Pattern Guide

This guide will walk you thorugh our simple pattern system, getting you ready to tackle any Chompshop project pack

Learn the different pattern symbols and what each means

Solid black lines show you where to cut out each of your parts with your ChompSaw.

Red boxes show you where to draw your own designs, or help you align parts during assembly.

Green circles show you where to drill holes using your Hole Punch.

Red dashed lines show you where to fold upwards, creating a valley shape.

Blue dashed lines show you where to fold downwards, creating a peak mountain shape.

Yellow checkered sections show you where to apply double-sided tape on the front of the part.

Purple checkered sections show you where to apply double-sided tape on the back of the part (flip the cardboard!).

Yellow diamond plate sections show you where to apply packing tape on the front of the part.

Purple diamond plate sections show you where to apply packing tape on the back of the part (flip the cardboard!).

Yellow squiggly lines show you where you will remove an outer layer of cardboard on the front of the part.

Purple squiggly lines show you where you will remove an outer layer of cardboard on the back of the part (flip the cardboard!).

Every part on your pattern is labeled with a letter, so you can tell them apart and follow along with the instructions.

Light grey lines show you where to cut around each part with scissors or your ChompSaw, before gluing the paper pattern to cardboard.

If you see this flute direction symbol, glue the paper pattern so the arrow points in the same direction as the flutes (the ridges in the inside layer of the cardboard).

Learn the basics

Here's the recommended order for turning a flat pattern into a finished build. Pick a step to see how it's done.

1. Color in your pattern

Check your pattern to see if there are any red boxes meant for drawing—this is where you can add in your own designs.

2. Cut out paper parts

Take your paper pattern and cut around each part with scissors. Each part is labeled with a letter!

Tip: Leave some space!

Leave some extra space around the edges of each part—you’ll clean up those lines when you use your ChompSaw.

3. Glue the back

Flip each pattern part around and apply glue on the back of the paper.

4. Stick to cardboard

Glue each paper pattern part on to cardboard.

Tip: Follow the flute!

If you see this flute direction symbol, glue the paper pattern so the arrow points in the same direction as the flutes (the ridges in the inside layer of the cardboard).

1. Look for green circles

Look for the green circle symbol on your pattern—this is where you’ll punch a hole.

2. Choose your hole size

Each step on the tip of your Hole Punch is a different-sized hole. The green circles on your pattern will tell you which size to punch.

3. Align hole punch

Align the hole punch with the center of the green circle.

4. Punch hole

Hold your Hole Punch like a screwdriver and twist into the cardboard at the green circle.

1. Look for black cut lines

Look for the black lines on your pattern—these are where you’ll be cutting with your ChompSaw.

2. Cut on the lines

Use your ChompSaw to cut out the cardboard parts. For accurate sizes, make sure to chomp right on the lines—not too far inside or outside!

Tip: Cut inside shapes

If your pattern has inside shapes, keep following along to learn how to cut them out with your ChompSaw.

3. Place the hole

Once you have punched a hole, you can place your cardboard on your ChompSaw with the hole around the cutting head.

4. Cut your design

To make curves and turns, rotate the cardboard and keep pushing forward. Remember, the ChompSaw won't cut if you push sideways.

5. Rotate cardboard

Attach the astronaut hub (part F) to the back of the rocket body (part A). You should see your astronaut peeking out the window!

1. Look for red dashed lines

Look for red dashed lines on your pattern—these are for valley folds.

2. Fold into valleys

Fold the cardboard along the red dashed lines to make a V-shape, like a valley.

3. Look for blue dashed lines

Look for blue dashed lines on your pattern—these are for mountain folds.

4. Fold into mountains

Fold the cardboard along the blue dashed lines to make a peak, like a little mountain.

1. Look for yellow checkered sections

Look for yellow checkered areas marked on your pattern—these show you where to apply double-sided tape.

2. Look for yellow diamond plate sections

Look for yellow diamond plate areas marked on your pattern—these show you where to apply single-sided tape.

Tip: Peel off paper

If the paper pattern is peeling off or not sticking fully, carefully peel the yellow section off of the cardboard before you apply tape.

3. Tape on the front

Apply tape on the section. If you're applying double-sided tape, make sure to leave the adhesive layer on top—you’ll remove that later!

4. Look for purple checkered sections

Look for purple checkered areas marked on your pattern—these show you where to apply double-sided tape on the back of the part.

5. Look for purple diamond plate sections

Look for purple diamond plate areas marked on your pattern—these show you where to apply single-sided tape on the back of the part.

6. Flip the cardboard

Turn your part over so the back side faces up.

7. Tape on the back

Apply tape on the back of the cardboard behind the purple section. If you're applying double-sided tape, make sure to leave the adhesive layer on top—you’ll remove that later!

1. Look for yellow squiggly lines

Look for the yellow squiggly lines on your pattern—these show you where to remove a layer of cardboard on the front of the part.

2. Look for purple squiggly lines

Look for the purple squiggly lines on your pattern—these show you where to remove a layer of cardboard on the back of the part (flip the cardboard!).

3. Grab your Scoring Tool

Grab your Scoring Tool to help you separate the layers easily.

4. Insert between layers

Carefully stick the Scoring Tool between the layers of cardboard.

5. Split layers

Gently angle the Scoring Tool to start pulling apart the layers.

6. Remove surface

Use your hands to peel the cardboard layers apart, stripping the front layer for yellow sections and back layer for purple sections.

You're done!

Your pattern is all prepped. Now you’re ready to start assembling your project!

Your first project

Rocketship

Put your new skills to the test by building your very own Rocket Ship! This project brings together everything you've learned about your tools.

VIEW LESSON

Review Your Tools

Can you find these tools in the toolbox below?

Click on each one to learn more

ChompSaw

The ChompSaw is your ultimate tool for transforming cardboard into amazing creations. Designed to make cutting easy, safe, and fun, you’ll be building your next invention in no time. Let’s get chomping!

LEARN MORE

Fence Guide

Want to cut even width strips? Well that's where the fence guide comes in! It makes cutting straight lines a breaze.

LEARN MORE

Angle Guide

The angle guide allows you to cut precise angles. Learn more by clicking here!

LEARN MORE

Circle Guide

Perfect circles can be a challenge, but with the circle guide they are as easy as π!

LEARN MORE

Hole Punch

Your Hole Punch is the perfect tool for drilling holes of different sizes so you can make cuts from the middle of your cardboard, connect pieces, and add fun details to your projects.

LEARN MORE

Scoring Tool

Your go-to tool for creating folds and creases in cardboard, the Scoring Tool makes it easy to bend your designs into any shape you want!

LEARN MORE

Pattern Guide

Learn the different pattern symbols and what each means

Cut Lines

Draw & align boxes

Holes

Valley Folds

Mountain Folds

Double-sided tape on front

Double-sided tape on back

Single-sided tape on front

Single-sided tape on back

Remove surface on front

Remove surface on back

Pattern letters

Paper cut lines

Flute direction

Learn the basics

1. Color in your pattern

2. Cut out paper parts

Tip: Leave some space!

3. Glue the back

4. Stick to cardboard

Tip: Follow the flute!

1. Look for green circles

2. Choose your hole size

3. Align hole punch

4. Punch hole

1. Look for black cut lines

2. Cut on the lines

Tip: Cut inside shapes

3. Place the hole

4. Cut your design

5. Rotate cardboard

1. Look for red dashed lines

2. Fold into valleys

3. Look for blue dashed lines

4. Fold into mountains

1. Look for yellow checkered sections

2. Look for yellow diamond plate sections

Tip: Peel off paper

3. Tape on the front

4. Look for purple checkered sections

5. Look for purple diamond plate sections

6. Flip the cardboard

7. Tape on the back

1. Look for yellow squiggly lines

2. Look for purple squiggly lines

3. Grab your Scoring Tool

4. Insert between layers

5. Split layers

6. Remove surface

You're done!

Your first project

Rocketship

Review Your Tools

ChompSaw

Fence Guide

Angle Guide

Circle Guide

Hole Punch

Scoring Tool