How to make a paper blind bag
Paper blind bags are quick to make once you know the folds. This guide follows the Oolshak template, but the same steps work for any paper bag you draw yourself.
What you need
- A printed blind bag set (or plain paper and a ruler for the no-printer method)
- Scissors — and an adult to help younger children
- A glue stick or double-sided tape
- Optional: a ruler or bone folder for crisp folds, clear tape, coloring pens
| Part | Best paper |
|---|---|
| Wrappers (bags) | 80–100 gsm (20–27 lb) printer paper — thin enough to fold neatly |
| Figures | 160–200 gsm (60–75 lb) card stock — stands up well |
| Seals and checklist | Sticker paper if you have it, or ordinary paper and a glue stick |
Step by step
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Print at actual size
Print with scale set to 100% / Actual size. Measure the square on the seals sheet: it should be exactly 5 cm (about 2 in). If not, check your printer’s scaling.
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Cut out the figures
Cut along the solid lines around each figure. Fold the base tab backwards along the dashed line so the figure stands up.
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Cut out the wrappers
Cut around the outside of each bag template, including the glue tabs and the top flap.
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Fold along the dashed lines
Fold the bag in half along the center line so the artwork is on the outside. Then fold the side tab, the bottom tab and the top flap inwards and crease firmly.
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Glue the tabs
Fold at the middle dashed line, artwork outside. Fold the shaded side and bottom tabs inside; glue them to the inside of the opposite/front panel. Let dry; leave the top open.
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Fill and seal
Without peeking, fold the figure’s base flat against its back and slip one figure into the dry bag. Keep any extras small and flat. Fold the top flap down and close it with a seal sticker.
How to make a blind bag without a printer
- Cut a rectangle of paper 15 × 12 cm (about 5.9 × 4.7 in).
- Draw two vertical lines: 7 cm and 14 cm from the left edge. You now have two 7 cm panels and a 1 cm side tab.
- Across the top, mark a strip 2 cm deep. Keep it only above the left panel (this is the closing flap) and cut the rest of the strip away.
- Across the bottom, mark a strip 1 cm deep. Keep it only below the middle panel (this is the bottom tab) and cut the rest away.
- Decorate both panels. Fold along the middle line with the artwork outside. Fold the side and bottom tabs inside and glue them to the inside of the opposite/front panel. Let the glue dry, leaving the top open. Add small, flat surprises, then fold down and seal the top flap.
Troubleshooting
| Problem | Fix |
|---|---|
| The figure does not fit in the bag | Fold the figure’s base flat before inserting it, and check the page printed at 100%. |
| The figure will not stand | Use card stock and fold the base to a right angle; a small dab of glue under the base helps. |
| The glue wrinkles the paper | Use a thin layer of glue stick or double-sided tape instead of liquid glue. |
| You can see the figure through the bag | Add a folded tissue inside, or print the wrappers on slightly thicker paper. |
| The scale square is not 5 cm | Turn off “Fit to page” and choose “Actual size” or 100%. |