Whoa there! An iPad out of paper? That's an incredibly creative and fun idea, but let's be clear upfront: you won't be able to make a functional iPad with a screen, apps, or internet connectivity out of paper. What we can make is a fantastic, realistic-looking model of an iPad that's perfect for play, decoration, or even as a prop!
Ready to embark on this imaginative crafting adventure? Let's turn some humble paper into an awesome faux iPad!
Crafting Your Own Paper iPad: A Step-by-Step Guide
This guide will walk you through creating a surprisingly convincing paper iPad model. Get ready to unleash your inner artist and engineer!
Step 1: Gathering Your "Apple" Supplies
First things first, let's gather our "ingredients" for this paper-based technological marvel. Don't worry, these are much easier to find than actual Apple products!
- Paper: You'll need a few sheets. Cardstock is ideal for a sturdier iPad, but regular printer paper will work too, just be a bit more gentle with it. Black, white, or silver paper are great choices to mimic real iPad colors.
- Ruler: For precise measurements – essential for that sleek iPad look.
- Pencil: For marking your cuts and folds.
- Scissors or Craft Knife: A craft knife (with a cutting mat underneath!) will give you super clean edges, but sharp scissors are perfectly fine.
- Glue Stick or Double-Sided Tape: To hold everything together.
- Optional:
- Markers, Colored Pencils, or Crayons: For drawing the screen and details.
- Printouts of App Icons: For a more realistic screen look.
- Clear Plastic Sheet (e.g., from packaging): To create a "screen" effect.
- Old Credit Card or Folder Edge: For crisp folds.
Step 2: Designing Your Digital Canvas
Now comes the fun part – determining the size and shape of your paper iPad. Think about which iPad model you want to replicate!
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Sub-heading: Deciding on Dimensions
- For a mini iPad: A good starting point is around 6-7 inches in height and 4-5 inches in width.
- For a standard iPad: Aim for roughly 8-9 inches in height and 6-7 inches in width.
- For an iPad Pro: Go even bigger, perhaps 10-11 inches in height and 7-8 inches in width.
Remember, these are just suggestions! Feel free to adjust based on the paper you have and your desired outcome.
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Sub-heading: Sketching the Main Body
- Take your chosen paper (let's say black cardstock for a sleek look).
- Using your ruler and pencil, draw a rectangle on the paper with your chosen iPad dimensions. For example, let's go with 8.5 inches x 6 inches.
- Gently round the corners slightly. Real iPads don't have sharp, pointy corners. You can use a coin or a small circular object as a template for this.
Step 3: Bringing Your iPad to Life: The "Screen" and "Bezels"
This is where your paper really starts looking like a device!
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Sub-heading: Creating the Screen Cutout
- Inside your main rectangle, draw another, slightly smaller rectangle. This will be your "screen." Leave a uniform border (the "bezel") around the edges – about 0.5 to 1 inch, depending on your overall iPad size.
- For example: If your outer rectangle is 8.5 x 6 inches, your inner screen rectangle might be 7.5 x 5 inches, leaving a 0.5-inch bezel all around.
- Carefully cut out this inner rectangle using your craft knife or scissors. This creates the "hole" for your screen.
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Sub-heading: Adding the Home Button (Optional but Recommended!)
- At the bottom center of your screen bezel, draw a small circle for the home button. A dime or a small button could be a good template.
- You can either draw it directly on the paper or, for a more 3D effect, cut out a separate small circle from a different color paper (like white) and glue it on.
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Sub-heading: The "Camera" and "Sensors"
- At the top center of your screen bezel, draw a tiny circle for the front-facing camera.
- Next to it, draw a couple of even tinier dots or a thin line for the sensors.
Step 4: The Back Panel and Sides: Adding Depth
To give your paper iPad a more realistic feel, we'll create a back panel and some side "thickness."
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Sub-heading: The Back Panel
- Take another sheet of paper (same color as your front panel, or a contrasting one if you're feeling adventurous!).
- Draw and cut out a rectangle exactly the same size as your front panel (the outer dimensions you established in Step 2). This will be the back of your iPad.
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Sub-heading: Crafting the "Sides" (The "Depth Strips")
- This is a crucial step for making your iPad look less flat. You'll need thin strips of paper to create the illusion of thickness.
- Cut four long strips of paper. Their length should match the length of each side of your iPad (two long strips for the top/bottom, two shorter strips for the left/right).
- The width of these strips determines how "thick" your iPad will be. Aim for 0.5 to 1 inch wide. This width will be folded in half to create a corner.
- Example: If your iPad is 8.5 x 6 inches and you want 0.5-inch thickness, you'll cut two strips that are 8.5 inches long by 1 inch wide, and two strips that are 6 inches long by 1 inch wide.
Step 5: Assembling Your Paper Masterpiece
Now for the grand assembly!
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Sub-heading: Folding the "Side" Strips
- Take each of your four "side" strips.
- Fold each strip exactly in half lengthwise. Press firmly with your ruler or an old credit card to get a sharp crease. This crease will form the outer edge of your iPad.
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Sub-heading: Attaching the Sides to the Front Panel
- Apply glue or double-sided tape along one half of the folded side strips.
- Carefully align and press these glued halves to the edges of the back of your front panel. The folded crease should be flush with the edge of the front panel.
- Start with the longest sides first, then the shorter ones.
- Miter the corners if you want a really clean look (cut the ends of the strips at a 45-degree angle where they meet at the corners). If that's too tricky, just overlap them neatly.
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Sub-heading: Connecting the Back Panel
- Once all four side strips are securely attached to the front panel, you'll have a sort of shallow box frame.
- Apply glue or double-sided tape to the other half of the folded side strips that are currently sticking up.
- Carefully place your back panel on top of these glued edges, aligning it perfectly with the front panel. Press down firmly all around to ensure a strong bond.
You should now have a hollow, three-dimensional paper iPad shell!
Step 6: The "Screen" and Final Touches
This is where your paper iPad truly comes alive!
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Sub-heading: Designing Your Digital Display
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You have a few options for the screen:
- Draw It On: Take a piece of white paper that fits perfectly into your screen cutout. Draw a variety of colorful app icons, a background image, or even a specific app interface (like a game or a social media feed). Be creative!
- Print It Out: Search online for "iPad screen wallpaper" or "app icons." Print them out to the correct size and cut them precisely to fit your screen cutout.
- The "Glossy" Screen Effect: If you have a clear plastic sheet (like from product packaging), cut it to fit your screen cutout. You can then either glue your drawn/printed screen behind this plastic or glue the plastic directly over your cutout. This gives a nice reflective, screen-like finish.
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Once your screen design is ready, glue it securely behind the screen cutout on the inside of your front panel. If you're using the plastic sheet, sandwich the design between the plastic and the paper, or glue the plastic on top.
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Sub-heading: Adding Buttons and Ports (Optional but Recommended!)
- Volume Buttons: On one of the longer sides, draw or cut out and glue on two small, thin rectangles for the volume up and down buttons.
- Power Button: On a shorter side (usually the top right), draw or glue on a tiny oval or rectangle for the power button.
- Charging Port: At the bottom center, draw a small oval or rectangle for the charging port.
- Speaker Grills: Draw tiny dots or lines on either side of the charging port for the speakers.
- Rear Camera: On the back panel, draw a small circle in the top left corner for the rear camera. You can add an even tinier dot next to it for the flash.
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Sub-heading: The Apple Logo
- On the back panel, in the center, draw or print out a small Apple logo and glue it on. This is the ultimate finishing touch!
Step 7: Enjoy Your Paper Creation!
Congratulations! You've successfully crafted your very own paper iPad. It might not let you browse the web or play games, but it's a fantastic testament to your creativity and crafting skills. Use it for imaginative play, as a cool desk decoration, or even as a unique gift!
10 Related FAQ Questions:
How to make a paper iPad stand?
You can make a simple stand by folding a rectangular piece of cardstock into a 'Z' shape. The bottom of the 'Z' will be the base, and the top diagonal part will support your paper iPad.
How to make a paper iPad case?
To make a simple case, take two pieces of paper slightly larger than your iPad. Decorate them as desired. Cut thin strips of paper and glue them along three edges of one piece to create a pocket. Slide your paper iPad into this pocket, then glue the other large piece on top to form the cover.
How to make a paper iPad with a realistic screen?
For a realistic screen, print out a high-resolution image of an iPad home screen or a specific app, sized to fit your cutout. Then, cover it with a piece of clear plastic (from packaging, a laminating sheet, or even clear tape) to give it a glossy, reflective look.
How to make a paper iPad with a keyboard?
Create a separate, rectangular piece of paper slightly smaller than your iPad. Draw a QWERTY keyboard layout on it. You can then attach this to your paper iPad with a small paper hinge, or simply use it as a separate accessory.
How to make a paper iPad stylus?
Roll a thin strip of paper tightly into a long, pointed cylinder. Secure it with glue. You can make it look more like a stylus by adding a small, soft tip made from cotton or a piece of felt.
How to make a paper iPad charger?
Roll a small, rectangular piece of paper for the "brick" part. Then, roll a very long, thin strip of paper for the "cable" and attach it to the brick. You can even add a small paper connector shape at the end.
How to make a paper iPad with a hinge?
If you want to simulate a folding iPad, you'll need to create two iPad "halves" that are slightly thinner. Then, use a strong piece of paper or cardstock folded several times and glued securely to connect the two halves along one edge, allowing them to fold.
How to make a paper iPad with a camera lens?
For a more detailed camera lens, you can cut out several concentric circles from different shades of paper (e.g., black, gray, white) and layer them on top of each other to create depth. A small piece of reflective material (like foil) could also be used for the lens itself.
How to make a paper iPad for kids?
When making a paper iPad for kids, prioritize durability. Use thicker cardstock, reinforce seams with extra glue or tape, and keep the design simple with large, easy-to-draw app icons. Lamination can also make it more resistant to wear and tear.
How to make a paper iPad box?
To make a paper iPad box, measure your finished paper iPad. Then, create a rectangular box shape out of cardstock that is slightly larger than your iPad, ensuring it has a lid. You can find many box-making templates online that you can adapt to your dimensions.
