How to Make a 3D Card

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

In this tutorial, you'll learn how to make a card that allows you to give the impression that the picture has a three dimensional aspect to it.

Method 1
Method 1 of 2:

Making the Card Base

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Make-a-3D-Card-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-3D-Card-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5d\/Make-a-3D-Card-Step-1.jpg\/aid1916612-v4-728px-Make-a-3D-Card-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":553,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The card can be made in any color.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Make-a-3D-Card-Step-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-3D-Card-Step-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/79\/Make-a-3D-Card-Step-2.jpg\/aid1916612-v4-728px-Make-a-3D-Card-Step-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":553,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Advertisement
  3. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Make-a-3D-Card-Step-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-3D-Card-Step-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Make-a-3D-Card-Step-3.jpg\/aid1916612-v4-728px-Make-a-3D-Card-Step-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":553,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    The longer the snip is, the closer to the end of the card the item will be.
  4. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Make-a-3D-Card-Step-4.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-3D-Card-Step-4.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/b\/b5\/Make-a-3D-Card-Step-4.jpg\/aid1916612-v4-728px-Make-a-3D-Card-Step-4.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":553,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    5. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 2:

Adding the Drawings

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Make-a-3D-Card-Step-5.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-3D-Card-Step-5.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/c2\/Make-a-3D-Card-Step-5.jpg\/aid1916612-v4-728px-Make-a-3D-Card-Step-5.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":553,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Perhaps draw clouds, trees, bushes, and people! Then cut out your drawings, neatly and carefully. In this tutorial, the artist has chosen to draw a snake that is coming up out of the card––it's a good idea to choose an image pose that suggests movement or length, to make the surprise even more exciting when the recipient opens the card.
  2. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Make-a-3D-Card-Intro.jpg\/v4-460px-Make-a-3D-Card-Intro.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/c\/cd\/Make-a-3D-Card-Intro.jpg\/aid1916612-v4-728px-Make-a-3D-Card-Intro.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":349,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":553,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>License: <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\" class=\"external text\" href=\"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by-nc-sa\/3.0\/\">Creative Commons<\/a><br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Use tape or glue to position the drawings in the right spot. Close the card to check it fits well, then you're done!
    3. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can I make the 3D parts anywhere on the card?
    Community Answer
    Anywhere along the fold end. You shouldn't cut the 3D part on the fold line close to the top.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 19 Helpful 32
  • Question
    What is the card supposed to look like when it is closed?
    Community Answer
    The card will look like any card, but with a slit. If you would like to cover the slits, put another layer of paper on the outside of the card.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 14 Helpful 23
  • Question
    Can I make a book on the upper part of the paper?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can, but make sure the fold does not get disrupted so as to manage the popping out.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 16 Helpful 23
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Tips

      • To make springs to allow the drawing to leap out, get two strips of paper and fold them on top of each other.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Make 3D Pictures
      How to
      Make a Pop Up Card
      What to Write in a “Get Well” Card After Surgery: 100+ Heartfelt Ideas
      How to
      Make Playing Cards
      How to Design and Make Your Own Postcard
      How to
      Make a Greeting Card
      How to Create a Lovely Handmade Card in Less than 10 Minutes
      How to
      Make Post Cards in Word
      How to
      Make a Never Ending Card
      How to
      Make a Pig Pop up Card (Robert Sabuda Method)
      How to
      Make Handmade Greeting Cards
      How to
      Make Different Types of Greeting Cards
      How to
      Make a Christmas Tree Pop up Card (Robert Sabuda Method)
      How to
      Make a Pop Up Birthday Card
      Advertisement

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To make a 3D card, start by folding a piece of cardstock in half. Next, make two snips along the fold where you want something to pop out, and fold in the part you snipped. Then, cut out your drawing and glue it to the popped out area of the card so it has a 3D effect when the recipient opens it. For tips on how to design your pop-up card, keep reading!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 149,483 times.

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement