Slim Paper Wallet

This instructable was made using a composite of recycled consumer (printer) paper and banana fiber paper. Any 8.5" by 11" paper will work, but thicker papers will result in a higher quality paper wallet.

Green Banana Paper makes higher quality hand-made wallets at their eco-factory in Kosrae, Micronesia. To learn more and see what a banana fiber paper wallet looks like go to www.greenbananapaper.com

To make your own wallet at home follow the instructions below

Step 1: Hamburger Fold

Line up your corners and fold the paper in half like a hamburger (as opposed to a hotdog).

Neatly crease the edge while keeping the corners lined up.

Step 2: Fold Each End Into the Middle

Open the paper from our hamburger fold in Step 1.

Neatly fold and crease each end into the center crease we made in Step 1.

Step 3: Fold the Outside Edges Together Along the Center Crease

Fold along the original crease so that the paper is now 1/4 the original size.

Crease the edges well.

Step 4: Creating the Wallet Shape

Rotate the paper 90 degrees and fold in half to create the traditional wallet shape.

Crease all the edges well.

Unfold the paper in preparation for Step 5.

Step 5: Making the End Flap Cuts

Open the paper and make 3/4" cuts on each of the marked green lines.

These will be used to create flaps that will secure both ends of the wallet.

Step 6: Creating the Credit Card Slots

Fold the paper in half like a hotdog and make a cut along the 3rd section from the top.

Leave 1/4" on either end of your cut (red lines) to make the wallet stronger and more durable.

Cut out the green section to create the credit card opening (any shape you want!).

Step 7: Folding the Flaps

Turn the paper so that the credit card slot is now on the 3rd section from the top.

Fold the flaps from the 2nd and 4th sections inwards and crease well.

Step 8: Refolding the Wallet

Rotate the paper 90 degrees so that the credit card slot (3rd section) is closer to your right hand.

While keeping your flaps from the 2nd and 4th section folded in, bring the edges of the paper into the center crease just like we did in Steps 2.

Repeat Steps 3 and 4 so that the credit card slots are now inside the wallet.

Step 9: Trim the Flaps

Securing the end flaps is the hardest part, trim the corners to make the next step easier.

Only take off a little bit off the corners.

Step 10: Securing the Inner Flap

Now for the tricky part.

There are two flaps on each end to help secure the wallet.

First, find the inner flap and inner pocket.

Fold the inner flap back and forth so that it is pliable.

Work the inner flap into the inner pocket and crease.

You can either do this to both ends now or do Steps 10 and 11 one end at a time.

Step 11: Secure the Outer Flap

With the inner flap secured now we can finish one end.

First, find the outer flap and outer pocket.

Fold the outer flap back and forth so that it is pliable.

Work the outer flap into the outer pocket and crease.

Repeat for both ends of the wallet.

Fold back into the wallet shape and make sure you have creased all of the edges well.

You're Finished!

Step 12: Watch the Video for More Details

This wallet can hold tons of cash and many credit cards.

The thicker the paper the better to hold everything together.

For extra durability, tape the folds inside their pockets so that the ends do not come undone.

Please share, comment and post your wallets!

Green Banana Paper has been making high end eco-friendly products since 2014. We are dedicated to sustainable manufacturing processes and providing a fair wage and working conditions for our island staff. Check us out at www.greenbananapaper.com to learn more about banana fiber paper!