Traditional Origami Cup

Some folds are just fun; others teach you a move you'll reuse forever. The traditional origami cup is the latter. It looks like a tiny paper drinking cup, but what it really drills is the pocket fold — the same trick underneath boxes, trays, and so many 3D models. Don't expect to hold water (it's a 2D version), expect to level up. Grab a square sheet, and let's fold something that quietly makes every future project easier.

This page is for anyone who wants instructions to fold the traditional origami cup.

The traditional origami cup is a 2D version of a paper cup, so you can't put water in it. But it's a great model for learning how to make a pocket fold.

Before trying this model, you should know what a valley-fold and a mountain-fold are. If you're comfortable with those two techniques, you'll have no trouble making the cup.

If you're ready, let's get started.

You can use any kind of paper to fold the origami cup. It's a little easier if the front and back of the paper differ slightly, whether in texture or color.

Make sure your paper is a square (all sides equal, all angles 90°). The sheet I'm using here is 15cm × 15cm single-side-colored origami paper.

This is the front of the paper. I'm using single-side-colored paper.