Pattern Symbols

ChompShop patterns have color-coded symbols to show you what to do with each part. Here’s what they mean:

Draw & align boxes

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

Holes

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

Cut Lines

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

Valley Folds

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

Mountain Folds

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

Double-sided tape on front

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

Double-sided tape on back

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

Single-sided tape on front

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

Single-sided tape on back

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

Remove surface on front

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

Remove surface on back

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

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!