Love is in the air! Or something like that... We created a whole bunch of Valentine's Day Cards and added LEDs to each one, that's right... Paper Circuits Valentine's Cards!

We're huge fans of paper circuits, and while you can probably make these cards using copper foil tape, we highly recommend using our conductive Maker Tape. It's conductive on both sides, and all the way through, including the adhesive, so you can overlap it, fold it, and do things that copper tape just can't stand up to.

We're also using 10mm "Jumbo" LEDs for these cards. You can use 5mm but they just don't have the impact of the larger 10mm LEDs. (You might notice we do not use resistors in these circuits... That's because the LEDs we use have built-in resistors. No need to add an extra component to these circuits. We've got it covered.)

If you like our projects and want to see more of what we get up to each week please follow us on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube.

Supplies

Brown Dog Gadgets does in fact sell kits and supplies, but you don't need to buy anything from us to make this project. Though if you do it does help support us in creating new projects and teacher resources.

PDF Templates (Included!)
Paper (Heavy Cardstock Recommended!)
10mm Jumbo LEDs
Maker Tape (1/4" Wide)
CR2032 Battery

Note: If you plan to make a whole bunch of cards consider a Paper Circuits Kit.

Step 1: Print the Card

Print out the PDF so your card is double sided. (We've provided a bunch of different templates, so choose one you like!)
We recommend printing the card on a heavier paper like cardstock.
If you feel like coloring or doing your own decorating there's also a black & white version of each you can use.
If you have problems printing double-sided you can always print on two pieces of paper and glue them together, or just use the inside with the circuit as a guide and freehand the circuit.

Step 2: Assemble Materials

Beside the card, LED, Maker Tape, and battery, you'll need some scissors and a safety pin.
The scissors will be used to cut the Maker Tape. It's a strong nylon tape that you can't just rip with your bare hands, so you need to cut it. It does have a backing so you can cut a bunch of strips and hand them out to others who are also making cards.
The safety pin will be used to pole holes for the LED legs to go through.

Step 3: Poke Holes for LED

Use the safety pin to poke holes through the front of the card. (If you don't have a safety pin an open paper clip can also work.)
Check the inside of the card. If things don't line up perfectly, that's okay.
Make note of the polarity of the LED. The longer leg is positive, and the shorter leg is negative.

Step 4: Insert LED

Insert the LED legs through the front of the card.
Push it in until it's flush against the surface of the paper.

Step 5: Bend LED Legs

On the inside of the card, bend the LED legs down so they are flat against the surface of the paper.
Make sure the longer one is on the positive side. (It's marked with a + plus sign.)

Step 6: Add Negative Side Tape

Add a strip of Maker Tape that goes over the negative LED leg and covers about half of the illustration of the battery.

Step 7: Add Tape Loop

Typically paper circuits using copper foil tape use some sort of folded over corner with a binder clip to hold the battery in place, but with Maker Tape, we don't need to do that.
We use a "tape loop" which is just a small piece of Maker Tape rolled into a loop, and stuck down to the negative side of the circuit.
The great thing about Maker Tape (besides being conductive) is that you can stick a battery right to it, and you can easily remove and replace the battery if you need to.

Step 8: Add the Battery

Once you've got your tape loop in place stick the battery to it, negative side down.
Hey, we've completed the negative side of the circuit!
Did you stick your battery down the wrong way? No big deal, just peel it off the tape and flip it over.

Step 9: Add Positive Side Tape

Stick a piece of Maker Tape on top of the battery and run it to the side.
Add another piece overlapping it and then running to the positive LED leg.
Note: If you are a Certified Tape Master you can use a single piece of tape and the "Right Angle Method" to fold the tape over and change direction.
If you ever have a piece of Maker Tape that is too short, just add another piece and overlap it. It will conduct just fine.
While this circuit does not have an "on/off" switch, you can easily turn it off by just peeling the piece of tape off the top of the battery, or by just pulling the battery up and away from the tape loop. Either will "break" the circuit but still allow you to stick it back together to turn it on again.

Step 10: Enjoy Your Card!

Once you've got the hang of making a paper circuits card it's pretty easy, and you can start designing your own.
You don't even have to design a special card, and using these techniques and materials you can easily add some LEDs to any card!
And remember... we love you!

Introduction: Paper Circuits Valentine's Cards