5 Elements of Great Popup Cards
Popup cards are so fun and impressive—but they can feel a little intimidating to make, especially if you’re new to cardmaking or paper crafting. Don’t worry, friend—I’ve got you! Here are five elements I think are key for crafters at any level to get great results when making popup cards.
1. The Paper
When it comes to popup cards, the weight and quality of the paper is key. This is the whole structure of your card—flimsy paper just won’t hold up.
I personally don’t like using standard 65 lb cardstock for popups. I recommend something in the 80–85 lb range.
💬 Unpopular opinion: I’m not usually a fan of textured cardstock. For most cards, I like a smooth finish—Lessebo is my fave. It’s an 83 lb (225 gsm) cover stock that’s high quality, though it doesn’t have as many color options as some other lines.
If you do love texture, Bazzill and Encore are great picks. Both are 80 lb (216 gsm) cover stock and come in a huge range of colors.
And if your card has a lot of layers or pieces, you might want to use an even heavier stock just for the card base—something around 100 lb (270 gsm).
2. The Cut
This one probably feels like a no-brainer, but clean cuts and score lines make a huge difference in how well your card fits together.
Make sure your blade is sharp and your cut settings are dialed in for your paper. Also—don’t forget your mat! A clean, sticky cutting mat helps keep your paper from sliding around and messing up your cuts.
3. The Adhesive
You’ll want a strong adhesive to keep your popup mechanisms in place—because let’s be real, if you made a popup card, you (and the recipient) are definitely going to open and close it like a hundred times just to see the magic happen.
I usually use glue for most projects—it’s more forgiving if you need to wiggle something into place. My go-to is Bearly Art Craft Glue. It’s water-based, which means it takes a little longer to set. If you don’t wait long enough, your pieces might come apart… and then you’re adding more glue… and things start getting soggy (ask me how I know). So if you use water-based glue—which is totally fine!—just be patient. I like to set something on top of the folded piece while it dries to help it stay put.
Another option is a solvent-based glue like Beacon 3-in-1. It dries faster and won’t warp your paper, though it does have a bit of a smell. If you think you’re about to become a popup card-making machine, it might be worth a try!
4. The Score
A nice, crisp score is key to smooth movement. Use a bone folder, plastic scraper, credit card, or even the edge of a pen or pencil to crease your folds — in both directions. This helps the mechanism fold and unfold smoothly.
5. The Alignment
This one might seem super obvious, but if your alignment is off, your popup just won’t… pop.
Use a ruler or protractor if your design has specific measurements or angles. For most popup mechanisms, you’ll glue one side in place and then fold the card so the other end naturally falls into position. That’s one of my favorite parts—it kinda aligns itself. So satisfying!
Now that you know the five elements that make popup cards really work—are you ready to try one? They’re honestly easier to assemble than they look, and they pack such a magical punch.
Ready to pop into your first project?
Here are two of my favorite popup card designs to help you get started:
❤️ “Home is Where You Are” Popup Cottage
This cozy little cottage is full of heart—literally! With sweet heart-themed details and a homey vibe, it’s perfect for housewarmings, anniversaries, or just because. It’s one of those designs that says “I love you” and “I made this myself!”
👉 Check out the Cottage Card on Etsy
🍕 Heart-Shaped Pizza Popup with Punny Sentiments
You knead this one in your life! This heart-shaped pizza popup card comes with four cheesy, romantic pizza puns that are guaranteed to make your special someone smile. Great for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, or just surprising your pizza-loving partner.
👉 See the Pizza Card on Etsy