Essential supplies for Paper Craft - D.I.Y
- Célyne C.
- Jan 6, 2021
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 18, 2021
Having a hobby often means spending money. And when it comes to money, it can quickly become a break forcing you to give up your passion too soon. In this article, you will see that your passion for Paper Craft, is not requiring a lot. Only a few essential supplies and you're ready to go!
Social networks and especially YouTube, are sources of unlimited ideas. But it also pushes us to buy more supplies than necessary. And surrounded by all these treasures it can be a break for creativity as well. We don't know how to use them ... Afraid to use them and therefore not to have them afterwards... Overwhelmed by the required technique... Forgetting about the supplies bought 2 months ago because they are at the bottom of the drawer ... But you can be sure that we are all the same - it is the burden of a creative person.
On this blog, you will find Paper Craft D.I.Y of all kinds. But I promise to keep it simple in supplies. If you'll find a list of supplies at the start of each D.I.Y. Here, I like to make a list of the basic supplies you will always need at home. In this way, you will be ready at any time to start creating despite the money left in your wallet.
Crafting mat
If the crafting mat isn't the first thing you think about, it will quickly become a must-have. Whether you work on a desk dedicated to your hobby or on your kitchen table, this mat will be your best friend. Protects your table. Helps with sizing. Provides more stability. Easy to clean. Professional look ... Long is the list of good points for a crafting mat.
On the market, you will find many options: small or large. Self-healing cutting mat. Blue, green, pink ... Plastic, metal or even glass. The choice is yours.
But for me, I found the most practical a glass-mat. If I choose to have a transparent one, you can find one with dimensions. The glass support allows to cut, glue, mix paint and more without any damage ... And after a quick cleaning, it will be like brand new.
Paper
Obviously, for Paper Craft D.I.Y, you need paper. But if I like to clarify it, it's because the simple paper of your printer is not good enough.
To find out if a paper is thick enough, there is an indication called grammage and expressed in g/m2. For example, a paper for your printer is approximately 90g/m2. And it's to thin. In opposite, a paper is considered to be really thick like cardboard from 300g/m2.
For Paper Craft, we need a paper with a grammage between 150g/m2 and 220g/m2. The best is a paper of 180g/m2 or 200g/m2. Below this range, it will be too thin and above, it will be too thick. In either case, it will be difficult to work with ... the paper tears or breaks too easily.
However, it is necessary to have a few sheets of any type of grammage depending on what you like to create ...
Finally, and next to the grammage, in terms of paper, you will find all kinds of colours, size or structured papers (Smooth, linen, handmade ...). But also design paper.
Regarding the size, I would recommend buying at least an A4 format.
My favourites: - DCP Clairfontiane (Artwork structure) - Vaessen Florence paper (Colored paper) - Craftemotions LinnenKarton (Structured paper) - Lidl (Colored paper + different grammage) - Action/Scrapbooking paper (Designed paper)
Pen, pencil, eraser and ruler
If you do not have at least one pen, pencil and eraser in your house then run to the nearest store. Stationery supplies are always needed in a creative journey as minimalist as it can be.
Pencil and eraser to doodle and draft. Black pen, for example, is the best of the best for contouring. In Paper Craft, you will always start to draw your idea.
Cutting tools
Cutting tools are the most important after paper and pencil.
From the most basic ones, with Scissors to more specific tools massicot, here I will tell you everything about it.
Scissors: Mostly of two types. One would be with long blades to cut large pieces of paper without going to details. Another one will be small and precise, preferably with titanium blades (important to remain without glue with sticky paper). It will cut out details and very small pieces of paper.
Cutter knife: Not everyone likes working with a cutter knife. Me first. You must be sure of your hand. But it works with precision. To remove a very small part in the middle of a drawing, there is nothing better.
Massicot and/or guillotine: If my preference is for massicot, this item is optional. Practical and time-saving, it is very useful to cut a long piece straight.
Glueing tools
Glueing tools are the last basic supplies you'll need for Paper Craft. Now that you have your paper, drawn on it and cut out pieces, you need to assemble them strongly together. And so you will need glue. This section is a little more greedy in the budget because you must have at least one of each article. But once you have your stock, it will allow you more creativity.
Tacky glue or liquid glue: Tacky glue is for me The Glue. Acid-free, not too liquid, for all uses, solid and drying not too fast but always fast enough.
Hot glue gun: Difficult to find the perfect one. But still, you must have one. The glue gun allows to weld strongly. And is effective when liquid glue or double-sided tapes are not. When working with large pieces and volume, it is almost obligatory to use hot glue.
Double-sided tape: Some people prefer double-sided tape over liquid glue. You have to try both and see what works best for you. For me, I like the two and I combine them regularly. Depending on the type of paper, either one will be better. Or sometimes I like to use them together to ensure more reliability over time.
3D foam tape or glue dots and more: Even if I like to say that these items are options, I know that I always like to have one of each in my stash. Adding a 3D dimension to your creations, it allows you to build on the layer and the dimensional aspect.
Now that you are well supplied, I can't wait to see you on one of the D.I.Y!!
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