Pop-up or mechanical greetings cards are very popular. On the following sheets are a selection of techniques that will help you produce simple, working examples.

V-FOLD MECHANISMS

V-folding mechanisms are very popular and they are simple to make. Construct the pop-up section by adding tabs to a rectangular piece of card. The tabs are glued to the backing card remembering that the angle must be selected carefully. Draw the angle of bend on the card first before gluing the pop- up piece to it.

HOW AN INTERNAL STAND MECHANISM CAN BE USED

Interesting pop-up designs can be produced by making two cuts to a backing card and bending the card inwards so that it forms a small stand (inside the card). Drawings / images can be placed on the stand so that when the card is opened the image ‘pops’ up.

A slightly more difficult pop-up card can be produced by making the stand separately. This can be seen below. Remember to include tabs as these will be the surfaces that are used to glue the stand to the card.
The diagram with the tiger image shows a pop-up card that has a small double stand. When the card is opened, the image ‘pops’ up.

QUESTION: Design two small card mechanisms based on the ones seen above. Add images to complete them and make rough models to test if they work.

CLICK HERE FOR POP-UP MECHANISMS (2)

CLICK HERE FOR GRAPHICS INDEX