Preliminary Base

This short tutorial teaches the classic Preliminary Base, also known as the Square Base. You’ll first mark the center and diagonals, then collapse the sheet along the creases to form a neat square with layered flaps. Mastering this base makes many traditional origami models easier and cleaner.

Materials Needed:

1 square sheet of paper (about 15×15 cm)

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Instructions

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow detailed visual guides with clear images showing each fold, crease, and technique to create beautiful origami models

Fold and Unfold to Mark the Center

Place the paper with the colored side down. Fold top to bottom and unfold. Fold left to right and unfold to create a cross at the center.

TipMatch the corners carefully so the center mark is exact.

Fold and Unfold to Mark the Center

Place the paper with the colored side down. Fold top to bottom and unfold. Fold left to right and unfold to create a cross at the center.

Fold Diagonals and Flip

Flip the paper to the other side and rotate to a diamond. Fold one diagonal and unfold. Repeat with the other diagonal and unfold to make an “X”.

TipRun a finger along the entire crease to make it sharp.

Fold Diagonals and Flip

Flip the paper to the other side and rotate to a diamond. Fold one diagonal and unfold. Repeat with the other diagonal and unfold to make an “X”.

Push the Center Inward

With the diamond in front of you, gently press the center where the folds meet so the paper begins to collapse along the creases.

TipLet the existing folds guide the movement.

Push the Center Inward

With the diamond in front of you, gently press the center where the folds meet so the paper begins to collapse along the creases.

Bring Side Corners to the Bottom

Fold the left and right corners down toward the bottom point, following the diagonals so the edges meet neatly at the center.

TipKeep the tips aligned for a tidy shape.

Bring Side Corners to the Bottom

Fold the left and right corners down toward the bottom point, following the diagonals so the edges meet neatly at the center.

Collapse and Flatten

Guide the top layer inward along the creases and press flat to form a smaller square.

TipSmooth outward from the center to remove air bubbles.

Collapse and Flatten

Guide the top layer inward along the creases and press flat to form a smaller square.

Preliminary Base Complete

You now have the classic Preliminary (Square) Base: a clean square with layered flaps ready for the next steps in many models.

TipCheck that all layers are even before moving on to other folds.

Preliminary Base Complete

You now have the classic Preliminary (Square) Base: a clean square with layered flaps ready for the next steps in many models.

video

Video Tutorial

Follow along with our detailed video tutorial to learn how to fold your origami. This step-by-step guide makes each fold easy to understand and fun to follow!