May 03., 2020 / 3D Project, Cricut, Pazzles, Popup Cards, Scan N Cut

Make a Popup Motorcycle Card

Do you have a motorcycle lover among your friends and loved ones? Do you need a nice popup card to give them? If so, you can make a motorcycle popup card quickly and easily. You can download the free SVG cutting files from our Resource Library to make a motorcycle popup card like this one. The cutting files include pieces for the base popup card, backing card, decorative layer pieces, and an envelope. The completed motorcycle popup card measures 7″ wide x 5″ high when folded.

Supplies to Make a Popup Motorcycle Card

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Heavy Cardstock of your choice.
I used 80# white cardstock for the card base.
Medium weight green cardstock for the card backing.
French Cottage Paper Collection for layer embellishments
Silver metallic cardstock if desired behind the black motorcycle.
12″x 12″ lightweight paper or cardstock for envelope
Electronic Cutter (I used Pazzles Vue) or you can use Cricut Explore or Maker or Cameo 4 or Scan N Cut
Art Glitter Glue
SVG Cutting File from our Free Resource Library

Cutting Instructions to Make a Motorcycle Popup Card

The cutting files you need to make a popup motorcycle card are all included as shown below.

Cutting Files for motorcycle popup card

The card back is on the left. I cut this piece from green cardstock. Next, notice that the score lines are all solid red lines. Use a scoring tool for these lines, or retract your blade and reduce cutting pressure to score the surface of the card with your blade.

The base card is next to it. Cut this from white cardstock. Be sure to score the red lines first, then cut the black lines.

The next pieces are for layering on the card. Cut the grey motorcycle pieces from silver cardstock. Then glue it to the back of the black motorcycle piece to provide contrast. Then glue the black piece over the motorcycle on the base card. The light and dark green pieces represent decorative layer pieces for the top and bottom of the card.

The final piece is for the envelope. First score the red lines. Then cut on the black line.

Cutting Instructions for Cricut Explore or Cricut Maker

If you are using Cricut Design Space, upload the SVG file for the Motorcycle Popup Card into Cricut Design Space. Then right click on the design and select Ungroup. Check to make sure that all of the red lines are in their appropriate places, within the corresponding cutting lines, as shown in the diagram. You need to designate each of the red lines as score lines. Select the card and its score line, right click, then click on Attach. Next, select the base card and its score lines. Then right click and select Attach. Select the envelope and its score lines, right click, and then select Attach.

Go to the Make It screen to make sure the score lines show up on the same layer as the corresponding cutting lines. If you get a separate red mat, then the lines were not attached properly to their cutting shapes. Go back to fix that.

There is a video tutorial showing how to use popup card with Cricut Design Space here. Cricut Design Space has been updated a bit since the video was made. The updated software now has a Linetype Menu at the top of the screen near the left side. The only difference right now is that instead of clicking on the color box on the Layers menu on the side of the screen to change from a cut to a score line as shown in the video, you will select your line in the layers panel on the side of the screen, then click on the tiny down arrow at the top of the screen under Line type. Select Score. After you have designated a line to be a Score Line, hold the shift key, and select the shape of the card. Then Right click and select Attach.

Cutting Instructions for Scan N Cut

There is a set of multiple files for Scan N Cut users for this Motorcycle Popup Card, since Brother Canvas Workspace can accept only a single 11.5″”x11.5″” file at a time. Import one file at a time to cut and score. Make sure that the red lines are designated for score or draw.

Assembly Instructions

After you have all of the pieces cut out, it is time to start assembling your popup card. First remove the loose pieces from the motorcycle design. This process is called “weeding”. When these pieces are removed, you will be able to see through some parts of the motorcycle to the backing as shown below.

Prepare to fold the popup card.

Next, glue the solid silver motorcycle piece to the back side of the black motorcycle piece. Glue the tiny silver mirror piece over the black mirror on the motorcycle, and the silver seat piece over the black seat on the motorcycle as shown below.

Prepare motorcycle pieces.

Now glue the black and silver motorcycle piece over the motorcycle portion of the white popup card as shown below.

Glue black and silver pieces to the card.

Folding the Popup Card

First you need to fold your pieces along the score lines. Fold the backing card in half on the score line and crease it. Next, fold the sides of the white base card, pinching from the back of the card to make valley folds. There are two short fold lines on each side. Now pinch the score lines at the tops of the tabs from the back to make valley folds. Also, make valley folds by pinching from the back on the score lines at the bottom of the wheels on the motorcycle. Make mountain folds on the score lines at the top of the motorcycle. Use a bone folder to make crisp fold lines. Gently push the back of the card up as shown below.

Folded Popup Card

Then gently fold the card closed all the way, so that it is flat.

Folded Popup Card

Now that the folds are made, check to make sure that the card opens and closes smoothly. Open the card, and glue the remaining decorative pieces to the upper and lower parts of the card background. There are also pieces to glue on the tabs, if you wish to use them.

Glue on the decorative pieces.

Once you have all of the decorative pieces in place, fold the card closed.

Final Assembly of the Popup Motorcycle Card

To glue the popup card to its backing card, place the center crease of the folded card in the inside crease of the backing card as shown below. Use quick drying glue around the edges of the white base card, making sure not to get glue on any of the motorcycle parts.

Place popup base card inside backing card.

Close the backing card down over the white base card. Then rub all over the backing to make sure it stays in place until the glue dries. Once the glue is dry, turn the card over. Glue the other side to the backing card.

Glue the popup card to the back.

With glue on the other side of the white popup card base, close the card again, and hold firmly in place until the glue dries. Then you can open the card.

Completed Motorcycle Popup Card

Now you can decorate the front of the card as you like, perhaps with a title such as “On the Road Again”, or other phrase that will encourage the card recipient. You can stamp a sentiment on a tag, cut a special sentimental phrase, or even just glue some decorative paper on the front of the card. Sign your card, and it is ready for your recipient!

Cut and Fold the Envelope

Fold each flap of the envelope on the score lines towards the center.

Fold the Envelope on Score Lines

Place some glue at the bottom of each side flap. Then fold up the bottom flap over the sides. Hold in place until the glue is dry. Place the card inside of the envelope when you have it ready. To seal the envelope, place some glue around the top edge of the top envelope flap, and hold in place firmly until it is dry.