Hello! I’m Seul from Seulpaper.
Today, I’m excited to share a tutorial on how to make paper leaves for all paper flower beginners. This guide is specifically designed to show you how to create simple and realistic paper leaves that can elevate any botanical project.
Paper leaves, often referred to as “greenery” or “foliage” in the crafting world, are the ultimate secret to making any paper flower arrangement look complete, professional, and natural. Many people focus only on the petals, but the leaves provide the necessary contrast and structure. Whether you’re decorating a handmade gift box, making a personalized greeting card, or creating a stunning paper flower cake topper, these leaves will be your go-to element. In this post, I will walk you through every detail so you can achieve perfect results even on your first try.
안녕하세요! 슬페이퍼의 슬기입니다. 오늘은 모든 페이퍼 플라워 제작에서 기본이자 필수인 ‘심플하고 리얼한 종이 잎사귀 만들기’를 공유해 드리려고 합니다. 흔히 “그린 소재”라고 불리는 종이 잎사귀는 모든 페이퍼 플라워 장식을 완벽하고 자연스럽게 만들어주는 비결입니다. 선물 상자 데코, 카드 제작, 또는 페이퍼 플라워 토퍼를 만들 때 이 잎사귀들이 요긴하게 쓰일 거예요.
🛠️ Materials You’ll Need (Detailed Guide)
To get started making paper leaves, please prepare the following items. I personally recommend using high-quality materials because the texture of the paper significantly impacts the final look of your greenery, paper leaves.
- Green Paper: Choose shades that match your flowers. I suggest using Canson or any 120-180gsm weight paper. This weight is sturdy enough to hold its shape but flexible enough to curl.
- Scissors: High-precision scissors make cutting intricate edges and organic curves much easier.
- Cutting Machines: For those who want to produce paper leaves in bulk, you can also use a cutting machine like Silhouette Cameo or Cricut. These are great for maintaining consistency.
- Floral Wire: A 27-gauge wire is perfect. It’s thin and delicate, making it nearly invisible once sandwiched between the paper.
- Floral Tape: Use green or light green tape to wrap the stems. Remember, floral tape is pressure-sensitive!
- Glue: I recommend a quick-dry tacky glue or high-quality wood glue for a strong, instant bond.
시작하기에 앞서 다음 재료들을 준비해 주세요. (최상의 결과물을 위해 고품질의 재료를 사용하시는 것을 추천합니다!)
- 초록색 종이는 120-180gsm 두께가 적당합니다. 여러분이 만들고 싶은 꽃과 어울리는 색을 선택하세요.
- 정밀 가위나 실루엣 카메오, 크리컷 같은 커팅 기계를 사용하면 훨씬 편리합니다.
- 27호 철사를 준비해주세요.
- 종이와 비슷하거나 같은 꽃테이프를 준비해주세요.
- 빠르게 마르는 목공용풀 혹은 핫멜트 글루건과 글루건 심을 준비해주세요.
🌿 Step-by-Step Instructions: Mastering the Technique
Now that you have materials, let’s learn how to make basic paper leaves.
Step 1: Cut the Leaf Shapes with Precision
The first step to make paper leaves is to cut out your leaf shapes in various sizes. One common mistake beginners make is making all the leaves the same size. To give your greenery a more organic and natural look, I highly recommend preparing at least three to four different sizes—small, medium, and large. This variation mimics how real plants grow in nature, with smaller new leaves at the tips and larger ones at the base.
다양한 크기로 잎사귀 모양을 잘라주세요. 자연스러운 느낌을 주려면 최소 세 가지 이상의 다른 크기를 준비하는 것이 좋습니다. 실제 자연에서 식물의 성장 방식을 반영해, 끝에는 어린 잎이 작게, 아래로 갈수록 잎이 더 크게 자라나는 표현이 가능합니다.
Step 2: Add Realistic Texture and the Stem Structure
Now, let’s give the leaf some “bones.” Apply a very thin, consistent line of glue down the exact center of one leaf. Carefully place the floral wire on the glue, leaving enough wire at the bottom to act as a stem. Then, cover it with another leaf of the same size, aligning the edges perfectly.
잎사귀 한 장의 중앙에 풀을 얇게 바르고 꽃철사를 올린 뒤 다른 잎사귀를 덮어주세요.
Pro Tip for Realism: Once the glue is slightly set, use your fingernail or a scoring tool to press firmly along both sides of the wire. This creates a realistic “central vein” effect that catches the light just like a real leaf!
전문가의 팁: 손톱이나 도구를 이용해 철사 양옆을 꾹 눌러주면 실제 같은 ‘잎맥’ 효과를 낼 수 있습니다.
Step 3: Assemble the Branch and Wrap the Stem
Once your individual leaves are dry, it’s time to build the branch. Start wrapping the floral tape around the main stem, beginning from the very top leaf. As you move down the wire, gradually add pairs of leaves at staggered intervals.
Important Note on Floral Tape: Make sure to stretch the tape slightly as you wrap. This stretching action “activates” the wax/adhesive in the tape, ensuring it sticks firmly to the wire and doesn’t unravel later.
맨 위쪽부터 메인 줄기에 꽃테이프를 감으며 잎사귀들을 추가해 주세요. 테이프를 살짝 늘리면서 감아야 접착력이 생겨 단단하게 고정됩니다.
Step 4: The Final Touch – Shaping for Life
The magic happens in the final shaping. Don’t leave your paper leaves flat! Gently bend, twist, and curve the paper leaves using your fingers or a bone folder. Giving them a 3D, life-like appearance makes a huge difference in the overall quality of your paper flower arrangement.
잎사귀를 부드럽게 구부려 생동감 있는 입체적인 모양으로 잡아주세요. 종이를 평평하게 두지 않고 곡선을 주어야 진짜 식물처럼 보입니다.
🎥 Watch the Full Video Tutorial
If you’re a visual learner, I’ve prepared a detailed video to guide you through the process. Seeing the hand movements can be very helpful for mastering the floral tape technique. Check out my YouTube tutorial below:
더 자세한 제작 과정이 궁금하시다면 위 유튜브 튜토리얼 영상을 확인해 보세요!
🥰 Final Thoughts and Community
Did you find this tutorial helpful? Learning how to make paper leaves is a journey of practice and patience. If you have any questions about the materials or the steps, feel free to leave a comment below! I love hearing from fellow crafters.
Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram @seulpaper for more daily paper art inspiration, behind-the-scenes content, and new project reveals. Happy crafting, and I can’t wait to see what you create!
이 튜토리얼이 도움이 되셨나요? 궁금한 점은 댓글로 남겨주세요! 인스타그램 @seulpaper를 팔로우하시면 더 많은 영감을 보실 수 있습니다.