What if a flat sheet of material could fold itself into a table, a phone grip or a stool, with no bolts and no glue? That is the idea behind kirigami, and one maker just showed how 3D printing makes it practical.
Origami, but with scissors
You probably know origami, the art of folding a single sheet of paper. Kirigami adds one twist: you are allowed to cut. The word means "cut paper" in Japanese, and those cuts matter. A few well-placed slits let a flat shape open up, expand and lock into forms that folding alone cannot reach. The Hackaday write-up traces the idea back to an old Japanese book about folding cranes, including a clever design where one cut sheet becomes a big crane with a small one on its back.
Where the 3D printer comes in
The maker in this project, Matthew Lim, used kirigami thinking to design objects that switch between a flat layout and a useful 3D shape. To test ideas, he used a laser cutter for the flat parts and an FDM 3D printer for the hinges and connectors. Small prototypes came first, then bigger versions, until he built a full-size side table from plywood panels with printed hinges. The best part is that the table can change into different shapes and then lock into its new position.
How to try it at home
You do not need a workshop to experiment. Start with a sheet of paper or card stock and make a few parallel cuts, then fold and see how the shape pops up. Once you like a pattern, sketch it with flat panels and think about where the joints should be. Print a few simple hinges in PETG or PLA, and test how far they bend before they stress. Keep hinge thickness consistent, print with the layers running along the hinge rather than across it, and expect to iterate a couple of times.
Try it on your printer
Ready to print your first pop-up project? Browse beginner-friendly models, filament picks and printing tips at Flarelab, and turn a flat idea into something you can actually use.
Frequently asked questions
What is kirigami?
Kirigami is a variation of origami that allows cutting the paper as well as folding it. Those cuts open up many more shapes than folding alone can make.
How does 3D printing fit into kirigami designs?
A 3D printer is great for making small custom hinges and connectors. In this project, printed hinges join flat panels so a design can switch between flat and standing shapes.
Do I need a laser cutter to try this?
No. A laser cutter is handy for cutting panels, but you can start with paper, card stock or thin sheets cut by hand, then print simple hinges on any FDM printer.
What material should I print hinges in?
PETG or PLA works for small test pieces. For hinges that flex a lot, PETG or TPU is usually more forgiving than brittle PLA.
Inspired by reporting from Hackaday. Rewritten by Flarelab for beginners.
