A paper wallet is folded from one sheet of ordinary printer paper, with no cutting, glue or tape. Rob from Rob's World designed this one himself. It folds into a bifold wallet with a long pocket for bills and a smaller one in front for a couple of cards. It is a fun project to fold with kids, a clever way to give cash as a gift, and sturdier than you would expect from a sheet of copy paper.
How to make a paper wallet: the short version
- Fold a letter sheet in half, then fold the top and bottom edges to the center.
- Fold the bottom past its edge and lock it to make the front pocket.
- Tuck the top edge into that pocket and fold the free edge down.
- Fold each end in, fold the corners like a paper airplane and tuck the tabs back.
- Fold the whole thing in half.
Choosing paper
Standard 8.5 by 11 inch letter paper is the size Rob designed it for, and A4 works the same. Bright colored copy paper looks the most like a real wallet. For a two-tone wallet that lasts longer, stack two sheets of different colors and fold them as one. The bottom sheet's color ends up on the outside. Rob suggests trying a single sheet first, because two sheets are harder to crease.
Skip cardstock for the first try. It cracks along the many folds at the ends. Thin wrapping paper is too soft to hold a card.
Sharp creases make the difference
Almost every problem with an origami wallet comes from soft creases. Run your fingernail, or a bone folder, along every fold. Line edges up carefully before you press. If the early folds are off by a little, the pockets end up crooked and the ends will not tuck neatly.
Making it last
The finished wallet holds together on its own. If the end tabs bother you, Rob says a tiny piece of clear tape on each one keeps it from ever coming apart. A strip of clear packing tape along the spine helps if it will live in a back pocket.
Ideas for your paper wallet
- Cash gift. Fold one from birthday or Christmas paper and tuck the bills inside.
- Gift card holder. The front pocket fits two cards.
- Play money. Grandkids love a wallet for a pretend shop.
- Travel. Keep foreign coins or receipts in a separate wallet.
Common problems
- The pocket will not stay closed. The lock fold at the bottom was not creased hard enough. Crease it again from both sides.
- The ends bulge. Fold the sides in no wider than your pinky.
- It tears at the corners. The paper is too thin or too stiff. Try regular 20 lb copy paper.
More paper folding
New to folding? Start with origami basics. For gift giving, try folding money into a heart or a paper envelope. Then fold an origami box or an origami bookmark.
