Texture is a very important element for any scrapbook page, greeting card, or 3D craft project. You can easily add texture with corrugated paper…ie it has folds like a hand held paper fan. Here are 3 different ways to create corrugated paper…use them in your next craft project!
Using a paper crimping tool
To describe how these tools work… think of a pasta machine. The dough is placed in the throat of the machine; you use a crank to pass the dough through two rollers; the dough comes out of the machine just the way you want it. This is the exact process for crimping paper with a special tool. The difference is that both rollers on the tool have ridges that create creases in the paper. Crimpers can be purchased with rollers that have parallel lines or wavy lines, each of which gives you a unique look. You can find either style at many craft supply stores or order a parallel line crimper in your Stampin’ Up! Demonstrator.
Press paper with a paper cutter
If you have a paper cutter with a scoring blade, you can add a ‘crimp’ to any paper. Cut your piece to the length and width you need, keeping in mind that after “curling” the paper will be slightly smaller due to the folds. You will make two sets of punctuation marks: one set on each side of the paper. This will give you “hills” and “valleys” which you will then fold like a handheld paper fan.
Here’s how to create 1/4″ deep ‘crimps’: Start by making a mark 1/2″ from the right edge of your paper and then mark every 1/2″ down the length of your paper ( these are the “hills”). Flip your paper over and place the first mark in the slot of your paper cutter. Now move your paper 1/4″ to the right and make a score. Now mark every 1/2″ along your piece (these are the “valleys”). Now fold your paper like you’re making a fan. Make sure each fold is neatly folded, preferably with a bone folder or a similar tool.
press paper by hand
Now that you understand the concept of corrugated paper (make creases and then fold it like a fan), you can create unique corrugations by hand. Make the hills and valleys by creating your first fold, then flip it over and fold again, repeating this process all the way down the piece. This is a time-consuming approach, but it gives you the flexibility to create folds of different widths on one sheet of paper. This will create a very dramatic look and add a lot of texture.
In summary
These three styles of making corrugated paper (with a special tool, with your paper cutter, or by hand) will create a sheet of paper that will definitely add an unexpected and dramatic look to your next project. I hope you make corrugated paper very soon!