Description
Popup Card Generator Beginner’s Guide
An online tool for creating 3D pop-up cards. Simply enter text and choose a style, and it will automatically generate SVG files ready for use with a laser cutting machine. After cutting and folding, you can create a greeting card where the text pops up when opened.
1. Interface Overview
After opening the tool, the interface is divided into three sections:
| Area | Location | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Style Presets | Left | 5 ready-made templates that can be applied with one click |
| Preview Area | Center | Switch between 3D Preview (3D effect) and Export Preview (cutting layout) from the top |
| Control Panel | Right | Adjust all parameters here. The Export button is located at the bottom |
2. Get Started in 3 Steps
Choose a template: Click a template on the left (such as Merry & Bright). The 3D effect will appear instantly in the center preview.
Edit text: In the POP-UP TEXT input box on the right, replace the content with your desired text (short phrases with 1–2 lines and all caps usually work best).
Export: Click Export (or Export SVG) in the bottom-right corner to download popup-card.svg, then send it to a laser cutting machine.
You can also start from scratch: simply adjust the parameters on the right and the preview will update in real time.
3. Parameter Details (Right Control Panel)
You can switch units at the top: mm (millimeters) / inch (inches).
CARD (Card Body)
| Parameter | Description | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Width | The width of the folded card (the center fold runs along the width direction) | 80–300 mm |
| Height | The height of the folded card (the unfolded paper is twice this height) | 60–300 mm |
| Inner margin | Width of the cover-color border visible around the inner page | 3–15 mm |
| Cover color | Color of the outer cover paper | Color picker |
| Paper color | Color of the inner pop-up paper layer | Color picker |
POP-UP TEXT (Pop-up Text)
| Parameter | Description | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Text | The pop-up text. Supports line breaks; each line will be welded into one solid 3D letter block | Multi-line text |
| Font | 4 bold fonts: Alfa Slab One / Bungee / Anton / Luckiest Guy | Dropdown selection |
| Text height | Height of the raised text block (limited by card size to ensure it can fold flat inside the card) | 15–200 mm |
| Pop-out depth | Distance the text extends forward from the back panel (also the depth of the support platform above the text) | 4–40 mm |
| Letter spacing | Spacing between letters (percentage). Negative values make letters overlap and merge into one solid piece | -15% – 30% |
| Line gap | Vertical spacing between text lines. Negative values make lines overlap and connect together | -15 – 20 mm |
💡 Key point: The 3D text must be "connected as one solid piece" to stand firmly. If letters are separated, reduce letter spacing / line gap to negative values, or switch to a thicker font.
4. Preview Area Operations
3D Preview
Drag: Rotate the viewing angle
Scroll wheel: Zoom in/out
Bottom slider: Adjust the card opening angle (0°–90°)
Close card button: Fold the card closed with one click to check whether it can fully flatten
Export Preview
Displays the final two paper layouts for cutting
Bottom-right + / − / ⤢ buttons: Zoom in / zoom out / fit to window
5. Export and Laser Cutting
Click Export to download an SVG file containing two paper layouts placed side by side:
Left: Inner page (including pop-up text + fold lines)
Right: Cover (with a center fold line)
The drawing uses different colors to indicate processing methods:
| Color | Line Type | Meaning | Processing Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🔴 Red solid line | Solid line | Outline, cut through | VECTOR_CUTTING |
| 🔵 Blue dashed line | Dashed line | Fold line, scoring/engraving for easier folding | VECTOR_ENGRAVING |
Import the SVG into laser cutting software: set red lines to cutting and blue lines to engraving/scoring.
Assembly
Cut out the inner page and cover separately.
Fold along the blue fold lines (the pop-up text will automatically stand upright).
Glue the inner page onto the inside of the cover, leaving the Inner margin border visible around the edges.
6. Understanding Warning Messages ⚠
When a yellow warning appears in the preview area, follow these solutions:
| Warning | Cause & Solution |
|---|---|
| Text height was reduced… | The text was too tall and would extend outside the card when folded flat. It has been automatically reduced. Decrease text height or increase card size. |
| Pop-out depth was reduced… | The pop-out depth was too large to fold flat. It has been automatically reduced. |
| Text height is limited by the card width… | The text is limited by the card width. Shorten the text or make the card wider. |
| Some letters are not connected… | Letters are not connected into one piece. Reduce letter spacing / line gap (use negative values) or switch to a bolder font. |
| The text barely reaches the bottom fold… | The text barely reaches the bottom fold line and may not stand firmly. Increase text height or use a thicker font. |
7. Tips
Reset ↺: Restore default settings with one click in the top-right corner.
Undo / Redo: Ctrl/Cmd + Z to undo, Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + Z to redo.
Shorter text and thicker fonts make it easier to create a solid connected structure and improve stability.
For quick testing: apply a template first, then only adjust text and colors.