Paper Wallet

For a high quality, eco-friendly, and expandable paper wallet that will last you years check out the Tyvek wallet from PAPERWALLET.  
www.paperwallet.com

To create your own paper wallet from a normal piece of paper follow these instructions: 

One sheet of 8.5 by 11 paper folded, with minimal cutting, and one piece of tape = durable, seamless, useable, write-onable, minimalist wallet.

Step 1: Hamburger Fold Squared

neatly fold the 8.5"x11" sheet of paper in half (to look like a hamburger shape as opposed to a skinny hot dog fold). open it, and fold the two flaps into the middle, so it is split in 4 (second picture).

Step 2: Fold in 1/2 and Then Crease

now fold the paper in 1/2 perpendicular to the other folds and crease from the folds you just made. notice how it has a natural tendency to stay closed, this is the basic wallet shape. now unfold.

Step 3: Cut

Cut along the black lines (viewed from the inside) please note picture comments.

Step 4: Fold Flaps

fold the 2nd and 4th flaps from the top inside on either side.

Step 5: Tape

tape the lower cut (not the diamond) so both sides are flush, your paper will not be flat anymore.

NOTE: this step can be done after step 7, it will be harder, but the wallet will lay flatter and be more square.

you can also put a small piece of tape at the top of the diamond (on the 2nd panel down)
as this is now the wallets weakest point

now refold, like in step 2

Step 6: Crease Again

neatly crease the wallet starting from the back to the edges. 2 flaps should be sticking out of each end of the wallet.

Step 7: Zipper Folding

I finally figured out an easy way to explain this

you will lock both ends separately.

starting from the inside, and going to the outside, there will be a flap, then a pocket, then another flap, and another pocket. We'll call these 1,2,3,4 respectively. Fold the inner flap (3) into the inner pocket (2), then fold the outer flap (1) over 2 and 3, and into the outer pocket (4).

do the same to the other end.

i would suggest taping flap 3 inside the pocket to hold the wallet together better.

Step 8: Wow, You're Done Already!

this wallet should easily hold tons of cash, 4 easily accessible credit cards, and 2-4 more locked credit cards

the outside (edge) credit card slot has a flap you tucked in. unfold this flap, put cards in, refold flap, and they should be locked in, you can now put another card in this pocket.

this wallet is very durable due to its construction, but feel free to use tyveck or other materials if you have them.

any questions/improvements/praises PLEASE COMMENT


it should be noted that in the real world i use something like johnsuri's 'anti-wallet'. his idea deserves more credit. i've added an extra clip and some paracord so that i can secure my things to my belt loop, and have my car keys handy. (3rd pic)
https://www.instructables.com/id/the-anti-wallet/
takes up less space than a wallet in your front pocket, everything is secure, and since it has my keys too, it's all i have to carry.

Comments

[xXOceanxX]

This is really good! I made it and it turned out AWESOME ^_^

[s933649]

I had trouble doing it but I did it's because girls can do aything.

[gavthelegoman]

i made one of these but this is better =>

[tyler.shields]

Very cool!

[here4u2lips]

salutations one an all, i made mine out of super cheap construction paper ... what a joy this is ... i will be making a grip of these and decorating them, and filling them with a gift card and some cash ... and using them in the advent calenders for christmas. thanks for sharing

[alan_marks59]

I made this using card stock after the first one fell apart after about 6 months of daily use. Make sure to crease each fold in steps one and two sharply (I used the barrel of a stick pen to press the folds). Then, when I opened it up for the cuts there was a perfect outline for the center pocket cut. This made it REALLY easy to cut out and reassemble. For the side cuts I guesstimated about 1/2 inch, so I used the length of my index finger's fingernail to make all the cuts the same size. Tape reinforcement at the stress points will keep the wallet strong! Also, if you fold the end flaps before you tuck them in they are easier to insert into the end pockets.

[lovemimi]

do you have to use tape? what if you dont have any can you use glue

[dyno-mighty-1]

Why is there a website linked on this? Were you paid to post this content for that company? Is that allowed?

[FangWoeiL]

Super! Just what i need to carry the bare minimum when running. Also, it doesnt attract attention like a regular wallet. And this is flatter than the current paperwallet i am using now.

[fengv23]

I love this design! I modified mine so there was a place to store coins.

[SeanM246]

This is a great instructable. I have made a few wallets from paper and Tyvek using these instructions. Yesterday was the 1 year anniversary of a Tyvek wallet that I have been using every day since I made it. It's a little soft and dirty, so today I'm going to make a replacement. I may add stitches to the ends to keep the shape more rectangular. Thanks for sharing!

[prachipatel]

i dont understand how to do steps 6 and 7. can u please help me?

[Sambowam]

Cool Instructable. Had fun making it

[zrevai]

I just bought a Mighty Wallet made from high grade Tyvek and it is awesome!!! I can't wait to get some blank Tyvek sheets and try making a few wallets on my own!!!

[Cat00x]

if you want to go on the cheap I found a tyveck mailing envelope through one of the overnight mailing companies (FedEd, UPS), and cut that up to make one...

[ooohlaa]

such a fun project; with all the scrapbook papers around you can really make some elegant designs, stocking stuffers for the holidays, etc. It would make a great money wallet when you are giving a cash gift to someone. I am going to make one for all the gift cards I keep in my car, currently using a fat plastic one. Could also try the Tyvek USPS envelope tyvek from mailer envelopes ... all kinds of fun and creativity. Thanx so much! Lovely presentation.

[sridharsrao]

Does it have a coin section?

[AndreaP74]

The measurements don't make much sense. It's just too small. A4 is more like it.

[HaydenB6]

it looks hard

[Christian Reese]

That's cool and all, but how long can this wallet last?