Templates for Die Cuts and Paper Models

It’s easy to make your own die cuts and templates for simple paper models.

Paper model directions can use lots of ink from your printer. If you want to make more than one model or customize the color, templates will allow you to trace them again and again. Also this method makes it easy to use paper that does not easily fit into the printer.

Die cuts are great for posters, projects, card making, and scrapbooking. For die cuts, follow the directions below with a template of your choice.

To create letter and number die cuts you can use a word program like WordPerfect. Type the words or numbers you’d like to create, then set to outline and edit the font to get the look you want. You may also want to try the bold, italic and font size functions. Print out your template and use as below.

What you will need: Printed model or die cut template, paper for transfer, scissors, stapler, and lots of staples. You might also want an exacto knife or box cutters to assist in cutting slits or difficult areas of the paper model. The glue will not be used in the actual production of the templates, but you’ll need it for the associated assembly of the model.

 

Step One: Roughly cut the pattern templates out, leaving at least a 1/4th inch border. Place them on the thick paper and staple around the edges. Do not glue at all. Do not staple in the template area, only on the borders, otherwise you will have staples in your die cut.

 

Step Two: Roughly cut the templates out again, this time with the paper underneath and staple any loose ends. If there are too few staples the template will slide and you will not get an accurate duplication.

 

Step Three: Cut out pieces as you normally would. Keep the template originals for reference and placement of fold lines.

 

Step Four: Either use your templates directly, or trace them onto other sheets of paper and save the templates for later use.