How to Create an Explosion Insert for a Card – Tutorial

This project is quite easy as long as you follow each step.

Explosion card how-to
1- My explosion piece is 7-3/4″ x 7-3/4″ due to a cutting error! It’s ok since it’s only a template!

1- Fold stamped (or printed) square piece of cardstock or paper in half, stamped side out.  Burnish with bone folder.

2- Fold again, along same crease, but stamped side in.  Burnish with bone folder.

3- Fold again, stamped side in.  Mark center of folded side and opposite side with pencil.

Explosion card how-to template
3- I realized (woke up!) several steps later that the stamped images should be on the inside at this point.  Pencil marks are at the upper (open) and lower (folded) centers.

4- Fold left corner to top center pencil mark.  Burnish with bone folder.

Explosion card how-to template
4-  Photo for instruction #4.  Fold right side to center mark as well.  (Stamped images should be on inside!)

 

5-  Unfold both sides.  Turn paper over.  Refold and burnish with bone folder.

6-  Unfold left side and push bottom fold inward to invert the corner.

Explosion card how-to template
Instruction #6. (Stamped images should be on inside!)

7-  Do same with right side and burnish with bone folder.   You now have a triangle.

8- Fold top corner on left over to center pencil mark.  Burnish with bone folder.

Explosion card template/how-to
#8 & 9  (Remember, the stamped images should be on the inside at this point!)

9- Repeat with corner on the right.

10- Unfold, turn over and repeat steps 9 and 10.  This burnishing makes the creases easy to move.

11- Unfold corners, open up, use index finger to push it in and invert corner, push it in. Burnish all edges with bone folder.

Explosion card template/how-to
Instruction #11a.
Explosion card template/how-to
Instruction #11b.

12- Do this on all 4 corners.

Explosion card template/how-to
Explosion #12.

13- Bring card front back, check explosion portion to ensure stamped images are facing right direction.  Place folded piece inside card with tip along center fold and adhere with adhesive.

Explosion card template/how-to
Instruction #13a.
Explosion card template/how-to
Instruction #13b.

Done!

Explosion card template/how-to
Finished card.

 

I’ve also made some little March explosion packets that I’ll be handing out to people of my choice (grocery clerk, doctor’s office etc) during the month of March.  You can see that post here.  These little cards are 2″ square.

Pocket Promotions - explosion message

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