Pop-up tutorial #2: Asymmetric box fold

The asymmetric box fold creates a “shelf” or a few “shelves”, that are non-symmetric in height and depth. This technique is the base of many elaborated and impressive cards, all you need is to practice a few basic principles. Follow the next steps for an easy- yet potentially impressive- pop-up card.

1. Select the paper that you intend to use on the inside of the card and, using a pencil, lightly mark it’s center fold. I used a scrap of printer paper for this demonstration, but a card stock or heavy-weight paper will provide you with a sturdier mechanism.

2. Draw one or more rectangles of any size, located anywhere on the card. There is a rule you must follow: The depth of the rectangle is the same as the distance of the rectangle’s base from the center fold (in the photo below you can see I’ve marked it: x = x, y= y). If you don’t follow this rule, the rectangles will be distorted, the angles at the corners will not be 90 degrees.

3. For each rectangle, cut along those sides which are perpendicular to the fold (marked with a red solid line). Score the lines that are parallel to the center fold, DO NOT cut along them (marked with a yellow/blue dash line). Fold gently along the center fold, wherever there are no rectangles. Push the boxes gently inwards, noticing the “mountain” folds and the “valley” folds. Pinch the corners of each box to set the fold into its new direction.

4. Carefully close the card, making sure to flatten the creases you initially scored.

5. And there you have it! Note that the box is asymmetric- the height and depth are not the same. Therefor, the same fold can look and be used differently when positioned in various directions. You can use the boxes as a base for glued-on decorative images, or even use them as the main popping element of the card.

On the next post I’ll be showing you how to make a far more complicated asymmetric-box card, easy to do and very impressive 😉

ShirA