Origami guides
Everything around the fold: choosing and preparing paper, reading diagrams, where to start, folding with children, gift and party ideas, and where origami comes from.
Seasonal · Halloween
Halloween origami
Ghosts, bats, pumpkins, skulls and witch hats — easy spooky folds with animated steps and printable PDFs.
Seasonal · Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving origami
Napkin folds, place-card boxes, nut cups and gratitude notes — easy table folds with animated steps and printable PDFs.
5 min read
Origami for beginners: where to start
New to origami? Start here: what you need, how to read diagrams, crease tips and ten easy-to-harder models in a sensible order, each with an animated diagram.
Read the guide →6 min read
How to make square paper from A4 or letter paper
Turn A4, US Letter (8.5 x 11) or any rectangle into a perfect origami square by folding and cutting, or print ready-made squares. Size table and a no-scissors method.
Read the guide →5 min read
Origami paper: types, sizes and which to use
Kami, washi, foil, tant or printer paper? Learn the common origami paper types and sizes (7.5, 15, 25 cm), what each is good for and which to buy first.
Read the guide →5 min read
Origami symbols: a complete guide to diagram marks
Every common origami diagram symbol explained: valley and mountain lines, fold, unfold, push, turn over, rotate and repeat arrows, X-ray lines and equal marks.
Read the guide →5 min read
Origami for kids: easy models by age
Easy origami for kids, sorted by age from preschool to preteen, with classroom tips, safety notes and animated step-by-step diagrams for each model.
Read the guide →5 min read
Easy origami gifts you can fold today
Easy origami gift ideas from a single sheet: hearts, lucky star jars, masu boxes, cranes, flowers and more, plus tips on paper, packaging and combining models.
Read the guide →5 min read
Origami crafts for parties and holidays
Seasonal origami ideas for every celebration: hearts for Valentine’s Day, cranes for weddings, stars and boxes for Christmas, plus party activities and favors.
Read the guide →6 min read
A short history of origami
A factual history of origami: Japanese ceremonial folding, European traditions, senbazuru, Akira Yoshizawa, the Yoshizawa–Randlett system and modern design.
Read the guide →
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Glossary
Origami folds & bases
Valley and mountain folds, squash and petal folds, the classic bases and more, each explained with models to practice on.
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All animated diagrams
Every model animates fold by fold and prints as a free PDF.