2nd level

Cut holes in folded paper

Part of Art and DesignDesign activity

Learn how to cut holes in folded paper

Folding paper before cutting a hole is a simple way to make holes of all shapes.

Holding image for a guide on cutting holes using folded paper.

Header that says 'What you will need'

Tools list for cutting round holes

Paper or card
Pencil
Scissors

If you want to create a perfect circle use a template to draw around.
If you want perfectly straight sides make sure you have a ruler.
If you are worried about making a mistake when drawing, you'll need a rubber too.

Header that says 'How to do it'

This option is simpler than cutting outward in a swirl or cutting to the corners but you will end up with a fold mark in your paper.

For a quick overview, check out the video: Cut different types of holes
To work at your own pace, follow the slideshow instructions below for curvy or angular holes:

Circle holes

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
Decide how big you want the hole to be and choose your paper
What will you be using it for? Will it frame something behind it?
Image caption,
Place your paper down and decide which way you are going to fold it
You can fold it up the way, down the way or from one side to the other. Choose what feels easiest and will give you the hole size you want.
Image caption,
Use your hands to fold the paper in half, lining the edges and corners up neatly
Here we chose to fold from left to right. Whichever way you fold your paper, use your fingers to help line up the corners.
Image caption,
Hold the fold gently in place with one hand and use a finger on your other hand to press down and along the crease
Start at the centre and press outwards to a corner, then repeat to the other corner. This keeps your fold line straight.
Image caption,
Draw half a circle that starts and ends on the folded side of the paper
The fold is your shape's line of symmetry so you only need to draw half of your circle. It must start and end on the folded side of the paper, otherwise it won't work!
Image caption,
Put your open scissors on your line and move the paper with your other hand as you cut
Keep your scissors in the same comfortable position in front of you. Using your other hand to move the paper around will make it easier to cut along the line.
Image caption,
Keep on cutting until you have cut the entire hole
Take your time cutting and moving the paper around, and remember to keep your other hand far away from the scissors!
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Place the paper back down
While the paper is folded, you can only see half of the hole you have cut.
Image caption,
Unfold the piece of paper to reveal the hole!
Finished! ...What will you use it for?

You can use the same technique to cut out curvy holes too:

An organic, curvy shape drawn on folded side of paper — Image caption,
Draw half a hole shape

An organic, curvy hole cut out of folded paper, with the shape that was removed — Image caption,
Remember to turn the paper as you cut

An unfolded piece of paper with a symmetrical, organic-shaped hole in the middle — Image caption,
Finished!

Square holes

Skip image gallery

Image caption,
Decide how big you want your square hole to be and choose your paper
Image caption,
Place your paper down and decide which way you are going to fold it
You can fold it up the way, down the way or from one side to the other. Choose what feels easiest to you.
Image caption,
Use your hands to fold the paper in half, lining the edges and corners up neatly
Here we chose to fold from left to right. Whichever way you fold your paper, use your fingers to help line up the corners.
Image caption,
Hold the fold gently in place with one hand and use a finger on your other hand to press down and along the crease
Start at the centre and press outwards to the paper's edge, then repeat to the other edge. This keeps your fold line straight.
Image caption,
Draw half a square starting and ending on the folded side of the paper
The fold is your shape's line of symmetry so you only need to draw half of your square. It must start and end on the folded side of the paper, otherwise it won't work!
Image caption,
Put your open scissors on your line and cut towards the nearest corner
Image caption,
Stop when you reach the corner
By stopping with your scissors half-closed you will prevent tears in the corner.
Image caption,
Turn your paper so your scissors face the next side, then repeat
Cut each side and turn at each corner. Take your time cutting and moving the paper around, and remember to keep your other hand far away from the scissors!
Image caption,
Place the paper back down
While the paper is folded, you will only see half of the hole you have cut.
Image caption,
Unfold the piece of paper to reveal the hole!
Finished! ...What will you use it for?

An unfolded piece of paper with a symmetrical angular hole in the middle

You can use the same technique to cut out angular holes too:

An unfolded piece of paper with a symmetrical angular hole in the middle

Artwork examples

A round border framing a photo of a cat — Image caption,
In this picture the hole becomes a frame, making the kitten really stand out

A 2D pair of glasses made from paper — Image caption,
Holes create the lenses in this pair of glasses

A monster with a curvy hole for a mouth — Image caption,
Experiment with cutting random hole shapes and seeing what you can turn them into

A star-shaped hole with the word 'star' in French placed over it — Image caption,
A simple star-shaped hole brings a French word to life

A 2D paper lighthouse with square holes for windows — Image caption,
In this piece, small square holes make the windows of a lighthouse

Fancy a challenge?

You can even layer card frames to create dramatic 3D scenes.

Learn how to create one with our guide: Make a 3D tunnel book from card

Header that says 'Tips and tricks'

Is your paper tearing or creasing?

It can be hard to cut the middle parts of your shape without tearing or creasing your paper.

Tip 1: Cut halfway along the line in one direction, then pause and cut the other half from the opposite direction.

Scissors cutting halfway along a semi circle on folded paper

Scissors cutting along the second half of a semi-circle on folded paper

Tip 2: Cut off the shape in chunks as you go along to give your scissors more space to cut.

Scissors cutting out a semi-circle on folded paper in sections

A semi-circle cut out of folded paper with the cut out sections next to it

Scissors cut into a square shape cut on a folded piece of paper

Scissors cut a segment out of a square hole on a piece of paper

A folded piece of paper with a hole cut out of it in segments

Learning recap

Header that says 'Remember!'

You can create round holes by cutting folded paper or by cutting outwards in a swirl. One is simpler and the other is neater.
You can create angular holes by cutting folded paper or by cutting the corners, then sides. One is quicker and the other is neater.
If cutting your shape is difficult try cutting in chunks or in different directions.

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