Craft Tip: Scoring, Folding, and Curving

Folds give paper models and crafts their form. They can transform flat shapes into cubes, cones, and spheres.

Scoring, Folding, & Curving

There are two basic types of folds: mountain folds and valley folds. Mountain folds have the folded edge pointing outward, making an ‘A’ or mountain-like shape. Valley folds are the opposite: the folding edge points inward, making a ‘V’ or valley-like shape.

Scoring is important; scoring helps you make straight folds. You can use the edge of a metal ruler for large pieces and the straight blade edge of a pair of scissors for smaller pieces. You can also use a dried-out fine-point pen, small embossing tool, or a needle tool provided that you place a cutting board or some other type of cushion underneath. If you’re extra careful, you can even use your craft knife to gently cut a score line.

Cones can be a pain; cone tips are hard to form to a point. But, you can reduce your stress levels by lightly making a series of scores from the tip of the cone out to the bottom edges. This will make the cone’s tip roll easier. You can also use toothpicks to press and roll cones against your fingers or palm.

For curves, you can wrap the part around a rod or dowel to curl it. For tighter curves, use a narrower rod. You can also place the part on a cushioned surface (your leg will work well), and slide a rod back and forth across the surface, slowly applying pressure. The paper will curl on its own.

Test the paper that you will be using. Some papers will easily and cleanly fold either vertically or horizontally with the grain of the paper. In these cases, you may be able to fold some pieces without having to score at all, saving you time.

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