Learning Origami from Scratch: Part 2 - Choose the Right Origami Paper and Tools
- Micky Sophie
- Mar 23, 2023
- 4 min read
When choosing the right origami paper for various projects, we may want to consider the following aspects:
Types and Colors of Paper
Origami projects can use different kinds of paper, such as Standard Origami Paper or “Kami”, Tant Paper, Washi, Duo Paper, and Foil Paper. Each one has its own features and some models might work better with certain papers.
One of the most common and well-known origami papers is Kami, which is ideal for simple models and beginners. It has a white side and a colored or patterned side. You can find Kami in three sizes and about 60 colors: 15cm (6 inch), 24cm (9.5 inch), and 35cm (14 inch) squares. Kami is also fairly cheap compared to other origami papers. The typical paper and size that people use is kami 6-inch square, but you may want to try some medium size (9.5 inches) for more challenging projects.
Shape of Paper
You can use many kinds of paper for origami, but you should know that most traditional patterns start with square paper; only a few models use other shapes. We can try different shapes like circles or triangles instead of squares later on.
Paper thickness
The type of models you can fold depends a lot on how thick your origami paper is, but there are pros and cons. Very thin paper can handle many layers without getting bulky but it can also tear easily if you fold it over and over in the same spot. On the other hand, very thick paper will be very tough to fold more than once but it will be very sturdy. So, we can choose the right thickness of paper by checking the instruction to see how many folds it will have before we start folding.
For simple models, you can use Kami, which has a thickness of about 0.06mm. For complex models, you may need thicker paper or specialty paper that can hold creases well and resist tearing. Some examples are washi paper, foil paper, tissue foil paper, elephant hide paper, etc. The thickness of these papers can vary from 0.06 mm to 0.3 mm.
Size of the Design
Think about the size of the model you want to fold. Bigger paper might be better for intricate pieces while smaller paper can make beautiful, fine shapes.
Texture
Consider papers that have textures that make them different from ordinary ones. Textured papers like Washi or Momigami can give your final project a unique look.
I prefer kraft paper (also brown paper, 0.065mm in thickness, 21 cm square (or 8.27 inch square)) which is thick, and strong and I like its naturalness!
Tools
You don’t really need tools for most origami, but they can help you fold easier and make the final model better and more accurate. Some of the most usual tools for origami are a paper trimmer, ruler, scissors, double-sided tape or gluey tape roller, and a bone paper folder for folding and scoring tools. I use my hard nails and sometimes a metal ruler instead of a bone paper folder, and I use a pen (with no ink) instead of a scoring tool: tilt the pen slightly to the paper and move it along the ruler to make a crease; this is very helpful when you need exact creases.
As a beginner, it can be helpful to draw lines on paper to indicate where to make valley or mountain folds. This can prevent confusion when there are already many creases on the paper.
Origami Tutorial Books
To get ready for our next step, we should pick origami tutorial books that teach basic skills and are attractive to us at the same time. I will show some choices here, all of them are made by origami experts.
Stunned by the beautifully designed cover, I already have Origami Design Secrets: Mathematical Methods for an Ancient Art, Second Edition by Robert J. Lang, and Origami Masters: Bugs: How the Bug Wars Changed the Art of Origami by Marc Kirschenbaum.
Don’t let the words “master” and “mathematical” scare you off. We will begin with Robert Lang’s book first, to learn the basic logic of origami, and then try some projects in the book. Practicing is the biggest part. Remember, picking books with projects that interest you can keep you inspired.
eTextbook and paperback are also available at:
Way to go! We have got all the preparation done for our new learning adventure. You are ready to rock!
Stay tuned to this channel and don’t miss out on our upcoming posts! We will soon learn about the basic techniques: valleys, mountains, creases, etc.
All product suggestions are independently selected and individually reviewed. We try our best to update information, but all prices and availability are subject to change. Everything You Need To Know is a member of the Amazon affiliates program and if you buy something through our links, Everything You Need To Know may earn an affiliate commission at no additional cost to you.
Comentários