Introduction: Pull Out Birthday Card
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About: My name is Thomas and I'm an architect, graphic designer and illustrator. I love designing and making new things, preferrably with a funny twist. Check out my website or socials to keep up with what Im working…
I always like to make my own birthday cards for friends and family, but this time I wanted something different. So I got the idea to make a pull out card. Let me show you how to make your own!
Step 1: What You Need
To make this card you should have the following items:
- a sheet of thick paper or cardboard that you can fold into card-size dimensions
- another piece of paper or cardboard for the slider, at least the same length as the card
- a printer that can print on thick paper could be useful (I used it to print the graphics)
- a knife to cut out the shapes, flaps etc.
- glue for paper/cardboard
- a sheet of thick paper or cardboard that you can fold into card-size dimensions
- another piece of paper or cardboard for the slider, at least the same length as the card
- a printer that can print on thick paper could be useful (I used it to print the graphics)
- a knife to cut out the shapes, flaps etc.
- glue for paper/cardboard
Step 2: How It Works
Because it was getting late when I made this, I didn't take that many pictures. But I made some schemes in SketchUp to show how this card works.
In the pictures you can see the card open, before it is glued. The slider moves through a gap between the flaps on the right and stays horizontal because of the T-shape. I rounded the corners on the T to make it easier to slide.
The window in the front should be a little smaller than the slider, so you never see the edges. The gap on the right should be a little bigger than the slider.
To make for a clean image on the front, you have to make sure the slider has the same color as the front, and that it has no decorations, otherwise you will see them move along with the slider. I just made it blue, and I left a clear strip in the front image without clouds.
Unless you really want your message to pop out, you have to make sure the background for your text also has the same color as the front. This also has to be a little bigger than the window, so you won't see any edges.
After you made all the pieces, the airplane (or car/boat/dinosaur/...) will be attached to the grey spot on the slider (see image). Make sure your airplane is bigger than the window, otherwise it can slide underneath the front part of the card.
In the pictures you can see the card open, before it is glued. The slider moves through a gap between the flaps on the right and stays horizontal because of the T-shape. I rounded the corners on the T to make it easier to slide.
The window in the front should be a little smaller than the slider, so you never see the edges. The gap on the right should be a little bigger than the slider.
To make for a clean image on the front, you have to make sure the slider has the same color as the front, and that it has no decorations, otherwise you will see them move along with the slider. I just made it blue, and I left a clear strip in the front image without clouds.
Unless you really want your message to pop out, you have to make sure the background for your text also has the same color as the front. This also has to be a little bigger than the window, so you won't see any edges.
After you made all the pieces, the airplane (or car/boat/dinosaur/...) will be attached to the grey spot on the slider (see image). Make sure your airplane is bigger than the window, otherwise it can slide underneath the front part of the card.
Step 3: How to Make
Here is a scheme to show which parts you will have to make. I didn't add any dimensions, because I used an odd-sized card and you can make it any size you want.
Make sure you have enough paper to make the flaps. If you want to put text on the back, remember to rotate it!
It is best to make the 'card' piece first and cut the window. Make sure everything lines up, and that you have enough space. Then make the slider so that it fits nicely inside, and is still easy to pull out.
To attach the airplane on the slider (after you glued the front) I used an extra piece of paper in between, to give it a tiny bit of added 'height' to make it slide easier. This can be especially useful when using thicker sheets of cardboard.
That's it! Let's see the result...
Make sure you have enough paper to make the flaps. If you want to put text on the back, remember to rotate it!
It is best to make the 'card' piece first and cut the window. Make sure everything lines up, and that you have enough space. Then make the slider so that it fits nicely inside, and is still easy to pull out.
To attach the airplane on the slider (after you glued the front) I used an extra piece of paper in between, to give it a tiny bit of added 'height' to make it slide easier. This can be especially useful when using thicker sheets of cardboard.
That's it! Let's see the result...
Step 4: The Finished Pull Out Birthday Card
After about 2 hours of drawing, scanning, coloring, printing, cutting and glueing I had this card. It requires some patient and precise cutting, but really isn't that difficult to make.
Of course you can make countless variations with cars, boats, trains, animals, etc. I hope you like it, and as always I'm very interested in your ideas and comments!
Of course you can make countless variations with cars, boats, trains, animals, etc. I hope you like it, and as always I'm very interested in your ideas and comments!