The origin and creation of the pop-up card
What is a pop-up card?
In Vietnam one regularly comes across beautiful pop-up cards. It really is a tradition there, it is a true folk art.
Pop-up cards can be sent as a greeting card and when unfolded they are special creations. When opened, a 3D figure automatically unfolds, such as an animal, a vehicle or a famous building.
Each pop-up card is first created by a designer, after which he or she manually creates a test model. After a test model has been approved, the various shapes to be cut out are programmed in a computer. This computer controls a precision laser, which uses a very fine hot laser beam to burn the extremely fine details out of the different sheets of cardboard. Cutting this fine and detailed is only possible with a laser. A separate sheet of colored cardboard is often used for each shape. Hardly any colors are printed, by combining the different colors of cardboard a colorful whole is created. Once all the shapes have been cut separately, the card is assembled by hand using gluing machines. Ready to pleasantly surprise someone!
How are pop-up cards made?
It starts with an idea for a good pop-up card. This could be anything: a ship, a flower, an animal or a famous building.
Then you need a designer who can think three-dimensionally well. He needs a lot of experience with pop-up cards and makes a three-dimensional test with a special computer drawing program that he knows is technically feasible. This test can be adjusted and finally approved.
A programmer can then construct the flat cardboard parts. From the three-dimensional model, the various flat cardboard shapes to be cut are programmed by computer.
Cutting the cardboard with an advanced laser
With the aid of a computer-controlled laser, the flat cardboard parts are cut per color with the utmost precision by means of a delicate laser beam. Fine and detailed cutting is only possible with a laser. A separate sheet of colored cardboard is often used for each shape. Almost no colors are printed.
The pop-up is then sewn with thread on the inside of the card, after which the outside is glued on the inside.
The cards are checked piece by piece and then slid into a protective cellophane sleeve with an envelope. Ready for shipment. Ready to pleasantly surprise someone!
