Introduction: Getting Started With Paper Circuits

By BrownDogGadgets
About: I used to teach middle school science, but now I run my own online educational science website. I spend my days designing new projects for students and Makers to put together.

Electronics and Paper

Adding electronics to paper crafts is a fun way to take any project to the next level. A design can really shine when you incorporate lights, and by adding a switch, you can change how someone interacts with the project. The possibilities are endless, and learning the basics couldn’t be easier.

In this Getting Started with Paper Circuits guide, we’ll tell you what materials to use, explain how simple circuits work, and provide templates and examples that you can build right away. (If you want to use the templates download the PDF and print it out!) We’ll recommend projects that will help you practice your skills. You can also follow along by watching the Getting Started with Paper Circuits video.

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Attachments

Supplies

Brown Dog Gadgets sells kits and supplies, but you don't need to buy anything from us to create paper circuits. (Though if you do it does help support us in creating new projects and resources for teacher and students.)

The easiest way to get all of the parts you need is to pick up a Paper Circuits Kit, but if you've already got some conductive tape, coin cell batteries, LEDs, brass fasteners, paper clips, binder clips, vibration motors, and other supplies those will work as well.

Note: We are using Maker Tape (a nylon tape that is conductive on the top, bottom, and all the way through) because it's the easiest tape to work with when creating paper circuits. Other conductive tapes (copper foil, etc.) are often only conductive on the top surface, so they will not work for some of these techniques, including the "Tape Loop" we use to connect the battery.

Step 1: What Makes a Circuit a Circuit?

Power

Every circuit needs a power source. For paper circuits, a coin-cell battery is perfect because it’s small and flat. We use CR2032 batteries, but any 3V coin cell battery will work.

Wire

Most circuits use metal wires to connect components. For paper circuits, we use Maker Tape, a conductive tape that’s made of woven metal fabric with conductive adhesive on the bottom. It’s flexible and flat, like paper!

Outputs

The output of a circuit is what it “does.” The circuits in this guide light up with LEDs (light emitting diodes). Other circuits could vibrate, make sound, or even change color.

Inputs

Inputs are ways to interact with a circuit like buttons and switches. Yes, you can have a circuit with no input, but a string of lights is way better with a switch! Inputs add interactivity and control.

Step 2: Tricks of the Trade

Maker Tape

  • Maker Tape comes in 2 sizes: 1/4 inch and 1/8 inch.
  • We use 1/4 inch tape for paper circuits because components like LEDs are easier to attach with wider tape.
  • 1/8 inch tape is great for working in a brick-based environment.

Positive and Negative

  • LEDs have one positive leg and one negative leg. The long leg is positive, and the short leg is negative.

Hiding the Circuit

  • Once you get the hang of building circuits on paper, hide the circuit on the back of the paper instead. To do this, poke holes where the LEDs go and thread the legs through from the other side.
  • It will make the light, sound, or motion seem like magic!

Print on Cardstock

  • The electronic components are heavy compared to paper, so using a thicker stock of paper like cardstock is recommended - especially when you are just starting out.
  • (…but printer paper will work in a pinch!)

Attaching the Battery

The Tape Loop Method

  • Make a small tape loop underneath the battery to stick it down to the tape.
  • Pro: All you need is Maker Tape, and you can place the battery anywhere on the page.
  • Con: Peeling the tape back to remove or change the battery can be difficult.

The Binder Clip Method

  • Fold the corner of the paper around the battery and the Maker Tape, then use a binder clip to keep it in place.
  • Pro: It’s easier to remove/replace the battery.
  • Con: It’s bulky, and you need to place the battery at the edge of the paper.




Step 3: The Simplest Circuit

Make a circuit with a single LED

  1. Bend the LED legs flat, and place them on the paper where shown, with the negative (shorter) leg facing up. (Tip: Place a bend in the longer leg to remember that it’s positive!)
  2. Place Maker Tape along the top line and over the negative LED leg, stopping at the spot where the battery goes.
  3. Add a loop of Maker Tape on top of the line of tape, then place the battery on top of it with the positive side of the battery facing up.
  4. Place Maker Tape over the battery and down along the line.
  5. Place Maker Tape across the bottom line and over the positive LED leg. The LED should light up!


Try a Tape Loop!

  • We'll use "tape loops" for a these circuits since they are the easiest method of attaching a battery.
  • Note: If you're not using Maker Tape, which is conductive on both sides and all the way through, a tape loop might not work properly. Most copper foil tapes are not conductive on both sides.


Step 4: Double Trouble

Make a circuit with 2 LEDs

  1. Bend each of the LEDs’ legs flat, and place them on the paper where shown, with the negative (shorter) legs facing up.
  2. Place Maker Tape along the top line and over the negative LED legs, stopping at the spot where the battery goes.
  3. Add a loop of Maker Tape on top of the line of tape, then place the battery on top of it with the positive side of the battery facing up.
  4. Place Maker Tape over the battery and down along the line.
  5. Place Maker Tape across the bottom line and over the positive LED legs. Both of the LEDs should light up!


Step 5: Adding a Switch

Make a circuit with a simple switch

  1. Bend each of the LEDs’ legs flat, and place them on the paper where shown, with the negative (shorter) legs facing up.
  2. Place Maker Tape along the top line and over the negative LED legs, stopping at the spot where the battery goes.
  3. Add a loop of Maker Tape on top of the line of tape, then place the battery on top of it with the positive side of the battery facing up.
  4. Place Maker Tape over the battery and down along the line, stopping where shown.
  5. Place Maker Tape across the bottom line and over the positive LED legs.
  6. Place a piece of maker tape over the line near the fold line as shown.
  7. Cut out the circuit along the dotted lines, including the lines on the left near the fold line.
  8. Fold the flap at the fold line, and use it to bridge the gap between the two pieces of Maker Tape in the circuit. When the switch is closed, the LEDs should light up!



Step 6: Paper Clip Switch

Use a brass fastener and a metal paper clip to make a switch that connects only one of two LEDs at at time, or turns the circuit off

  1. Thread the brass fastener through the paperclip and push it through the paper where shown. Bend the legs flat on the back.
  2. Bend each of the LEDs’ legs flat, and place them on the paper where shown.
  3. Place Maker Tape along the lines using the tape loop method for the battery and making sure the Maker Tape runs over the brass fastener. This will allow the current to flow through the paper clip and also allow the paper clip to move freely.
  4. You can now move the paper clip to touch one or the other piece of Maker Tape to choose which LED you want to turn on. Or, leave it in the middle to turn the entire circuit off.


Step 7: Changing It Up

The skills that you just learned can be applied to many types of projects. For example, instead of an LED, you could use a vibration motor so that when the circuit is closed, it will vibrate!

Experiment with making your own circuits that combine multiple inputs and outputs.

Step 8: More Projects & Inspiration

Other Materials

You can use Maker Tape on more than just paper. In fact, any flat surface will do!

This makes it a great material to design circuits on top of felt or other craft materials, like the LED bracelet below. With the same paper circuit techniques, you can build all kinds of projects! The possibilities are endless.

These are just some of the projects to try next! Check out all of our free project templates and guides available to download at www.BrownDogGadgets.com

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