Folding paper with a bone folder ensures crisp, professional, and lasting creases for all your paper crafting projects. It’s a simple technique that elevates the quality of any fold.
Understanding the Bone Folder
A bone folder is a classic tool, traditionally made from bone (though modern versions can be made from plastic or Teflon), used in various paper crafts. Its primary purpose is to create sharp, clean creases and to burnish (rub smooth) paper, ensuring folds lie flat and hold their shape permanently.
Why Use a Bone Folder?
Using a bone folder offers several advantages over folding paper by hand:
- Precision: Achieves perfectly straight and even folds.
- Sharpness: Creates incredibly crisp creases that resist unfolding.
- Durability: Helps break down the paper fibers along the fold line, making the crease more permanent and less prone to cracking, especially on thicker cardstock.
- Professional Finish: Gives your projects a polished and refined look.
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Crisp Folds | Creates sharp, defined creases that hold their shape. |
| Increased Durability | Prevents paper fibers from cracking, especially with thicker materials. |
| Professional Finish | Ensures a neat, clean, and polished appearance for your projects. |
| Efficiency | Speeds up the creasing process, especially for multiple folds. |
Step-by-Step Guide to Folding Paper with a Bone Folder
Mastering the use of a bone folder is straightforward. Follow these steps for perfect folds every time:
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Prepare Your Work Surface:
- Ensure you have a clean, flat, and sturdy surface. A self-healing cutting mat is ideal as it provides a slight give that helps with creasing without damaging your table.
- Make sure your hands are clean to avoid transferring oils or dirt to the paper.
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Mark Your Fold Line (Optional but Recommended):
- If precision is crucial, use a ruler and a scoring tool (or the dull edge of your bone folder) to lightly score a line where you intend to fold. This provides a guide.
- For simpler folds, you can visually align your paper.
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Initiate the Fold:
- Gently bring the two edges of the paper together along your desired fold line.
- Press down lightly with your fingers to create a preliminary, soft crease. As you do this, you'll notice that the fold will nicely appear right on that line, making it ready for the bone folder.
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Crease with the Bone Folder:
- Once you have this preliminary fold, take your bone folder.
- Place the edge of the bone folder directly onto the soft crease you just created.
- Apply firm, even pressure as you run the bone folder along the entire length of the fold. You can start from the center and work outwards to each end, or from one end to the other.
- Make one or two passes, ensuring consistent pressure. The goal is to compress the paper fibers along the fold, making it sharp and permanent.
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Burnish (For Extra Flatness and Durability):
- After creasing, if you want an even flatter and more defined fold, use the flatter side of the bone folder (not the edge) to rub over the folded edge of the paper. This action, known as burnishing, further flattens the crease and smooths out any minor bumps.
Tips for Success
- Work with the Paper Grain: Paper has a "grain" similar to wood. Folding with the grain (parallel to the longer side) will result in a cleaner fold with less cracking. Folding against the grain might cause the paper fibers to tear slightly. You can usually determine the grain by gently bending the paper in both directions; it will bend more easily and smoothly in one direction.
- Use Consistent Pressure: Even pressure is key to a uniform and sharp fold. Too little pressure won't set the fold; too much might tear thinner papers.
- Clean Your Bone Folder: Keep your bone folder clean to avoid transferring any residue onto your paper.
- Practice: Like any skill, practice makes perfect. Start with scrap paper to get a feel for the pressure and technique.
Common Applications
Bone folders are indispensable tools in various crafts, including:
- Card Making: Creating crisp fold lines for greeting cards.
- Bookbinding: Forming sections for books and making durable covers.
- Origami: Achieving precise folds for complex designs.
- Scrapbooking: Folding paper elements and creating sturdy hinges.
- Box Making: Crafting sharp edges for custom boxes and enclosures.
By following these steps and tips, you'll be able to create perfectly folded paper items with a professional finish every time.
