Instructions | How to Fold
The unique Miura fold is not the easiest technique to grasp as it doesn't follow the traditional 90 degree angle of folding we're all so familiar with. Yes it's challenging, but not impossible. And the results are well worth the effort!
Here's a slideshow to walk you through the folding process. For those of you who prefer written instructions, see below.
Folding Trial
Practice the Miura fold using a small letter-sized template you can print at home.
Download template
The poster arrives in a lovely triangle shipper
Roll out the poster and allow it to flatten
Gather your tools: ruler (or straight edge) and a your choice of cutting tool
Cut off the informational strip along the right edge of the poster
Take note of the 2 types of dashed lines: short and compact vs long and spaced out
The informational strip includes a key equating the dashed lines with fold type
Start with creasing all the valley folds by placing the ruler along the dashed line
Fold the paper towards you using the ruler to create a crease
Example of creased valley fold
What it should look like when all the zig zagged valley fold lines are creased
What it should look like when all valley folds have been creased
After completing valley fold creases, use your fingers to fold the mountain folds
Start from the edges of the poster and work your way in
Example of mountain folds in bottom left corner
Don't worry about having to temporarily bend a previously creased valley fold the opposite direction in order to create a mountain fold
Example of what the poster looks like when all creases/fold have been created
Starting on the short edge, begin to gently accordion fold the poster
If you find the poster is not wanting to accordion fold, it's likely you forgot to crease a valley or mountain fold somewhere.
Keep working the poster into a tighter shape making sure paper is folding properly along the dashed lines as you go
What the poster will look like when gently folded up - but not yet done!
View of backside before folding is complete
Go along each point and edge and use fingers to crimp them to make them crisp
View of one side of completed poster
View of other side of completed poster
Initially the poster will still try to spring open when you let it go
Try placing the poster under heavy books for a couple days to compress it more
All done! This is the proper orientation in order to open the poster and have it view properly to the intended audience
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Gather needed tools and prepare your poster for folding
Unroll your poster and let it flatten out naturally overnight. Or try re-rolling it the opposite direction to try to flatten it. Make sure you have a ruler (or straight edge) and a cutting tool of your choice. Cut off the informational strip along the right edge of the poster.
2. Equate dash type with fold type
Notice the 2 types of dashed lines that are lightly printed on the poster: short and compact vs long and spaced out. The short and compact dashes indicate valley folds. The long and spaced dashes indicate mountain folds. Make sure you are familiar with each type of fold.
3. Start with the valley folds
Starting from the outside and working towards the center, use a flat edge (ruler) to crease all the valley folds. To do this, place the ruler along the dashed line on the front of the poster and, with your other hand on the backside of the poster, push the paper up towards you. Bend the paper using the edge of the ruler and use your finger to run the length of the dashed line to make a crease.
4. Now complete the mountain folds
Once all the valley fold creases are completed, I ditch the ruler and simply use my hands to create all the mountain folds. This is the part that takes some patience as the paper will want to fight you. The interior mountain folds are especially challenging. Don't worry if you have to gently bend a valley fold in the opposite direction for a moment in order to be able to make a nearby mountain fold. The paper has "muscle memory" and will go back to the original crease you made.
5. Start to contract the paper like an accordion
Once you've completed all the valley and mountain folds the paper will naturally start to contract into a zigzagged accordion looking shape. Gently push it to contract more but make sure you straighten and pinch valley folds along the way. Also make sure the peaks/corners created where the mountain and valley folds meet, remain pointy as the paper contracts.
6. If needed, double check the mountain and valley folds
If you find that the paper doesn't want to easily contract, it's probably because you forgot to crease a mountain fold, or valley fold, or both. So open it back up and double check you didn't miss anything.
7. Put it under something heavy
Once the paper is perfectly folded into shape, gently step on it with bare feet or wedge it under a heavy book for a while. It will help the piece lie flat and not try to pop open on it's own like that snake in a nut can prank.
Your poster is now ready to use!
When holding the folded poster, make sure you are looking at the white (non-printed) side and the "stairs" made by the folds are headed up and to the right. This is the orientation the poster needs to be in so it appears correctly to the intended audience when opened.
