Yes! I've been using scrapbook paper for origami since at least 2005, and probably before that. I can't remember a time when I wasn't using it for boxes (Masu at least) and simple letterfolds or gift enclosures or card envelopes.
1) In my experience (in the USA), scrapbook paper comes in weights that I refer to as: a) letterpaper wt; b) light cardstock; c) medium cardstock; d) heavy cardstock; e) medium or heavy cardstock that is heavily coated, sometimes with foil or flocking, making it prone to breaking when folded and therefore unsuitable for folding. Also, f) I have also occasionally found duo scrapbook paper, but it is usually closer to the wt of the heavy cardstock, but not always. I have used that for boxes, but it is more prone to cracking when folded. One time (I never saw this again, anywhere) I found a big box (100 sheets, I think) of 12"x12" patterned, duo craft paper, at Costco. It was thin enough for relatively simple models, but the colors were dark and muddy. I used it for boxes mostly, and teaching --- The medium-to-heavy cardstock can be folded but it won't take much creasing or multi-layer folding without breaking. --- The light cardstock is suitable for models that don't require many layers of folding. I often use it for gift boxes (Masu, Box-in-a-Box, Robin Glynn's Gift Box...) It's also good for bowls, vases, etc, again not for many-layered models. --- The letterpaper-weight scrapbook paper, as I said before, is just a tad heavier than the 20lb letterpaper I use for my printer. My guess is that it's probably 24lb wt. Besides the 8.5x11" size, it also is available in 12" square pads, 8" square pads, and 6" square pads. I've seen it in 4"x6" pads also, but that is unusual. I can't recall ever finding it in a pad of all solid colors (maybe the smaller ones), always patterns (seasonal, holiday, floral, animals, etc, ad infinitum) and white on the back, BUT these pads usually include the occasional solid-color sheet in between the patterned ones, and sometimes there are quite a few of these. I pull these out to use for teaching. Many of the patterns are not "busy" patterns, sometimes they are watercolor patterns, for example, which are perfectly suitable for learning. The 12" squares are perfect for teaching in situations where you have to be in front of a classroom, makes your model easier to see. --- I have long prized the 8.5x11" letterpaper wt papers as they tend to not be extremely commonly available. I used to buy several at a time, at Michael's, when they were on sale, and I have a good stash of them still. Good thing, too, since Michael's stopped carrying Origami paper and they don't carry nearly as much scrapbook paper as they used to. Joanns also used to carry it. You can find these papers in this size in other craft stores or online stores. Hanko (hankodesigns.com), for example, sells pretty patterned paper in this size, but it's pricey. --- As to accuracy of the size of the paper, I find that the square scrapbook papers are often/usually not exactly square. I don't worry about the exactness of the dimensions so much as the "squareness". I rarely fold very complicated models or notably "unforgiving" models, so this has not been much problem for me. The letterpaper scrapbook papers (for me this is 8.5x11") are close enough to the printer paper size that I've never worried about this. I run them thru my printer and they never seem to be too big or too small. --- I use these letterpaper scrapbook papers for anything I would fold from regular printer paper. The 8.5x11" ones are obviously nice for envelopes & letterfolds. I also cut them to 8.5" squares and use them for boxes or anything for which I want a larger square and/or a slightly heavier paper (heavier than Kami, but not hugely so). When I teach the Masu or Rogin Glynn's Box, for example, I often give 8.5" square scrapbook paper to use, as it is larger and slightly heavier than Kami, and patterned; it just seems like the perfect paper for things like that. --- In my experience, when scrapbook paper is suggested for learning a model, they probably mean the letterpaper-weight scrapbook paper. --- The one caveat to keep in mind with scrapbook papers is that they tend to be unlabeled or sometimes mislabeled as to weight. Very frustrating, but such is life. I only buy these online if I know the brand and am therefore pretty sure I know what I'm getting. Best is to buy in-person and open the package if you have to, and feel the paper, so you know what you are buying. I have many times seen packages labeled "paper", that were actually light cardstock. Not so much the reverse. And packages of light, medium, and heavy cardstock are often all labeled just "cardstock". ... Best! from Chila I think, therefore I fold, I fold, therefore I am. Folding for Fun in No. Arizona USA /// On Sun, May 14, 2023 at 10:27 AM gera...@neorigami.com < gera...@neorigami.com> wrote: > Thank you all who replied about A4 and letter-size paper for color-change > models, both through the list and privately. > > In her reply, Chila Caldera mentioned scrapbook paper. I know just a tiny > bit about scrapbooking... (1) so there's scrapbook paper of different > weights/grammage? > > I often receive emails by different origami groups inviting to their next > meeting, mentioning the models that will be taught and the materials > needed. I have seen often requests for scrapbook paper for certain models. > (2) If there are different scrapbook paper weights/grammage, is it implied > when origamists talk about scrapbook paper? Those emails simply mention > "scrapbook paper", without stating a weight/grammage. > > I have often heard that patterned paper shouldn't be used for origami > workshops, since all its decorations might make it hard to identify > reference points when folding and creasing. If that's true, (3) does > scrapbook paper during origami workshops, both in person and online, become > a problem? > > Those of you who have letter-size scrapbook paper that's appropriate for > origami, like Chila, (4) is it exactly 27.9 x 21.6 cm? I ask because in > Colombia, blocks of "letter-size" color paper are often off by more than a > few millimeters in each side. > > Thank you in advance! > -- > > *Gerardo G.* > gerardo(a)neorigami.com <http://www.neorigami.com> > instagram.com/neorigamicom > *Knowledge and Curiosity in Origami:* > *six private classes online* <https://www.neorigami.com> > > "(...) It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it takes your breath > away and fills you with the true joy of *origami*. I experienced this in > my lessons with Gerardo G. I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Gerardo is > (...)" *C. R.* *Read the full review* > <https://www.neorigami.com/#h.q2mt4npahmc2> > > >
