What are the Different Types of Origami Papers Available?
Origami is an ancient art of paper folding associated with Japan and its culture. However, in modern times origami is an all-inclusive term for folding practices irrespective of their culture or origin.
So simply put, origami is the art of folding paper to create shapes, animals, and objects.
Moreover, it is one of the most elegant crafts activities that teaches one patience and enhances cognition as the brain engages with complex patterns.
If you are an amateur in the art of origami and would like to learn its complex intricacies then you have come to the right place.
Through this guide, you will learn some easy yet unique ways to do origami with different types of paper. But before digging straight into the art, let’s scratch the surface and learn about the different types of papers used when it comes to origami.
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Scratching the surface: Types of papers used in origami
Although it is not necessarily mandatory to use origami paper, it is recommended to do so. Origami paper is thinner than regular paper and easily foldable.
It is the exact combination that can hold the fold without making it appear bulky and has strong tear resistance.
It is also equally important to know the different types of papers through which you can perform origami.
Origami paper comes in both vibrant and ‘laid-back’ or pale gradience, sizes and types. Most of them are available in shapes of squares, although rectangular and circular origami papers are also not that uncommon.
The most common type of origami paper is one that is colored on one side and white on the other. There are various locations you can find origami paper at, including stationery shops, office supply stores, arts and crafts stores and various websites on the Internet.
Now that you know the basics of what an origami paper is, we have compiled a list of the most commonly used origami papers globally. This will help you further distinguish between various types of origami paper, and you can even select one that serves your needs the best.
- Duo Paper
Duo paper has one color on the top side, and another color at the bottom side. It is best used while making objects, shapes or animals of which both sides will be displayed.
For example, a strawberry would have its red section in the red side of an origami paper, and the green tuft with green side of the same paper.
Duo paper is relatively rare, but can be found on online sites such as Amazon at great prices.
Foil paper has its one side similar to aluminium foil, and the other side is white or plain. This type of origami paper is comparatively more difficult to fold because once it has been folded, it will leave a crease mark on the paper. Or in simpler words, you cannot make any mistakes while using foil paper.
- Washi and Chiyogami Paper
In Japanese language, washi means ‘Japanese paper’. The difference between washi and regular paper is that washi is available in more textures and is comparatively softer. Various kinds of washi are made from different kinds of plant fibers. Chiyogami is a type of washi imprinted with traditional Japanese imagery.
In the ancient times, wasi and chiyogami were handmade, however these traditional methods have been overtaken mostly by mechanical devices now.
- Wrapping Papers
Wrapping papers are nothing but papers available in really large sizes, such as 31” x 22”. If your origami requires paper bigger than that, then you can always resort to reels of wrapping paper and cut them into smaller squares. And when it comes to wrapping paper, you have an expansive field of patterns you can choose from, including holographic paper!
- Dwarf Papers
Dwarf papers are nothing but really small papers. These types of origami papers are best for making fragile, small and delicate origami jewellery and greeting cards.
- Circular Origami Paper/Kirigami Paper
Circular origami papers have relatively few sources as not a lot of diagrams begin with a circular point of construct. Although circular origami paper is used in another form of Japanese art called kirigami.
- Animal Print Origami Paper
Animal print origami paper is especially popular among toddlers as they use their vivid imagination to create objects out of paper. Although, at times flat animal print origami paper looks stupendous but when folded, it might not give out the desired effect. Despite this, it remains quite popular among toddlers as they play around using their inventive originality.
- Make your own paper!
Why rely on any external source of paper when you can make your own origami paper? It will only add more value to your creative sojourn and your experience with paper folding. You can customize your origami paper using various types of plant fibers, and even flowers. You can also use synthetic dyes to color your paper as per your choice. Some origami objects outshine their lot when made with personalized handmade paper.
Now that you have some insight into the type of paper you would like to choose for your origami, let’s dig into its other aspects.
What else do you need to know about origami?
Origami is a subtle art of elegance, patience, preciseness and mere determination. It is important to keep in mind the vitality of creasing and folding the paper to a measure as precise as you can.
Moreover, it is often colloquially referred to as the art of patience due to the long-term attention span and dedication it requires.
So do keep in mind to not give up easily, and you do not necessarily have to create something tremendously successful within the first go. Remember, practice makes perfect.
How to make a ‘Flapping Butterfly’ using origami?
Difficulty Level: Easy
As children, all of us must have indulged in the sophisticated art form that origami is without even realizing it.
Remember making airplanes as a child?
You can connect the dots now, can’t you? The thrill we felt while slowly yet strongly pushing the plane into thin air to watch it fly… nostalgia comes to mind! And there is a certain stiffness in the immobility of creative products. And so we find a flapping butterfly more extraordinary than a normal butterfly.
So let’s learn the art of making a flapping butterfly using origami paper.
- Place a square sheet of origami paper on a table, or a flat surface with its colored side facing down.
- Fold the bottom half of the origami paper to the top half and make sure that the edges meet precisely. Crease it. Unfold.
- Now, fold the top and the bottom edge such that they meet at the center.
- Fold all the four edges of the origami paper such that they meet at the horizontal crease in the center.
- Fold down the top half of the paper. You are now looking at a trapezium with the shorter parallel line at the bottom.
- Fold the center of this bottom line to the top line. With your finger at the center, crease a line about 2.5 cm (1 inch) in length. Do not crease the paper all the way.
- Remove your finger. You should see the crease only at the center.
- Turn over the paper.
- Place your index finger at the center, vertically covering the entire paper. Wrap the paper around your finger from both the sides.
- After you remove your finger, you will see a loop in its place.
- Poke at the center of the thus formed loop or circular tube such that it bends at the center.
- Use your thumb and index finger to grab the two ends of this tube and pinch them together.
- If you want to make the butterfly flap, then just pinch and release.
Let’s get virtual!
You must have come across the famous origami cranes at least at some point in your life. Although, if you have not yet then today is your lucky day! Cranes are a commonly created bird out of origami paper and it is often practiced by amateurs and professionals equally. Keeping the same pursuit in mind, here is a YouTube tutorial on how to make a crane.
How to Make A Paper Crane: Origami Step by Step – Easy
In this YouTube tutorial, you will learn how to make a crane out of an A4 size sheet, a pair of scissors and highlighters. The method described is easy and can be used with almost any other sheet of paper. The best type of paper used for making a crane would be the Duo paper or washi and chiyogami paper.
How to make a jumping frog out of origami paper?
Difficulty Level: Medium
Origami paper frogs that can also jump are fun to play with and often cool to look at when in action. And so if you are looking for a way to make a frog out of origami paper then here’s how you can do it.
- Start with a square the size of origami paper, or preferably green colored origami paper.
- Fold the paper in half by bringing the left side over the right size.
- Fold the top left corner of the pillar thus obtained to the right side. This would give a sharp edge to the top right corner forming a right-angled triangle.
- Unfold it. You should be back to the pillar shape.
- Repeat the process with the other corner by folding the right corner to the left side.
- Unfold it. And you should be back to the pillar shape.
- Fold the top of the paper to the point of intersection of the two diagonals.
- Unfold the paper. This would give you a common intersecting point.
- Use your thumb and index finger to fold the edges of the horizontal line at the center. Now, fold these edges by pushing them towards the center such that a triangle forms at the top with a flapping layer of paper under it.
- Fold the rectangle at the bottom toward the triangle and into half.
- Now, take the bottom two corners of the triangle and fold them along the extreme edges of the triangle. They should intersect at the center.
- Fold both the sides of the rectangle below towards the center.
- Fold the rectangle below in half toward the triangle.
- For the frog’s legs, fold the top right and top left corners of the rectangle below to meet at the center of the bottom most line.
- Unfold the legs such that they stay upright.
- Now, fold the legs up, apply pressure and crease it.
- Fold down the left and right legs of the origami paper frog in a slant, similar to its arms at the top.
- You will see a ‘X’ at the center. Fold the legs of the frog and lay them on top of the arms such that they intersect at this point.
- Form a spring by folding half the legs.
- Place your origami paper frog on its feet. It will jump if you push on the rear.
Let’s get virtual!
If you are looking for a way to make tiny and petite envelopes out of squares of origami paper, then here is a link to a YouTube tutorial that will help you with the same.
Super Easy Origami Envelope Tutorial – DIY – Paper Kawaii
In this less than 5 minute video, you will learn how to make small and delicate envelopes out of origami paper, preferably the Duo paper. A couple of folds here, a couple of folds there and viola! Your mini-envelope made out of origami paper is ready.
What else can you do with origami paper?
There is innumerable amount of things that you can do with origami paper. The variability in their colors, styles, and patterns only makes it easier to give it a multifaceted perspective. Here are a few ideas about what can do with origami paper:
- Origami paper can be used as a note attached to a gift.
- Origami paper can be used to stick together quotes that you like. You can even bind these into a book.
- Origami paper can be used as an alternative for wrapping paper.
- Origami paper can also be used as a wrap-around sandwich paper.
These are just a few ideas that can be creatively played out in multiple ways.
Conclusion
Origami has been growing as a hobby since its founding. Day after day individuals come with inventive ways to use origami paper, which also displays their diligence and patience. It is an activity for toddlers, youngsters and elderly alike. And practice only makes perfect. So go on and make your first origami design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is origami paper different from regular paper?
Yes, origami paper is comparatively smaller than regular paper. It is also thinner than regular paper which makes it easier to crease and fold it into numerous shapes, designs and objects.
Where can I get origami paper from?
Origami paper is easily available in stationery stores and other office supply stores. If you want more options and variety, then you can also check out sites such as Amazon or Flipkart that sell stylized origami paper in different types and designs.
Can I make an envelope out of origami paper?
Yes, you can make an envelope out of origami paper. The steps are very easy, and this envelope can be used as a mini-card giftaway. Here is one of the easiest ways to make a mini envelope out of origami paper:
Find a square origami paper, preferably a duo paper as they are colored on both sides. Mark the midpoint by folding the paper halfway through on either side, thus making a mini right-angled triangle temporarily. Now, fold three of its sides toward this intersection and glue them together. The remaining side would make for the flap that opens the origami paper envelope.
You can either use a small sticker on this flap to ensure it sticks to the other three sides, or glue it and tie a thread around it to give it a pinch of creativity.
What can I do with origami paper?
There are various things that you can do with origami paper including making mini paper animals, birds, flowers; and objects such as boxes and vases. Apart from that, origami paper can also be used to write small notes to attach to a gift as a personal and intimate gesture. In fact, another commonly known usage of origami paper is as sandwich paper.
Can I make my own paper for origami?
Yes, you can make your own paper at home for origami. However, you will have to ensure that the paper is thin enough to be creased and folded easily. This is an excellent technique to save paper or recycle paper.
Avni Deopura
Content Writer
An SEO Expert, a Prolific Content Writer, and a dreamer currently pursuing a postgraduate degree in Master of Science in Psychology from St. Joseph’s College of Arts and Science. She is working as a Content Producer and Social Media Analyst.
End of – “How To Do Origami With Different Types Of Origami Paper?”
