

Specialty types of origami paper are also available. It can be folded easily, holds its shape well, and sells for an affordable price. Origami hobbyists use it to practice new shapes and as art centerpieces. Kraft: This is the plain brown wrapping paper you may have seen on parcels in the mail. It’s easy to fold and holds creases well, making it a nice contrast paper to kami. While it’s thin at around 63 GSM, it folds easily, holds creases well, and is widely available with lots of colors and patterns.įoil: Typically super-thin at 50 GSM, this origami paper adds a metallic flash to creations. Kami: This is a good all-around paper suitable for beginning and intermediate artists. There are three common types of origami paper: kami, foil, and kraft paper. Two-sided or duo color origami paper features the same color on both sides. Origami paper may have “one-sided color” or “two-sided color,” also known as “duo color.” One-sided color paper is white on one side with a solid color or pattern on the other side.

Origami folds consist of just two types: mountains (upward folds) and valleys (downward folds). Memory: How well origami paper “remembers” a fold is essential to some shapes, such as the crane, where a crease is flattened and then re-folded later in the sequence to complete the shape.įorgiveness: Can the paper erase or reverse a fold line? While not essential in all types of origami paper, it’s good to understand this characteristic for certain origami projects.ĭeterioration: How quickly does the paper yellow and become brittle? Budget origami paper tends to age faster. It does not crease or break after just a few folds. Strength: Stronger origami paper can withstand repeated folding. Weight (thickness): Origami paper’s weight is listed as GSM, which stands for grams per square meter. These dimensions work well for beginning and intermediate origami designs. Size and shape: The most common shape is a square measuring 15x15 centimeters. When choosing origami paper, there are some key considerations to keep in mind that will help you get started and keep up your practice.Īvailability: Beginners should look for origami paper that is regularly in stock so that more can be easily ordered. Origami is composed of two words: oru (to fold) and kami (paper). This buying guide provides the answers to these questions and more, so you’ll know exactly which origami paper to buy for your paper-folding projects. You might also wonder if there are alternate choices to the paper found in origami kits. You might wonder if you should start with pricey heavyweight paper or lightweight, foil-lined paper. However, for those who are new to origami, selecting the best origami paper isn’t always intuitive. Fortunately, as origami has grown in popularity, finding perfectly cut origami paper squares has gotten easier. Many of the shapes cannot be successfully completed if the paper isn’t cut to the right dimensions. Origami relies on paper that is precisely measured and cut. As your skill increases, creating different shapes becomes easier, but there’s always a little challenge in every design, no matter how often you’ve created it.

It’s a thrill to watch your first origami crane appear under your fingertips when you’ve folded the paper just right.

Long popular in Japan, it has gained a huge following worldwide. Origami, the art of paper folding, is fascinating and fun.
