Paper material guide
Crepe paper
Crepe Paper: read the 112 to 144 gsm examples and handling notes. Folding, cutting and glue tips. Find craft uses, sheet sizes and weight equivalents.
112–144 gsmFolds: Soft pleatsBest for: Shaped flower petals
Crepe is paper gathered into fine wrinkles during manufacture. The wrinkles provide stretch across the ridges, so a petal can be cupped rather than folded flat.
- Typical weight
- 112–144 gsm
- US lb · calculated at the named basis
- 75.7–97.3 lb text equivalent (25 × 38 in, 500 sheets)
Weights to look for
Florist grades vary widely. Rossi lists its 140 g roll at 112 gsm and its 180 g roll at 144 gsm; the roll name is not its gsm. Lighter crepe is also sold.
Folding, creasing, cutting and gluing
- Fold
- Use loose gathers and pleats. Pulling across the ridges changes the shape; this makes it a different choice from flat origami paper.
- Crease
- A pressed crease can disappear as the wrinkles are stretched. Keep the ridges running along a petal from base to tip.
- Cut
- Cut petals with sharp scissors without pulling the paper tight. Align the ridges before cutting several pieces.
- Glue
- Use small dots of tacky PVA at petal bases. Too much wet glue can flatten the wrinkles; let a joint set before shaping.
What to make
Choose it for individually cut and shaped flower petals. Our layered tissue flower uses tissue instead; its pleating sequence is a useful introduction to flower making.
Common sheet and pack sizes
Florist crepe is sold in rolls, including 50 × 250 cm. Cut a short strip from the roll before marking petals.