Origami is the art of paper folding. Most origami artists use special lightweight paper in the shape of small rectangles. However, sometimes this paper is difficult to find. If you don't have special paper, but want to practice folding origami, there are several ways to transform the more common paper. Making your own origami paper also has the advantage of being adjustable in size. Plus, you can decorate it however you like!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Turning A4 Paper Into Origami Paper
Step 1. Collect HVS paper or A4 size plain printer paper
HVS paper is very common, inexpensive, and easy to find. If you don't mind using used paper, you can often get lots of used paper for free. The only problem that keeps printer paper from turning into origami paper is that it is rectangular instead of rectangular. You'll need to cut some of the paper to make it fit into origami paper.
Step 2. Make the first fold
Properly folded printer paper will produce perfect rectangular cuts without the need for a ruler. Take the top right corner and fold it down until it touches the left edge of the paper. The entire top edge of the paper should now be flush with the left side. Press along the crease so that the mark is clearly visible. The paper should now look like a boat with a right triangle sail folded on top of a single layered rectangle.
Step 3. Make a second fold
Take the dot in the top left corner and fold it down so that it aligns with the left side and the base of the triangle. The paper will now resemble a house. The top will now be an equilateral triangle with the midpoint, while the bottom will form a rectangle.
Step 4. Fold the bottom rectangle
Take the rectangle at the bottom and fold it behind the triangle. Make firm folds along the edges. Now, you can open the triangle.
Step 5. Cut the bottom rectangle with scissors
This step aims to remove the remaining paper. Open the whole paper. Use scissors to cut out the bottom rectangle. Use the crease line to guide and cut in as straight a line as possible.
Step 6. Open the paper completely
You will now have a square of paper that you can use to practice origami. You can use a flat hard object to flatten the paper to make it easier to work with when folding origami. Put it in a thick book for a day or two.
Method 2 of 2: Making Decorative Origami Paper
Step 1. Print the design
Many origami papers have beautiful repeating designs on one or both sides. Some papers even have a different design on each side. To make paper like this at home, look online for a pattern you like and want to print. Special origami paper patterns usually have guides so you don't have to use the folding method to make a rectangle.
Step 2. Consider colored paper
If you don't want a particular design pattern, but prefer colorful origami creations, just buy color printer paper. This paper will provide a variety of colors without the need to use up printer ink. Cheap printer paper is available in many bright colors.
Step 3. Use wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, or tissue paper
Another way to reuse or recycle paper is to use wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, or tissue paper. Tissue paper and scrapbook paper are usually white on one side and with a design on the other, like most origami specialty papers.
- Gift wrapping paper has a variety of designs that can make origami beautiful. Remember, this paper folds well, but it can also tear easily. Use a ruler, pencil and scissors to cut it into rectangles.
- Scrapbook paper is usually thicker and stronger. You can buy them in large or small rectangles, so you probably don't need to cut them at all.
- Tissue paper is available in a variety of colors and designs. However, this paper is also very thin. You have to be very careful when folding it. Also, some tissue paper doesn't fold well and can't be used for origami. Crepe paper-a type of tissue paper often used in gifts and decorations-folds well and is perfect for origami. Tissue paper also has advantages because its shape is usually rectangular.
Step 4. Design your own origami paper
Take a rectangular printer paper and draw a homemade design on it. You can use acrylic paints or watercolors to create unique designs on paper. If you're using acrylic paint, don't apply too much. Paint that is too thick can crumble and the lumps will make folding difficult. You can also color the paper with tea, either as a dye or with tea bags to create abstract art.
Tips
- Origami has been shown to have a positive effect on stress, improve some psychological disorders, and aid recovery in people who have had hand injuries or surgery.
- Some skilled artists use business cards to make origami. While free business cards are easy to find, this material is difficult to work with due to its thickness and small size.
- If you have a paper cutter, you can make hundreds of origami paper from printer paper in just a few minutes. Just use the ruler on the cutting board and align the stack of paper with the long side at the 20 cm mark. Then cut off the excess paper to make it into a rectangle.
- Do not rush!
- Don't press too hard on the paper, especially in the early folds. That way, if you need to repeat it, you won't see too many crease marks on the paper.
