scissors
- Transfer paper
- Pen or graphite pencil
- Tape
Instructions
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1
Download and print a cutout template you want to use (see Resources).
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2
Place a piece of cardstock you want to use for the cutout on a flat surface.
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3
Place a piece of transfer paper on top of the cardstock.
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4
Place the template on top of the transfer paper to prepare to trace the image. You can use tape to secure the template page to the transfer paper to ensure it won't move while you're tracing.
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5
Draw an outlines over all the lines of the templates using a dark pen or graphite pencil. You want to make sure the writing utensil is dark enough to show up through the paper.
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6
Remove the transfer paper to reveal the traced image on the cardstock.
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7
Place the cardstock onto a cutting mat.
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Begin cutting the shape with your crafting or X-Acto knife, using it for curves and small areas. Press down with the knife on the paper along the edges of the cutout. Bring the knife towards you as you cut, holding down the paper with one hand. You can use the scissors for large areas and outer edges.
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Remove the cutout from the excess paper, being careful not to tear it.
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Tips & Warnings
Once you're done with the paper cutout, you can glue it to another surface, such as a blank greeting card. Apply white craft glue to the cutout with a fine brush before attaching it to the card. Press down gently
References
Resources
- Photo Credit child`s hand do paper chain image by AGphotographer from Fotolia.com
