Creative Collage Art Tutorial
Prepping Canvas, Playing with Pieces
By Chris Dunmire | Posted 6/1/05 | Updated 2/14/25
The printable Collage Cubie Templates will act as your collage canvas. I've engineered this design to work as simple as possible for the Cubie Construction. To prepare your template (canvas) for Collage Cubing, use the following steps.
Download and print the Collage Cubies "Box" Template onto thick paper or card stock. The template is available in two paper sizes: 8.5 x11" (smaller Cubie) or 11x17" (larger Cubie).
Cut out the Cubie template. For best results, use an X-ACTO or craft knife with a sharp blade and a corked metal ruler on a self-healing mat.
Using a ruler as a guide, lightly score the remaining printed "die-lines" on the inside of the box template.This will make folding and assembling the box easier later. ("Scoring" means dragging the blade lightly across the seam, being very careful not to cut all the way through.) Once this is done, your Cubie template is prepared and ready to be collage on.
Turn the Cubie template over (die-lines facing down) onto your working surface. Gather all of your collage elements together (decorative papers, torn fragments, magazine pieces, etc.), and ready your Mod-Podge or glue.
If you wish to experiment with collage concepts before gluing pieces down, this is the time to do it. I found it useful to prepare some of my collage elements ahead of time tearing out specific words, colors, shapes, and phrases while leaving the rest of the composition to impulsive randomness.
Take some time to arrange a variety of designs, themes, color, medias, and contrasting elements before committing to one specific design.
For some fun and creative collage ideas, see my other collage tutorials with a variety of mixed-media collage techniques.
Choose any wing on the template to begin collaging. How-to: Using a paintbrush or sponge, lightly coat a small area of the template with your adhesive and start constructing your collage. Repeat this process until the entire collage is finished. (A second coat of glue will be applied over the top later.)
TIPS: Leave the tabs of the template un-collaged, but don't let the other edges of the box limit your creativity. Go ahead and overlap the elements over the edge because they'll be trimmed flush later.
When your collage is finished, allow it to completely dry. Keep it on the flat surface while it dries.
After your collage is dry, turn it over and trim flush any excess paper elements overhanging the sides.
Turn the template over to the front and apply a second (light) coat of adhesive over the top of the collage. This will result in a desirable "decoupage" seal and keep any loose ends in the collage tacked down. Again, allow the collage to lay flat while the second coat of glue dries. (While you're waiting, start another Cubie!)
What it is.
What you'll need.
Your unique creative contribution.
Paperfold engineering.
Derivative, using the same wheel approach.