The secret note that passes between friends and sweethearts during lessons is a tradition that has been handed down for generations among classmates from all over the world. The next time you need to text someone you know, try one of the techniques below to keep your message safe and secret.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Basic Square
Step 1. Fold the card in vertical quarters
Fold the paper in half vertically. Make a second vertical fold so that the paper will now be 1/4 of its original width.
Note that the height or width of the paper should remain the same
Step 2. Bring each corner inward
The upper left corner should be folded diagonally to the right and the upper right corner should be folded diagonally to the left.
Fold so that the edge of the folded corner stays aligned with the edge of the paper strip
Step 3. Make another internal diagonal crease for each end
The upper triangle should be folded down and to the right and the lower triangle should be folded up and to the left.
There should be a slanted parallelogram at each end, and the original triangles should hang from the main body of the paper
Step 4. Turn the card over and fold each end horizontally
Turn the card to the back. Fold the top corner to the right and the bottom corner to the left.
- You should now have two triangles hanging from the main body of the card and aligned with its edges.
- At this point, there will be two distinct triangles on the front and two on the back.
Step 5. Turn the card over and fold the bottom up
Turn the ticket back to the front. Fold the bottom edge of the bottom triangle to the back until it meets the bottom edge of the top triangle on the front.
Step 6. Fold the top portion down
The top edge of the back triangle should be folded towards the front of the card so that it meets the bottom edge of the card.
Your card should now be a square at this point. The only thing left for you to do is the finishing move to keep the ticket tightly closed
Step 7. Slip the outermost triangle into the lower breast pocket
Move the tip of the triangle facing you towards the pocket at the base of the card.
- You should find yourself with a square divided into four separate triangular sections.
- This completes the fold.
Method 2 of 4: Base Rectangle
Step 1. Fold the upper right corner diagonally down
Bring the upper right corner diagonally down and to the left.
The left edge of the fold should match the left edge of the card
Step 2. Align the right edge with the left edge
Fold the right edge until it meets the left one and align them.
The bottom edge of your previous crease should be underneath your new crease
Step 3. Flip and fold the base up
Turn the paper to the back. Fold the bottom edge up, using about 1/3 of the total height of the paper.
Step 4. Repeat this fold a second time
You should use another third of the paper.
The resulting shape should be that of a triangle over a rectangle. The bottom corner of the triangle should be just past the middle of the top edge of the rectangle
Step 5. Fold the top triangle down towards the front of the card
The top of the triangle should meet the bottom edge of the rectangle.
Don't worry if the tips end a little earlier than the bottom edge, the card can still be completed
Step 6. Slip the tab into the top pocket
Fold the tip of the triangle towards the diagonal that crosses the triangle. Press firmly on the crease to strengthen it.
This step completes the rectangular base fold
Method 3 of 4: Arrow Ticket
Step 1. Fold your card in half vertically
Note that the width will be halved but the height should remain the same
Step 2. Fold the top and bottom portions into triangles
Bring the top left corner diagonally down and to the right. Fold the lower right corner diagonally up and to the left. Unfold when you are done.
- The edge of each corner should be aligned with the edge of the card.
- Fold the edges well so that the crease leaves a mark.
Step 3. Fold the bottom and top in opposite directions
Bring the upper right corner diagonally down and to the left and the lower left corner diagonally up and to the right. Unfold.
- Again, the edge of each corner should be aligned with the edge of the main body of the card.
- Press firmly on the fold before opening.
Step 4. Bring the bottom and top inwards
Fold the top edge to meet the lower marks left by your previous creases. Fold the bottom edge inward to the corresponding bottom crease.
Step 5. Thread the folded corners
Push each corner of the card, gently squeezing them between the top and bottom layers of the paper.
When you are done, there should be a triangle on the top of the paper and a triangle at the bottom. When you look at the top triangle from the bottom, each corner inserted should form an "M"
Step 6. Fold each side vertically towards the center
Slightly raise the left edge of both upper triangles, showing the bottom of the card. Bring the top edge vertically towards the center and crease. Repeat with the right edge.
- You should now have a double arrow.
- Each edge should meet the vertical center of the card.
Step 7. Fold the card in half horizontally
Bring the bottom arrow up so that it overlaps with the top arrow.
Step 8. Slide the bottom layer into the top arrow
Gently unfold the card and insert the overlapping bottom arrow into the crease of the original top arrow.
- You should now have a unique arrow.
- This completes your arrow fold.
Method 4 of 4: Diamond
Step 1. Fold the card in half vertically
Bring the right edge to meet the left one.
The width should be halved while the height will remain the same
Step 2. Fold one top and bottom corner into triangles
Bring the upper left corner diagonally down and to the right so that the edge of the folded triangle coincides with the edge of the main body. Fold the lower right corner diagonally up and to the left in the same way.
Press firmly on the fold, then unfold
Step 3. Repeat these folds with the other two corners
Bring the upper right corner diagonally down and to the left and the lower left corner diagonally up and to the right.
- The edges of both triangles should match the edges of the main body of the card.
- Press firmly on the fold before unfolding the card.
Step 4. Fold the top and bottom inwards
Bring the top edge down so that it meets the lower edge of the folds made by your previous triangles. Do the same with the bottom edge bringing it to meet the corresponding crease marks.
Step 5. Gently push the corners inward
Squeeze each corner, reversing its direction so that the corner fits between the top and bottom layers of the card.
- From the front, the resulting shape should be that of a short rectangle and below it a triangle.
- Looking from the bottom of the fold, each corner inserted should be in the shape of an "M".
Step 6. Turn the paper over and fold the bottom triangle up
From the back of the sheet, fold the bottom triangle inward and upward.
The base of the triangle should be aligned with the new base of the paper
Step 7. Fold the top triangle down
From the back, bring the tip of the upper triangle down so that it meets the base of the lower triangle.
- Press well on the folds and unfold temporarily.
- Note that the base of the upper triangle does not necessarily have to coincide with the tip of the paper. It is more important that the tip of the upper triangle meets the base of the lower triangle.
Step 8. Form a small diamond with the bottom corners
Take the top layer of the lower right corner and fold it up so that it meets the point of the lower triangle. Repeat with the lower left corner.
Step 9. Fold back the upper triangle and form a diamond with its corners
Repeat the fold necessary to overlap the top and bottom triangles. Fold the top layer of the left and right corners down so that they meet the tips of the top triangle.
Step 10. Bring the bottom corners up temporarily
You will need to create a horizontal line that crosses the right and left sides of the newly created diamond.
- Take the lower tip of the left half of the newly created upper diamond. Fold the tip inward, towards the top of the diamond. Press firmly on the fold before unfolding into the previous shape.
- Repeat with the right half.
Step 11. Press the tabs of the lower diamond towards those of the upper one
Bring the right half of the lower diamond out so that it crosses the base layer of the sheet but rests behind the right half of the upper diamond.
Repeat with the left half of the bottom diamond so that it rests under the left half of the top diamond
Step 12. Slip the upper diamond flaps into the new pockets that have folded up
This action will create a secure diamond on the front.
- Gently unfold the right flap. Fold the right flap in the opposite direction, slipping it into the top pocket.
- Repeat the action with the left flap.
Step 13. Turn the paper over and fold the sides inward
Turn the paper over to the back and fold the right vertical edge to the left and the left vertical edge to the right.
- Only fold the edges until they go naturally without breaking.
- The left side should slightly overlap the right.
Step 14. Slip the left side into the right and turn the card over
Insert the tips of the left side into the corners of the right side to secure the shape. Flip the ticket to the front one more time.
