Paper scoring is a fundamental technique in paper crafting that creates clean, precise folds. It helps achieve a polished and professional finish in various DIY projects by ensuring sharp creases and a refined appearance.
Understanding Paper Scoring
Paper scoring involves making an indentation or shallow groove in paper or cardstock before folding it. This action compresses the paper fibers along the intended fold line, allowing the material to bend without cracking or tearing. Scoring is especially beneficial for thicker papers and cardstock, where a simple fold without this preparation can result in a messy, uneven edge with visible fiber damage.
The difference between a scored fold and an unscored fold is evident in both appearance and structural integrity. An unscored fold often appears ragged, with fibers along the crease potentially breaking and creating a white, cracked line, particularly on colored or printed paper. In contrast, a properly scored fold results in a smooth, crisp, and defined edge that maintains the paper’s surface integrity and enhances the overall aesthetic of the finished piece. This technique makes the fold easier and more accurate.
Essential Tools and Techniques
Various tools are available to achieve effective paper scoring, each suited for different preferences and project needs. A bone folder, traditionally made from bone or plastic, is a smooth, dull tool used to press and create a crease in paper after scoring, and also to burnish the fold for a sharp finish. Scoring tools or styluses often feature a ball-tipped or dull point designed to create the initial indentation without cutting the paper. These come in various sizes to accommodate different paper thicknesses and desired score depths.
A straight edge, commonly a metal ruler, is essential for guiding the scoring tool to ensure a perfectly straight line. Metal rulers are durable and resist accidental cuts from other crafting tools. A scoring board offers added convenience with pre-measured grooves and alignment guides, making it simple to create multiple consistent score lines. Some paper trimmers also include interchangeable scoring blades, combining cutting and scoring functions in one device.
To score paper effectively, position the paper on a flat surface and align the ruler precisely where the fold is desired. Apply light, even pressure with the scoring tool along the ruler, making one or two passes to create a clear indentation without tearing the paper. Score on the side that will become the inside of the fold, or the “valley” side, as this helps prevent cracking on the exterior surface. After scoring, fold the paper along the line and use a bone folder to burnish the crease, reinforcing the fold.
Common Applications
Paper scoring is integral to numerous paper crafting projects. In card making, scoring ensures greeting cards and invitations have neat, professional-looking spines and crisp folds. This prevents the cardstock from cracking along the fold. For creations like gift boxes and envelopes, scoring provides the precise fold lines needed to assemble three-dimensional structures with sharp corners and strong seams.
The technique is also valuable in scrapbooking, particularly for elements such as pop-ups, flaps, and mini-albums. Bookbinding projects rely on scoring to create flexible, durable spines for handmade books and journals, allowing pages to turn smoothly. Even in origami, scoring can help define complex creases more accurately.