Getting Started With Origami

Origami is the art of folding paper into art forms

What Is Origami?

The word "Origami" comes from two words in Japanese. "ori" means folded and "kami" means paper. It is unsure whether Origami originated in Japan or China.

Origami is a paper sculpture that uses principals of craft and art. There are a number of different styles and techniques. When a object is created to reflect its real-life inspiration with many complex folds, it is termed realistic. Minimal, on the other hand, is when only the essence of the subject is captured using a few folds to keep its simplicity. Sometimes a piece can be constructed from several sheets of paper and joined together to create a final design. This technique is referred to as modular.

Models that are created for real-life applications, such as boxes, cups, or dishes, are termed practical.
Designs that are made by following the pattern of folded edges across the paper are known as tessellations.
Finally, wet folding is a technique invented by Akira Yoshizawa, which uses a water-soluble glue added to the paper. It is then dampened slightly before folding, which allows the paper to be folded into soft curves that harden as they dry, thereby giving the models more durability.

How Can You Use Origami

Gift toppers: Use origami cranes, flowers, or butterflies to decorate gift box
Origami envelopes: Create paper envelopes to hold cards, money, or notes.
Home décor: Display your origami on shelves, walls, or as centerpieces.
Holiday or party decorations: Origami stars, trees, and ornaments for Christmas, weddings, or birthdays.
Mobiles and garlands: String together multiple models to make hanging art.
Bookmarks
Trays and boxes (for organizing small items)
Paper toys (like jumping frogs or flapping birds
Cards and keepsakes (e.g., fold a heart or flower into a greeting card)

Tools To Create Origami

One of the nicest things about origami is that you do not need a whole lot of tools. And the few that you do need, are well within your budget.

Bone Folder-a bone folder is used to get good crisp edges on all of your projects.
Papercut Trimmer all of your paper with good, straight lines every time.
Double sided sticky tape and glue-used to make your products sturdier, especially when making boxes.
Good, Sharp Scissors-one or more pairs of good sharp scissors are a must for this art form.
Ruler-When you need to resize paper, a ruler will make it easier for you. The best ruler to use is a metal ruler with a cork back. The cork will not damage the paper underneath.

Origami Folds

The main folds in origami are known as Mountain and Valley folds. The former is created by folding the top edge down so that the paper adopts a mountain shape. The valley fold involves raising the bottom edge up instead. Another important fold is the pleat which is a valley fold followed by a mountain fold creating a concertina effect.

Tools For Origami Designs

Bone Folder or Crease Tool-Helps make sharp, precise creases. You can also use a ruler edge or even a fingernail.
Scissors-Only used to cut paper to the right size before folding (not for cutting during traditional origami).
Ruler-For measuring and cutting paper accurately.
Tweezers-Useful for handling tiny folds in complex models.
Glue or Tape-Generally not used in traditional origami but can be helpful in modular or practical designs (like envelopes or boxes).
Paper Cutter-Speeds up cutting square sheets if you’re making a lot.

Origami Paper

There are a lot of different papers that can be used for origami. One thing to remember is that most patterns start with a square piece of paper.

Standard origami paper may be colored on one side or both. It can also be colored on one side and white on another.

Washi Paper

Washi paper is one of the finest papers to use for origami models. The three styles are ganpishi, kozogami and mitsumatagami, each of which bears the name of its source plant.Ganpishi,-ganpishi, It is made in Japan.

Duo Paper

Duo paper: paper with two colors that can be used to add color layers. Choose duo paper when you’re folding shapes that benefit stylistically from a certain color scheme (such as red and green for a rose), or if your purpose is to make the design more intricate by incorporating different layers of color.

Foil Paper

Adds luster and shine to your projects

Kami Paper

So, kami paper is one of the standards go to origami papers. It is colorful and thin, so that makes it easy to work with. It is considered one of the most often used origami papers. Kami is thin and easy to fold. It is usually printed only on one side, with a solid color or pattern. These patterns can be as simple as a gradation from red to blue, or as complex as a multi-colored

Chiyogami Paper

Chiyogami (also known as Yuzen paper) is a traditional Japanese decorative washi paper renowned for its vibrant, intricately patterned designs. Its name derives from "chiyo" (meaning "a thousand generations") and "gami/kami" (meaning "paper"), symbolizing enduring beauty

Tant Paper

Tant paper is an origami paper that has a crepe paper like feel. It has the same color on both sides of the paper. It is thicker than most standard sheets. “Tant” actually means a lot!

The surface is gentle but rough to the touch.

The thickness of tant paper is 78 GSM. Although depending on the manufacturer it can be anywhere from 70GSM to 81GSM.

Size of the sheets vary. They can be 7.5 cm by 7.5cm and then all the way up to 110cm by 80cm with a few sizes in between.

Depending on the package of paper that you purchase, the color palette may be large. However, you might get only one sheet of each of the colors in a 100 pack.

For what is called a multi pack modular, in a 48-sheet set, you might get a smaller number of colors, but you will get a larger variety of different shades in the colors offered. The color of this paper does not fade.

In some designs of origami, you may require a color change. Tant paper responds well to coloring.

You can color tant paper with pastels. Apply the pastels with a cotton ball evenly. Then apply a fixative over the coloring side.
You can also use a water-based ink applied with a brush. Once the ink has dried, make sure to flatten the paper between a couple of books.

It should also be noted that this paper is not acid free.

Basic Origami Folds

Valley Fold: Fold the paper toward you (like a V).
Mountain Fold: Fold the paper away from you (like a peak).
Squash Fold: Flatten a point by opening it and pressing down.
Reverse Fold: Fold a flap inside-out (used in cranes and animals).
Blintz Fold: Fold all four corners to the center.

Here are some tools and resources that will help you handle your origami paper.

Fold with clean hands.
Make sure the square is really square.
Be precise. Accuracy is vital because errors multiply quickly.
Slow down and give yourself enough time to finish a model (it always takes longer than you think).
Always fold the paper away from you rather than towards you.
Folding an edge to an edge is easier than folding to a crease.
The first time you try a new design, use a larger sheet than usual.
To do a mountain fold, turn the paper over and do a valley.
If you get really stuck following a diagram, refold with a new sheet.
Use a ruler and an old biro (with no ink) to score creases where you need greater accuracy when folding.
A staple gun makes a handy alternative to glue (this isn’t cheating!).
If you create a new model of your own, make a rough diagram of it, however crude or abbreviated, otherwise you’ll forget!
Always look ahead to the next drawing to see where you’re going.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with a model.
Save your mistakes, because they may lead to new, creative ideas

Thanks for stopping by. We always love hearing from you. Is origami a papercraft that you would like to try? What are your thoughts, ideas or comments on this topic? Thank you for being part of our community.

Till next time, Happy Crafting!

Linda

Paper Craft Workshop

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