Quick answer
Start with the Crafter's Companion Template Library, which includes 30 ready-to-use templates and matching instructions for stepper cards, box designs, and pop-out cards. Follow the steps below to pick a project, prepare your materials, and assemble your card.
Why choose the Template Library over free online templates?
Free online templates often lack detailed instructions or consistent sizing. The Crafter's Companion Template Library provides professionally designed templates with step-by-step instructions, so you avoid guesswork and wasted materials. Each template is tested to work with standard paper sizes, giving you reliable results every time.
What you need before starting
You'll need cardstock or paper in your preferred colors, a craft knife or scissors, a scoring tool, and adhesive. The templates themselves are printed on sturdy paper, so you can trace them directly onto your cardstock. No special equipment is required beyond basic papercraft tools.
Step-by-step guide to using the Template Library
- Choose your template: Flip through the Template Library and select a design you'd like to make. Stepper cards are great for birthdays, box designs for gifts, and pop-out cards for special occasions. Remove the template from the book carefully to avoid tearing. Start with a simple stepper card if you're new to the library—it requires fewer folds and cuts.
- Trace the template onto cardstock: Place the template on your chosen cardstock and trace around it with a pencil. Use a light hand so the lines are visible but won't show on the finished card. For intricate shapes, secure the template with washi tape to prevent slipping. Double-check that the template is aligned with the cardstock grain to avoid warping after folding.
- Cut out the card shape: Use a craft knife and cutting mat for straight lines and sharp corners, or scissors for curved edges. Follow the traced lines precisely. If you're using a craft knife, cut in multiple light passes rather than one heavy pass to avoid tearing the paper. Test your cutting tool on scrap paper first to ensure it's sharp enough for clean edges.
- Score and fold along the guide lines: The template includes dashed lines indicating where to score and fold. Use a scoring tool and ruler to create crisp creases. Fold along each line firmly, then run your fingernail or a bone folder along the fold to set it. Score on the outside of the fold for mountain folds and the inside for valley folds—mixing them up will make the card lopsided.
- Assemble and decorate your card: Follow the included instructions to glue or tape the card together. Add embellishments like stickers, die cuts, or stamped images after assembly to avoid interfering with folds. Let the adhesive dry completely before handling. Use a quick-dry adhesive for small parts and a stronger glue for load-bearing sections like box bases.
Product facts
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Crafter's Companion - Template Library: The Crafter's Companion Template Library contains 30 ready-to-use templates with matching instructions for stepper cards, box designs, and pop-out cards. You get a variety of card styles in one collection, so you can try new techniques without buying separate templates for each project.
Crafter's Companion - Template Library