How to Make Origami Paper

Co-authored by Robert Homayoon

Last Updated: January 23, 2024 References

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Origami is the art of paper folding. Most origami artists use special lightweight paper that comes in small squares. However, sometimes this paper can be difficult to find. If you don't have specialty paper on hand but still want to practice your folding, there are a number of ways you can repurpose more common types of paper. Making your own paper also has the advantage of being completely customizable. You can decorate it however you want!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Convert A4 Paper Into Origami Paper

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Copy paper is extremely common, cheap, and easy to obtain. If you're fine with using paper that isn't blank, you can often get large amounts of used paper for free. The only thing keeping printer paper from being "origami paper" is the fact that it is rectangular, not square. You will need to trim some away for proper origami paper.
Properly folding the printer paper will allow you to cut it into a perfect square without using a ruler. Take the top right corner and fold it down until it touches the left edge of your paper. The entire top edge of your paper should now be even with the left side.^{[1]
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Research source} Make a crisp crease along the fold. Your paper should now look like a sailboat with a folded right triangle "sail" sitting on top of a single-layer rectangle.

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Take the point in the top left corner and fold it down so it is equal with both the left side and the base of the triangle. Your paper should now look similar to a house. The top will now be a right triangle with a centered point and the bottom section a rectangle.^{[2]
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Take the rectangle at the bottom and fold it behind the triangle. Make a sharp crease along the edge. Now you can unfold the triangle.^{[3]
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This will remove the excess paper. Unfold the paper completely. Use a pair of scissors to cut off the bottom rectangular flap. Use the crease to guide you, and try to cut as straight of a line as possible.
Now you should have a square piece of paper that you can use for your origami practice. You may want to use a hard, flat object to smooth the paper so that it's easier to work with when you are folding your origami. Try putting it inside a thick textbook for a day or two.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Making Decorative Origami Paper

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A lot of origami paper has beautiful repeating designs on one or both sides. Some paper even have different designs on each side. To make this kind of paper at home, find a pattern on the web that you like and print it out. Patterns specifically for origami paper usually have a guide so you will not need to use the folding method to make a square.^{[4]
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If you don't want designs but would like some color in your origami creations, buy some colored printer paper. This can give you variety without having to waste printer ink. Inexpensive printer paper comes in numerous bright colors.
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Use wrapping paper, scrapbook paper, or tissue paper. Another way to reuse or recycle paper is to use gift wrap, scrapbook paper, or tissue paper. Wrapping paper and scrapbook paper are usually white on one side with a design on the other, much like most specialty origami paper.
- Gift wrap comes in a wide variety of designs that can make beautiful origami. Be aware that it folds well, but can tear easily. Use a ruler, a pencil, and a pair of scissors to cut it into squares.
- Scrapbook paper is usually thicker and sturdier. You can buy scrapbook paper in large or small squares, so you may not need to cut it at all.^{[5]
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- Tissue paper comes in many colors and designs. However, it is also very thin. You will need to take extra care when folding it. Additionally, some kinds of tissue paper won't hold a crease and are not usable for origami. Crepe paper, the tissue paper often used in packages and decorations, holds a crease well and is suitable for origami. Tissue paper also has the advantage of often being sold as squares.^{[6]
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Take squares of printer paper and draw your own designs on it. You can use acrylic paint, watercolor paint, markers, or anything you have to color it to make your own unique designs.^{[7]
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Research source} If you're using acrylic paint, be careful not to paint it on too thick. Thick paint can crumble, and the bumpiness will make folding difficult. You can also dye your paper using tea, either as a "paint" or by using tea bags to create abstract art.^{[8]
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Expert Q&A

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Can I use heavy paper for origami folding?

Robert Homayoon
Origami Expert
Robert Homayoon is an Origami Expert known for his engaging YouTube videos and accessible instructions. He has been teaching origami on YouTube since 2009. His channel has a following of over 676,000 subscribers, and his videos have garnered over 211 million views. Robert uses his channel to highlight his passion for teaching people origami, crafts, and how to solve puzzles. He graduated from SUNY Albany in 2007 and earned his D.M.D degree from Temple University Dental School in 2013.

Robert Homayoon

Origami Expert

Expert Answer

A heavier paper typically implies greater thickness, often measured in grams per square meter (GSM). Depending on the specific model of origami and the desired outcome, using thicker or sticker paper can present challenges in folding. For instance, when teaching how to make an origami boomerang, I recommend a certain GSM, approximately 100, and include this advice in my instructions. In general, it holds true that heavier paper can be more difficult to fold, particularly if the model involves numerous folds layered on top of each other, making the paper denser and harder to manipulate.

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Can I use colored construction paper to make origami paper?

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You could, but the paper is slightly thicker and may cause problems with folding precisely.

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Would I be able to use watercolor paint for this?

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Yes, you could.

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Some skilled artists use business cards to make origami.^{[9]
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Research source} While free business cards are easy to find, this material is challenging to work with due to its thickness and small size.

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Origami has been shown to have a positive effect on stress, to improve some psychological disorders, and to help with recovery in people who have had hand injury or surgery.^{[10]
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If you have access to a paper trimmer, you can make hundreds of sheets of origami paper from printer paper in just a few minutes. Simply use the ruler on the cutting board and align a stack of paper with the long edge at the 8.5 inch (21.6 cm) mark. Then simply trim off the excess to create a square.

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