Pepakura
What is Pepakura?
Paper models, also called card models, "pepakura" or papercraft, are models constructed mainly from sheets of heavy paper, paperboard, card stock, or foam.
This may be considered a broad category that contains origami and card modeling. Origami is the process of making a paper model by folding a single paper without using glue or cutting while the variation kirigami does. Card modeling is making scale models from sheets of cardstock on which the parts were printed, usually in full color. These pieces would be cut out, folded, scored and glued together. Pepakura is the art of combining these model types to build complex creations such as wearable suits of armor, life size characters, and accurate weapon models.
Sometimes the model pieces can be punched out. More frequently the printed parts must be cut out. Edges may be scored to aid folding. The parts are usually glued together with polyvinyl acetate glue ("white glue" "PVA"). In this kind of modeling the sections are usually pre-painted, so there is no need to paint the model after completion. Some enthusiasts may enhance the model by painting and detailing. Due to the nature of the paper medium, the model may be sealed with varnish or filled with Spray foam to last longer . Some enthusiasts also use paper crafts or perdurable to do life-sized props starting by making the craft, covering it with resin and painting them. Paper crafts can be used as references to do props with other materials too.
Tools Needed
110 weight cardstock $17 for 250 sheets
Exacto Knife $7.49
Bondo spreaders $4.50
Scotch Precision Ultra Edge Titatnium Non-Stick Scissors, 8" $12.99
Scotch Quick-Drying Tacky Glue, 2 Oz. $3.99
Dual Temp Mini Hot Glue Gun (Michaels w/ online coupon) ~$4.00
Mini hot glue sticks (use online coupon) ~$4.00
Respirator breather $31.97
1 roll Knitted Elastic 1" 50 yards -black $7.95
Magnets, ceramic block $2.50
Bondo Body Filler, 1 gallon $23.97
Fiberglass Resin, 1 qt $14.98
Fiberglass Matt/Tape
Buckram Cloth $3.99/yd
Dynatron 366 Mixing Board $10.96
Precision Glass Cutting Mat $18.78
50 - 1 Inch YKK Contoured Plastic Buckle
SE DD312 12-Piece Stainless Steel Wax Carvers $8.47
Dremel 4200-6/40 High Performance Rotary Tool with EZ Change, 47-Piece Kit $103.20
Dremel Rotary Flex Shaft 225 $30.98
Apoxie Sculpt 1 Lb. White $16.25
18" x 24" Self Healing Cutting Mat $16.99 (use coupon)