Here's how to make a pop up card in five simple steps

boy making a pop up card with coloured paper and sellotape
Make a pop up card with the kidsVacharapong Wongsalab / EyeEm - Getty Images


Pop up cards are fun to make and receive! Smiles are guaranteed when you open this type of homemade card, as they’re such a surprise.

Sending a pop up card is more thoughtful than a standard greetings card as it shows the recipient how much you care about them, by putting more time and effort into your design – and it's a great craft project to make with children, too.

The themes for a DIY pop up card are endless; you could use a cake for a birthday pop up, send flowers inside a thank you card, a heart for a Valentine's card, draw a cup of tea or cocktail on a Mother’s Day card and make pop up Christmas cards featuring seasonal icons like a Christmas pudding, a Christmas tree or robin.

If you’re looking for beginner’s papercrafting ideas or want to get more creative with your card-making skills, why not give pop up cards a go?

It’s a technique that will elevate your designs and what's more, pop up cards are a a great craft for kids. They're a fantastic way to get family members crafting together, making a lovely family activity that everyone can get involved with. There are so many easy designs perfect for an afternoon of crafting with kids. Just remember to oversee children while crafting, and cut out the card pieces with scissors before you start your crafting session.

Once you’ve learnt how to make an easy pop up card you can use your imagination to make fun handmade cards for every occasion. Don’t forget you’ll also need a handmade envelope to send it in and we have just the thing! Check out our step-by-step guide on how to make a handmade envelope.

Pop up cards are quick and easy to make. Start by making a few simple cuts into a piece of card, then can create a tab (or multiple tabs) that you push forward and decorate.

Make it 3D by sticking a cut-out image on it – this could either be your own drawing, using collage (a great way to use up scrap pieces of paper), or you can colour in a printable template.

And that’s it! Knowing how to make a pop up card is satisfying and useful and your very first creation will have you grinning from ear to ear. Ready to give it a try? Follow our easy pop up card tutorial to make a simple step pop up greetings card.

How to make an easy pop up card with step-by-step photos

You will need:

How to make a pop up card in five steps

Step 1

Fold two pieces of card in half. One piece will be the inside section of the pop up and the other piece is the outside of your card so choose colours that suit your design. If the paper is bigger than you’d like, cut the card to size and then fold. Use A4 pieces of card to make a standard-sized card. This step-by-step cardmaking tutorial shows a square card that measures 15cm.

how to make an easy pop up card step 1 folding paper
Hearst Owned

Step 2

Take the inner piece of card. Make two parallel cuts that are around one inch (2.5cm) long through the folded side of the paper. The size of the cuts can differ depending on what scene you're creating. Measure with a ruler before cutting so that you identify where you would like your pop out to be placed on the card. You can stick to just one tab if you're a beginner, or use multiple tabs to create a scene along the width of your card.

how to make a pop up card in 5 steps cutting the fold
Hearst Owned

Step 3

To create a pop out, open the card and fold the tabs inwards towards you. Crease your tab (or tabs) along the centre so it's popping inwards, then fold the card closed over it. Open the card again and the tab should be ready to decorate.

how to make an easy pop up card in 5 steps
Hearst Owned

Step 4

Take your second piece of card – the outside. Apply the glue stick on the reverse of your first piece of card which has the flap popped out and attach it to the second piece. Make sure they match up and smooth them out so there are no wrinkles.

how to make a pop up greeting card
Hearst Owned

Step 5

It's now time to decorate your card, and this really is the fun bit where you can get creative! You can stick an image to the tab, or simply decorate the tab itself by adding glitter, ribbons, stars or words. Then write a lovely message to your recipient in the paper above or below the pop up.

how to make a mermaid pop up card for children
What theme will you choose for your pop up card?Momtaz Begum-Hossain - Hearst Owned

And there you have the basics of how to make a pop up card. You can get really creative and thoughtful, and think about who the card is for. If it's for a green-fingered friend, make it plant or flower-related, or animal and pet-lovers might like a dog or a cat. Or you can stick to simple themes, like gift boxes for birthdays or hearts for Valentine's.

Inspiration for your pop up cards

Need some inspiration to get started? We've got you covered with these 8 ideas for DIY pop up cards from brilliant crafters.

How to make a birthday pop up card

How to make a Valentine's pop up card

Fun pop up cards ideas for kids

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Clever new baby pop up card

Cute Easter pop up card idea

Welcome to your new home pop up card

Pop up card idea for teenagers

How to make a Christmas tree pop up card


Have you made a pop up card? Share your creations with us by tagging @primamag in your pictures on Instagram!

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