Learn how to make pop up cards for any occasion with this simple pop up card template. Use the included illustrations or make your own to make your 3D card totally personalized and perfect for giving!
What do you need to make a 3D pop up card….
All you need for these 3D pop up cards is paper and something to add color with! That makes these 3D cards an inexpensive and easy project for kids of any age!
You can use any kind of paper- copy weight paper, printed or colored scrapbook paper, etc. We used cardstock in white and colors. Cardstock folds crisply and is heavy enough to hold the “pop ups” nicely! You’ll also need to gather up a pair of scissors, glue stick, and something to color with. Crayons, markers, or colored pencils will all work well! That’s it- easy!
Constructing a 3D pop up card…
The basic idea here is that you will create two cards, one slightly smaller than the other. In the illustration above shows a standard 8.5 x 11 piece of colored cardstock cut in half. The white paper inside is slightly smaller than the outer layer and contains the actual “pop up” or three dimensional elements of the card!
Fold the white card stock in half. Starting on the fold cut three sets of cuts that extend about two inches into the body of the card. Do not cut these tabs off. These are the portion of card that will bed away from the card and “POP!”
The dimensions for these tabs is completely optional. You can have has many tabs as you want and change up their size every time!
A free printable pop up card template….
While you can make a pop up card any shape or any size I’ve provided you with a super easy pop up card template here. I like the idea of starting with this printable template to give your kiddos an easy way of understanding how to make a pop up card. Once they have the basic idea they can get a little creative about creating different dimensions and shapes.
The template you see below is the perfect dimension for using with a half piece of 8.5 x 11 piece of cardstock for the outer card. That will allow that nice colored edge all around the card.
Get the pop up card template here….
Do you want a copy of this pop up card template for your kids to personalize? These cuties are completely free for my Kitchen Table Classroom subscribers.
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Assembling your printable pop-up card…
Once you’ve popped the tabs out use a glue stick to apply glue everywhere BUT the tabs. Glue the inner piece of the pop up card to the colorful outside portion, allowing the tabs to pop out and fold when the card is folded. Now the technical portion of your card is done and it’s time to add some personality.
You can literally add anything to these tabs to make your card perfect for any occasion. The only thing you’ll want to keep in mind as you create illustrations for to add to the pop up tabs is that they should be small enough, that when the card is closed, they do not extend past the edge of the card.
Watch me do assemble my pop up card template…
The few cuts and folds that are involved in making your own pop up card are really pretty simple. If you’re a visual learner watch the video below and I’ll walk you through everything you need to know to make your own pop up card. The video is only a couple of minutes long and I think it will answer any questions you have about using my pop up card template! You’ll be ready to use my template or build your own pop up card of any size or shape!
Free printable illustrations to personalize your pop up cards…
I’ve included the illustrations below as part of the pop up card template pack in my Free Resource Library. When you download the template these illustrations will also be part of that file. Color and cut any three of these illustrations out for an easy way to personalize your pop up card.
Don’t see just what you’re looking for? Make your own small drawings or letters using the provided illustrations as a guide for size!
Attaching the details….
Once your illustrations are colored and cut out it’s time to attach them to the tabs on your pop up cards. You’ll want to attach them using a dot of glue or a glue stick. Keep in mind that not the entire illustration will make contact with the pop up tab. Lots of the illustration will hang off the edges of the tab. If glue extends beyond that area just leave your card open until the glue dries so you don’t end up with the whole thing glued shut!
Adding more details….
Use a fine tip black marker to add any handwriting or a signature to your handmade pop up card.
Of course, the exterior of the card can be added to as well. Add an additional layer of white paper to give a clean surface to decorate on the front of the card or draw right on the colored surface!
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