How to make an Iris Folded Card

Take your cardmaking skills to the next level with the Gemini Iris Folding Die and Stencil Sets from Crafter’s Companion.

Iris folding is a beautiful craft technique that gives the illusion of a camera shutter in a variety of different shapes and designs, using layers of folded paper pieces on top of each other. It’s a notoriously tricky technique, but with our easy step-by-step instructions, you can get creative with iris folds in no time!

Get started with our steps below. 

You will need:

• Scissors 
• Craft Tape
• Clear Tape
• Gemini Die Cutting and Embossing Machine
• Gemini Iris Folding Die & Stencil Set (We’ve used Party Time)
• Crafter’s Companion 6 x 1” Paper Pad (We’ve used the Party Time Paper Pad)
• Adhesive Foam Pads
• 1pc White Multi-Purpose Card measuring roughly 6 x 9”
• Crafters Companion The Scoremaster Scoring Board

Getting started

1. Take your white multi-purpose card and the metal balloon die from your set. Place the die on top of the card, securing it in place with your craft tape of choice and run this through your die cutting machine.
2. Remove the die-cut design from your machine and place it on top of the stencil included in your Iris Folding Set, securing it in place with craft tape. This has all the numbers already labelled on it, so you’ll know exactly where to put your folded paper. 
3. Take your 6 x 1” paper pieces and place these onto your scoring board. Score these lengthways, right down the middle so there is a clear and foldable line down the centre. Repeat this step with all paper pieces. 
4. Using a flat surface or a craft board, stick your card down with craft tape so it won’t move during the next steps. 
5. Take three thin pieces of your patterned paper and place these over the ribbons under the balloons. Attach them in place with clear tape. You can stick these right over the top of the designs, don’t worry about how they look as this will be the back of your card. 
6. Now you’re going to use your folded paper pieces from earlier! Take each piece individually and line them up against the lines on the stencil. Trim each piece into the correct size and stick down with your clear card. Again, this will be the back of your card, so don’t worry about how it looks now.
7. Repeat this process until all three balloons are filled. 
8. Remove your card from the flat surface or craft board and remove the card from the stencil. Take your scissors and trim the edges, snipping off any paper pieces that are over the edge.
9. Take the small dies from the pack and place these on top of coloured paper. Pass these through your die cutting machine and decorate the front of your card around the folded balloons. 
10. Using adhesive foam pads, stick your card to a larger base card to complete. We’ve used a piece of A4 white multi-purpose card folded in half and created a border with some smaller pieces.

Your Iris Folded card is now complete!

We’d love to see what you’ve created! Share with us on Social Media by using the hashtag #crafterscompanion, or follow and tag us on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok.