Paper - Preferred folding material

unknownfolder · Post by **unknownfolder** » June 22nd, 2009, 2:14 pm

Almost all of my models are plain white, made from copy or Kraft paper (I know boring). The Kraft paper has worked very well for me so far.

Just yesterday I had a revelation. Glue a piece of tissue paper to one side of my Kraft paper to escape the boring white color. I must say it worked much better than I would have ever guessed it would. The only problem I had was the glue I used. I used a child glue stick (It's all I had laying around), and that seemed to not stick well in some places.

My question is: when you do glue paper together what type of glue do you use?

Jonnycakes · Post by **Jonnycakes** » June 22nd, 2009, 8:41 pm

MC (methylcellulose) is a sizing agent for paper that also works well to bind multiple sheets of paper together-it is the standard way for origamists to do this. Spray adhesive is another good choice. It is the most commonly used glue for tissue foil and should work well just combining 2 pieces of paper, too.

Cephalopod · Post by **Cephalopod** » June 28th, 2009, 10:05 am

PVA glue works quite well also. I used a mixture of water and PVA glue to backcoat tissue paper onto some of the paper I normally use for my pig and robin. It also makes the paper stiffer, so it holds a crease more easily.

penselen · Post by **penselen** » July 7th, 2009, 7:43 am

Here's a new thing I've been trying lately:

It's packing paper (giant roll type brown stuff) & unryu tissue on diagonals with foil & unryu tissue on opposite diagonals. It's worked well for shaping and gives a matte/ shiny effect for different parts of the model.

dahlia · Post by **dahlia** » July 15th, 2009, 8:36 pm

I tend to use kami for practice, tissue foil for complex model practice, and MC treated handmades or tissue for final models. BUT, I've discovered what has been for me the ideal paper for complex models--I MC back-coat two pieces of that crinkly paper that physicians (in the US) use on their exam tables. It's light, thin, super strong, reverses folds beautifully. Now I just have to call my kids' pediatrician to see if I can buy some rolls off her (I got the roll I had by pure luck).

-Dahlia

ArmyTim · Post by **ArmyTim** » July 16th, 2009, 12:13 am

I found some paper my mom used for packing when we moved. All are 60x60cm(Thankfully, already square, I measured.), and most the sheets are about the thickness of two tissues papers. The only problem is they are pretty wrinkly. I couldn't find anything about removing wrinkles when I searched, so I am posting here first hoping someone can point me to a thread. If not, I will make a topic for reference to others.

Post by **origami_8** » July 16th, 2009, 9:04 am

Have you tried to iron them with very low heat? It might work, especially if you moisten them a bit and try to stretch them out first.

ArmyTim · Post by **ArmyTim** » July 16th, 2009, 4:00 pm

Not yet, I haven't found my iron yet. All I have done is used alot of weight, but that didn't do much. I will look for my iron again. Thanks

marvz · Post by **marvz** » August 16th, 2009, 1:59 pm

I use recycled handmade paper

elanman · Post by **elanman** » August 16th, 2009, 11:18 pm

Has to be Kraft paper, I've only made two models from it, but they were both great to fold and came out great. The stuff is cheap as hell, too.

The models were Montroll's Rhinoceros and American Lobster.

foldymole · Post by **foldymole** » August 17th, 2009, 2:43 am

Kraft paper for now.

This was done using some 40 gsm paper, bought cheaply from ebay.

However, I'm struggling with the Kraft paper from Nicholas Terry's shop.

It's very slippery, and I can barely see the creases.

Hauk · Post by **Hauk** » August 24th, 2009, 9:19 pm

I put my question inside here, and hope for help

I have looked in this thread for an hour now, but I need a concrete answer for my aim I think!

I am pretty amateur when it comes to origami, but I want to increase my skills now, so I would like to try wet folding, but then I'm wondering: Which paper should I use? I need a lot of very, very cheap paper, and some better paper I can use when I have learned to fold the models solid!
I like to fold insects and animals and such things, models with curved creases. So i think wet folding is the thing.

I also needs width paper, because I'm gonna try models like the American Alligator by LaFosse (http://www.flickr.com/photos/11721579@N00/941544187/)

Hope anybody with experience on this things can help me. Smile

Bonus-question: I am also looking for a good book with insects - diagrams. Very few folds in every steps, and pictures besides some of the hardest steps, is preferred. Remember, I'm a newbie. Wink

NB! I live in Norway, so I need I place were I can find, and buy, this paper. (on the internet)

Regards Hauk (15)

Fanatic · Post by **Fanatic** » August 24th, 2009, 10:14 pm

The alligator is not very good for beginners, as are most insects. If you would like to try wet folding out, I recommend cheap watercolor paper. It is good for wet folding simpler models, and also for trying wet folding out. I personally don't like wet folding, and it is not necessary to make beautiful models.

Now, for your bonus question: I find the book Origami Insects I by Fumiaki Kawahata/Seiji Nishikawa has a lot of very good insects, with very enjoyable folding sequences and very realistic results. (Eyes and antennae, anyone?

) many models, such as the leaf insect, and not very hard to fold. Also, most of them can be folded from pretty much any paper, making it ideal for people who can't get very good/expensive papers.

Hauk · Post by **Hauk** » August 25th, 2009, 11:49 am

The alligator is not very good for beginners, as are most insects.

- I know they're a bit hard, but I give them a try

I have looked at the alligator diagram, and I think I can make it all right if I have big enough paper.

If you would like to try wet folding out, I recommend cheap watercolor paper.

- Thank you! I can try to find it in a shop here in Norway, if not, I can try to buy on any internet-shop.

Thank you for the answers, the book seems great!

FrumiousBandersnatch · August 25th, 2009, 3:41 pm

Question: Does craft paper actually hold creases? Or does it suffer from Splay Syndrome? I just seem to recall my foldings with plain brown paper not having much staying power. Do people MC the kraft or what?

Hauk wrote:
The alligator is not very good for beginners, as are most insects.
- I know they're a bit hard, but I give them a try I have looked at the alligator diagram, and I think I can make it all right if I have big enough paper.

If you would like to try wet folding out, I recommend cheap watercolor paper.
- Thank you! I can try to find it in a shop here in Norway, if not, I can try to buy on any internet-shop.

Thank you for the answers, the book seems great!

keep in mind also, that several companies do make colored papers that mimic the qualities of watercolor paper and are excellent for wet folding. I recommend the 'Mi Tientes' line by Canson. They may be named something different in norway, but essentially you are looking for large, textured sheets in a myriad of colors in the watercolor/large drawing paper section of your local art supplier.

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Paper - Preferred folding material

What material do you prefer to fold with?