Bone Folders for Cardmaking, Origami, Book Binding and Paper Crafts

Here's a guide that answers frequently asked questions about bone folders, and discusses the variety of uses for them in cardmaking, bookbinding, origami, art and paper crafts.

What Is a Bone Folder?

A bone folder is a tool that can be used for manipulating paper or other surfaces in various ways. Here are some typical uses for bone folders:

To score or crease paper or other materials
To burnish or emboss paper
To create or turn corners in various craft projects

What Other Materials That Can Be Scored or Manipulated Using a Bone Folder?

Vellum
Leather
Fabric
Some Acrylics

I recently discovered that my bone folder can be used to make really fabulous folds on Clear Scraps acrylic sheets. I created a clear greeting card using the acrylic sheet as the card base; I created the fold using the bone folder.

Bone Folders Are Helpful Tools for Use in the Following Crafts:

Bookbinding: Bone folders are essential tools in the bookbinder's stash. They are helpful for creating many different types of bindings, including accordion-fold books and others.

Origami : Bone folders have limitless applications in origami; they are useful for every aspect of this craft, including making the origami folds and manipulating tight corners.

Cardmaking: If you've ever tried to make a greeting card without using a bone folder, you've no doubt discovered that the folds don't turn out looking professional. Bone folders are typically used for making crisp, perfect creases in handmade cards and envelopes.

They are also useful for smaller variations, such as gift tags and matching envelopes for wrapping birthday presents and holiday gifts. Have you admired the little gift tags that the florist includes with flower deliveries? When you pick a bouquet from your own garden, you can create a matching gift tag and envelope using some cardstock, adhesive, and a bone folder.

Scrapbooking: Use a bone folder to make hidden journaling spots for scrapbook pages. There are many other applications as well.

Collage Art and Altered Art: Everywhere you need to fold or burnish your paper, a bone folder can help.

What Else Can I Do With a Bone Folder?

Bone folders are a versatile tool for paper crafting. Here are some additional ways the bone folder can help with your paper crafts projects.

Make handmade boxes out of paper by scoring the paper with your bone folder

Add distress marks, dry doodles, or additional texture by "writing" with the bone folder as you would with a pencil or stylus. Ink over the "writing" with an inkpad, or apply chalks or paints for additional emphasis.

Use the bone folder in place of a paper crimper if you prefer asymmetrical crimping or crimping that is unevenly spaced.

Are Bone Folders Really Made Out of Bone?

Some bone folders are made out of bone, and some are made out of various plastics such as melamine.

How Much Do Bone Folders Cost? And Where Can I Buy Them?

Pricing depends on several factors, including the size of the bone folder and the material it is made of. You can typically buy a small plastic bone folder for around $3. Dickblick.com is selling several genuine bone folders in various shapes and sizes for approximate prices ranging between $5-$7.

Your local art or craft store probably sells bone folders. Most scrapbooking stores sell them too. Look for them wherever you purchase paper crafting supplies.

A bone folder is included with the Making Memories Distressing Kit.

You might also be interested in taking a look at the Scor-Pal tool. The Scor-pal is a complete system for scoring paper. It includes a tool that is constructed like a bone folder, and it also includes a base with guides for scoring paper in multiple places without moving it.

More Cardmaking Resources:

Strathmore Bristol Board: I use Bristol Board for most of my card bases. It scores beautifully with a bone folder, and it makes a heftier card base than plain cardstock does; it's great for layering and collaging.

How to Make Paper Flowers for Embellishing Greeting Cards and Other Paper Crafts Projects

Core'dinations Cardstock for Cardmaking, Scrapbooking and Paper Crafts