Print & build - 'Pushing the envelope with paper engineering'
If you like being creative with paper and card, have a go at building some of the models below; they are all free to download.
To make the most of this page you will need a colour printer that can print on light-weight card, some good scissors and an interest in fiddling with bits of paper. For some projects you will also need glue and a few other simple tools. Each project comes with a PDF printable template and a set of instructions. We aim to keep adding to this page and developing ideas, so feedback would be greatly appreciated, particularly relating to how easy/difficult projects are to complete. Once sufficient feedback has been received, projects will be given a complexity rating as follows:
​
1. Easy - Instructions were not needed
2. Moderate - Instructions were needed,
3. Complex - First attempt ended up in the bin.
4. Demanding - Black-belt in origami required.
Beach hut - Complexity rating 2/3
Description: Card beach hut, approximate dimensions: 6cm x 9 cm x 9.5cm high, with lift-off roof. Can be used as a gift box, or ornament, or just because a real beach hut is unaffordable.
You will need: An A4 Colour printer, two sheets of lightweight card (approx. 200 gsm works well), good scissors, a ruler (ideally clear plastic) and a blunt knife for scoring.
Garden shed - Complexity rating 2/3
Description: Card garden shed, approximate dimensions: 6cm x 9 cm x 9.5cm high, with a lift-off roof. Could be used as a present for someone interested in gardening; (add you own contents - seeds, home made fudge, biscuits etc.)
You will need: An A4 Colour printer, two sheets of lightweight card (approx. 200 gsm works well), good scissors, a ruler (ideally clear plastic) and a blunt knife for scoring.
Gift box - Complexity rating 2
Description: Small gift box, approximate dimensions: 6cm x 6 cm x 4cm high. Lid has a small printed label for your own message (small writing required!). Useful for err... putting a small gift in?
You will need: An A4 Colour printer, one sheet of lightweight card (approx. 200 gsm works well), good scissors, a ruler (ideally clear plastic) and a blunt knife for scoring.
Windy Duck - Complexity rating 2/3
Description: This is what you get when an engineer is left alone on a hot day with a desk fan, and several sheets of cardboard. Have a look at the video clip below to see the wacky waddler in action!
You will need: An A4 Colour printer, three sheets of A4 card (200- 250 gsm works well), good scissors, a ruler (ideally clear plastic), a blunt knife for scoring, a pencil, two marbles, some glue and a craft knife (a sharp kitchen knife can be used if you haven't got a craft knife.
Warning - (serious for once) - this model contains marbles; please don't leave it with unattended young children.
Beach hut template
click on image below
Beach hut instructions
click on image below
Garden shed template
click on image below
Garden shed instructions
click on image below
Gift box template
click on image below
Gift box instructions
click on image below
Windy Duck template
click on image below
Windy Duck instructions
click on image below
Fancy a different breed of duck? - Print off the duck 'blank' and you can customise one to your own design. Just click on the image to the right --->
​
Can't see the video? Hmmm - not sure why this happens on some browsers - however, there is a YouTube link:
​
