The quality of a finished origami model depends not only on the design and technique of the model itself, but also greatly on the paper you use. Especially for beginners, not knowing which paper to choose can often become a stumbling block.
In this article, we will introduce 10 representative types of paper suitable for origami as a basic guide to choosing paper.
Basic Knowledge About Paper
Basic knowledge about paper is explained in detail in the article below, so if you would like to understand paper more deeply, please read it as well.
Types of Paper That Are Easy to Use for Origami: The 10 Best Papers
From here, we will introduce papers suitable for origami that Kamiori-Studio also frequently uses in actual model creation.
1. Origami Paper
This is the most popular paper for origami: the standard origami paper often called “educational origami” in Japan and “kami” overseas.
The most common size is 15 cm square, but 25 cm and 35 cm square sheets are also available. It is thin, easy to fold, and surprisingly strong despite being extremely thin at about 0.07 mm thick, roughly 50 kg paper weight. Traditionally, it has color on one side and white on the back, but today there are many varieties, including double-sided color paper and paper with Japanese patterns.
Good points:
- Easy to crease and holds creases well.
- Inexpensive and easy to use for practice.
- Because the paper itself is thin, it works well for detailed folds.
Points to note:
- With inexpensive paper, the color coating may rub off and make the paper dirty after repeated folding.
- Because the paper is thin, it may not be strong enough for three-dimensional boxes or models you want to preserve for a long time.
- [[amazon url="https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Toyo+Origami+50+Color+Origami+15cm+60+sheets" title="Toyo Origami 50 Color Origami 15cm 60 Sheets" image="https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61nZm7tgqQL._AC_SX679_.jpg"]]
Suitable models:
It can be used widely, from basic models such as cranes and shuriken to intermediate-level models that are not too complex.
Larger sizes such as 24 cm or 35 cm are also recommended for practicing advanced models.
2. Kraft Paper
Kraft paper is the brown paper used for packaging materials. It refers to brown paper before it is bleached and processed into white paper. It is characterized by its rustic texture and high strength, and it is widely used for crafts, wrapping, and many other purposes.
For origami, it is helpful to think of kraft paper as a thicker paper of 70 kg or more, because it has firmness and body. If you want to cut out large sheets such as 90 cm squares, you can buy it in rolls and cut it yourself.
Good points:
- Extremely strong and resistant to tearing. Because it has excellent sturdiness and durability, folded models can stand firmly and are less likely to lose their shape.
- Kraft paper in hatron-ban size, which is larger than the standard shiroku-ban size, is commercially available and suitable for folding large models.
- Colored kraft paper is available in 15 cm, 25 cm, 35 cm, and 50 cm square sizes, making it ideal when you want different colors on both sides.
Points to note:
- Because it is thick and stiff, it is not suitable for detailed folds or complex steps.
- Large sheets of kraft paper come in only a limited number of colors, mainly brown and white.
Suitable models:
- Models whose shape you want to hold firmly, such as folded boxes, large animal models, and three-dimensional geometric forms.
- Prototypes for large models.
3. First Vintage
Although the name may sound subdued at first, First Vintage is a fancy paper that is also popular among origami enthusiasts. It is based on kraft paper and is characterized by vintage-style colors and textures that look gently worn in.
You can think of it as colored kraft paper, available in soft and stylish tones. Its surface feels slightly rough and natural, and its somewhat nostalgic atmosphere is part of its appeal.
Good points:
- Unique color variations. Instead of standard primary colors such as red, blue, and yellow, it offers many muted tones such as turquoise, olive, and cashmere. This gives finished models a refined impression. Because the paper itself has character, simply folding with this paper creates a high-quality look.
- Because it is based on kraft paper, it is strong and relatively easy to crease.
Points to note:
- It is often slightly thicker than standard origami paper. For example, 56 kg paper is around 0.10 mm thick, so creases need to be made firmly, and it is not very suitable for complex collapses.
- It is more expensive than ordinary origami paper.
Suitable models:
- Display pieces and models for appreciation. Even a folded crane takes on a different atmosphere when folded from First Vintage.
- Paper accessories such as envelopes and cards.
- Unit origami parts and origami flowers. Simple folds that make use of the paper’s color and texture can produce beautiful results.
4. Tant Paper
If you like origami, you have probably heard of “Tant” at least once. It is a colored paper made by Hokuetsu Corporation and is also sold in origami sizes.
It comes in more than 200 colors, and because the paper fibers themselves are dyed, the color is less likely to crack when creased.
Both sides are the same color, and at about 0.118 mm thick, roughly equivalent to around 70 kg paper weight in shiroku-ban conversion, it is thicker and firmer than standard origami paper.
Good points:
- Available in a rich and vivid color range.
- Origami-sized sheets are easy to buy on Amazon and similar shops.
- Although slightly thick, it is also soft and easy to crease. When folded, it has a pleasant springiness and produces sturdy models.
Points to note:
- Because it is thick, folding requires a little more force.
- In complex steps, areas where crease lines concentrate may sometimes tear.
- Because both sides are the same color, it is not suitable for models that use inside-out color changes.
Suitable models:
- Display pieces and models for appreciation.
- Unit origami such as kusudama. It tends to assemble firmly and produce durable models.
5. Mermaid Paper
Mermaid paper has a romantic name. As the name suggests, it is a high-quality fancy paper characterized by an embossed surface pattern that evokes waves like those associated with mermaids.
It has soft, felt-like texture when touched, and when light hits it, elegant shadows like ripples appear on the surface.
It comes in a wide variety of colors, from white and pastels to subdued tones, and it is also available in a broad range of thicknesses from 70 kg to 210 kg in shiroku-ban paper weight.
Good points:
- The paper itself is beautiful, so simply folding it gives the model a refined impression.
- Despite its thickness, it feels soft to the touch and has moderate body, making it easy to fold.
- The paper is strong and holds its shape well after folding.
- Because it comes in many colors, you can choose a color that suits the model.
Points to note:
- Because of the embossed pattern, fine crease lines can sometimes be slightly difficult to see, as the shadows of the texture may hide them.
- Heavier weights are not suitable for complex folds.
- It is relatively expensive.
Suitable models:
- Gift models and display pieces. For example, origami roses and kusudama look especially attractive when made from this paper. Since this paper quality is also used for business cards and greeting cards, it works well for origami card cases, envelopes, and boxes.
- Object-style works such as origami lampshades. Because the paper has thickness and body, larger models can become sturdy finished pieces.
Plant
Plant v1.5
6. Karape, or t-Karape
Karape is an ultra-thin colored wrapping paper, known in the origami community as a representative thin paper.
Its official name is t-Karape. Originally released as thin wrapping tissue, it has become useful to origami enthusiasts. Its defining feature is thinness: its paper weight is about 11.3 kg in kiku-ban, and it is as thin and flimsy as tissue paper.
However, because one side is lightly coated with wax through a special process, it has some crispness and is easier to fold than its thinness might suggest.
It is often used as a backing material, for example by attaching it to aluminum foil or washi with spray glue to make homemade composite paper. For beginners, it is usually easier to use in combination with another material than to fold by itself.
Good points:
- Because it is extremely thin, it allows for many layers of folding and can also be laminated with other papers as backing material. Even complex origami models with dozens of overlapping layers can finish cleanly when folded with Karape.
- Available in many colors: 20 colors.
Points to note:
- Because it is thin, folding it neatly by itself is difficult. Although it has some crispness, it is still thin paper, so rough handling can wrinkle or tear it. Creases are easy to make, but because the paper is very light and tends to shift, delicate handling is required.
Suitable models:
Highly complex models and models with many folds, such as insects and human figures. Since it is as thin as tissue paper, it can withstand folds used to express fine antennae. It can also be used as a material for homemade tissue-foil paper made from Karape and foil. Tissue-foil paper is sometimes handled like clay to express human figures.
7. Tracing Paper and Glassine Paper
Translucent thin papers called tracing paper or glassine paper can also be used for origami. They are characterized by a translucent quality that gently lets light through. They are very thin and smooth, and when held in the hand they feel impressively light.
While standard origami paper is about 0.07 mm thick, glassine paper is only about 0.03 mm, almost half as thin.
Good points:
- Although thin, it has crispness, so it takes firm creases.
- Because it is translucent, folded models can look as beautiful as stained glass. With colored glassine paper, overlapping areas blend colors, creating depth and subtle nuance in the model.
Points to note:
- Because it is thin and smooth, it may shift while you are folding. Creases themselves do form, but on dark-colored paper they can sometimes be hard to see.
- Colors may fade if exposed to direct sunlight for a long time.
- Some tracing papers may crack along crease lines when folded back.
Suitable models:
Models that look good when held up to light. For example, lampshades and window decorations folded from glassine paper are very beautiful when they transmit light. If combined with kirigami and attached to a window, they can also become stylish translucent decorations. In addition, the paper can be used not only for folding but also for wrapping and collage, so even leftover pieces can be enjoyed without waste. Translucent cranes and geometric ornaments are also popular.
Wine Glass
Wine Glass v1.1
Hi-Pika E2F
Hi-Pika E2F is an aluminum-vapor-deposited paper characterized by an elegant matte shine. It is a TAKEO paper made by vacuum-depositing 99.9% high-purity aluminum. The front side comes in gold or silver, while the back side is white.
Although it is a metallic paper, it does not reflect light as sharply as a mirror-like foil paper. Its appeal lies in its calm, refined sheen, with a slightly Japanese-paper-like atmosphere. For origami, the thinner weights are generally easier to handle.
Good points:
- The metallic texture is beautiful and gives models a special, decorative presence simply by folding.
- The gold and silver colors look refined, making the paper well suited to celebratory and ornamental models.
- Because the back side is white, it works well for models that make use of front-and-back color contrast, such as inside-out designs.
- If you choose a thinner weight, it can be folded with a feeling relatively close to standard origami paper.
Points to note:
- Because the surface is aluminum-vapor-deposited, scratches and crease marks can become noticeable if the paper is rubbed strongly or refolded many times.
- In complex models or detailed folding sequences, the metallic surface may wrinkle easily.
- Because the paper has a glossy surface, strong reflections may appear when photographing finished models.
- The paper can be affected by changes in temperature and humidity, so storage and the folding environment require some care.
Suitable models:
- Festive cranes, New Year decorations, Christmas ornaments, and other models where you want decorative effect.
- Insects, robots, dragons, and other models that benefit from a metallic look.
- Boxes, stars, geometric ornaments, and other models where simple folds can show off the paper’s shine.
Washi Papers: Ganpi Paper, Mitsumata Paper, and Chiyogami
Finally, let us look at traditional Japanese washi. Although “washi” includes many types depending on the plant fibers used as raw material, the papers often discussed in origami include ganpi paper and mitsumata paper. Chiyogami, printed with vivid Japanese patterns, is also included in the washi family.
9. Ganpi Paper
Ganpi is a high-quality washi made from a plant of the Thymelaeaceae family. It is characterized by dense fibers, a smooth paper surface, and remarkable toughness despite being thin.
It is strong enough to resist tearing even when wet, and it is also a beautiful paper with a glossy finish.
It is thin, strong, and smooth, and is said to be one of the easiest papers to fold in the origami world. It is also relatively expensive. However, many advanced origami folders use it because its folding quality is worth the price.
Dyed colored ganpi paper is also commercially available and can be purchased at washi specialty stores such as Ozu Washi.
10. Mitsumata Paper
Mitsumata paper is a washi made from the mitsumata plant, one of the three major raw materials for washi along with ganpi and kozo.
Because its fibers are slightly thicker and softer than ganpi, the paper quality feels moist, smooth, and warm.
It also has enough thinness and strength, making it suitable for origami. When folding, it feels slightly soft, with a moist folding sensation rather than the slick smoothness of ganpi paper. It is expensive, but the gentle texture unique to washi gives models a distinctive presence. The exact folding feel depends on how each washi sheet is made.
11. Chiyogami
Chiyogami is Japanese-patterned origami paper made by color-printing traditional motifs onto washi.
It is a square patterned washi that has continued since the Edo period and has been used for origami, paper doll costumes, decorative wrapping for gifts, and more.
Because the material is washi, the paper has both body and softness, along with a distinctive texture. Its surface is printed with vivid patterns, making the finished model look very vibrant and decorative.
Today, patterned origami made from Western-style paper is sometimes also called chiyogami, but originally the term referred to richly patterned washi.
Good points for washi in general:
- Thin and strong. Washi is made from long plant fibers and has the ideal origami qualities of being thin and strong. It has fabric-like flexibility, resists tearing even when creased, and can withstand complex models that require repeated folding. In some cases, wet-folding, in which the paper is dampened and shaped, is also possible, making it suitable for creating beautiful curves.
- Texture and character unique to washi. The texture and character of washi give models depth. It enhances the artistic quality not only of Japanese motifs but also of Western designs.
Points to note for washi in general:
- Handmade washi can vary considerably in thickness and texture depending on the production lot and region.
- Washi that is not made specifically for origami may be large in size or uneven in thickness. Large sheets of washi are often sold as large rectangles with uncut deckled edges, so you need to cut them yourself.
- It is relatively expensive.
- Its condition is affected by humidity. Washi tends to expand and contract with humidity, so it may feel softer in humid seasons and crisp or stiff in dry conditions.
Suitable models:
- Ultra-thin washi such as ganpi and mitsumata: highly complex insect models, dragons, and similar subjects.
- Chiyogami: traditional folded cranes and seasonal decorations, such as Hina dolls for Hinamatsuri and Tanabata ornaments.
The origami experience changes completely depending on the thickness and type of paper. It may feel difficult at first, but thinking “this paper might suit this model” is also one of the pleasures of origami.
While checking references and information from paper specialty stores, try out many different papers and find your own favorite sheet.
