Introduction: How to Make a Pigeon or a Dove (or a Stork) With a Single Sheet of Paper

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About: I am a paper engineer, writer, maker and chemist wannabe. In addition to pop-up cards I design and build furniture, lights, costumes or whatever I happen to need at the time. Lipstick, a mixing studio, all-pur…

This card is fairly easy to cut and fold (compared to the other cards I've designed) plus you can personalize it however you want by changing the message the pigeon is carrying, or by writing or drawing on the card itself.

Step 1: Video Tutorial

This is a video of the stork pop-up card; although the bird is different, the paper engineering is very similar, so you can watch this to learn how to make the dove. If you prefer written instructions, read on!

Step 2: Preparation

Here's a list of what you'll need:

Template (this is formatted for 8.5" by 11" but you can still print it on A4 paper. You'll just need to trim the edges when you're done with the card). This template can be downloaded for free from my website. You'll get all my other free designs by signing up for my newsletters (I don't ever share or sell this information, and you can unsubscribe at any time).

Cutting board (a real one works best but you can substitute it with corrugated cardboard)

An exacto knife (Small scissors with a pointed sharp end could work but you might not be able to get the best detail -- but with scissors you won't need the cutting board either)

Glue

2 sheets of cardboard stock of contrasting color (you can use regular paper but the result won't look as good. Construction paper can work too but it usually doesn't come in letter size so you'll need to trim it first).

A ball point pen for scoring.

Step 3: Print and Cut

Print the template on your card stock. You can use white for a dove or grey for a pigeon, or any other color you choose.

Cut along solid lines.

Please note: if your printer won't work with light card stock (mine won't...) you can print on regular paper. Tape your blank cardboard paper to your cutting board with drafting tape, then tape your template over it. You will then cut and score through both sheets at once, and you can pop out the shapes in either direction.

Step 4: Score

Score along the dotted lines (both dots and dashes) with the ball point pen. Press down firmly but not TOO hard... you don't want to put a hole in your paper. You can use a ruler to make your lines straight.

If you want to write or draw on the inside of the card you should do it now. Flip the paper around so you work on the side which doesn't have the printed lines.

Step 5: Fold

Flip the paper around so you don't see the printed lines, then pull the bird towards you while folding the card's middle crease. Don't fold it all the way yet...

To make sure you're doing it the right way, when you look on the printed side the dotted lines are for mountain folds (like the summit of a mountain) and the dashes are for valley folds.

Once all the scored lines are folded in the right direction you can fold the card all the way and press down on the creases.

Step 6: Start Gluing

Fold your second piece of paper in half. This will be your card's back.

Put glue (very sparingly!) on one side of the cut-out piece of paper.

Line it up so the the middle crease is lined up exactly with the crease on your card's back.

Press it down flat.

Step 7: Finish Gluing

Put glue (sparingly!) on second half of the cutout card. Be careful not to put any glue on the bird or it might stick to the back and not pop out.

Fold it flat to glue the second half.

Step 8: Customize It

Give the pigeon a letter to carry... or the dove an olive branch... or the stork a basket with a baby inside.... I'd love to see what you do with this, so send me a picture!