A USEFUL HANDMADE PROJECT
Make a Paper Pull-Tab Reveal Card
A sliding paper shutter reveals an abstract color through a window, making movement part of the card.
Start with your materials ↓
WHAT TO GATHER
Your starting kit.
- Plain paper or cardstock suited to the folds described below
- A ruler, pencil, and scissors
- Paper glue and scrap paper for protecting the work surface
- A blunt folding tool for scored creases
STEP 01
Measure and prepare
Cut matching 100 by 150 mm backing and front cards. Cut a 40 mm square window in the front and an 80 by 25 mm pull strip.
STEP 02
Lay out the construction
Place a colored paper square on the backing behind the window. Glue the pull strip to the back of a 55 mm square paper shutter, extending to the right.
STEP 03
Join and shape
Add narrow spacer rails above and below the shutter path and attach the front only to those rails. Leave the right edge open so the shutter slides out to reveal the color.
STEP 04
Check the result
Dry-fit the movement before gluing and keep adhesive outside the shutter path. Let glued joints dry according to the adhesive instructions. Compare the finished shape with its intended use: moving parts should move freely, open pockets should remain open, and supporting folds should sit level. Trim only a little at a time if a paper edge catches.
STEP 05
Finish and keep
Remove temporary pencil guides with a clean eraser where the paper allows it. Store the finished piece somewhere dry and avoid putting pressure on raised or rolled details. Keep your first scrap-paper version nearby if you want to change the dimensions next time.
Before you begin.
Can I change the paper size?
Yes. Make a scrap version first and keep the same fold sequence. Where a piece wraps another object, measure the actual object and add space for its thickness instead of enlarging only one dimension.
What should I check before beginning?
Dry-fit the movement before gluing and keep adhesive outside the shutter path.
Original editorial project guidance. Images are AI-generated concepts, not photographs of tested finished projects. Practice on inexpensive materials and follow tool and material instructions. Sources & approach.
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