How to make a desktop model from card and foamboard

A finished card model of a two-storey building front with window and stonework details

A guide to desktop modelling in card and foamboard: setting out, cutting, gluing and adding card details.

A finished card model of a two-storey building front with window and stonework details

Card modelling

Setting out the elevations

First, draw the different elements of your design that will make up the three-dimensional model. If you draw them on a computer, you can easily add extra details such as brickwork, window frames and colours.

Gluing paper to card with spray mount

Use spray mount as a contact adhesive.

  1. Spray 2 or 3 light, even coats of spray mount onto the back of the paper and onto the board, and let the glue become touch dry.
  2. Apply the paper to the board, working from one end and smoothing out any trapped air.

Spraying the back of a printed elevation with spray mount, then smoothing it onto the board

Cutting

  1. Place the card on a cutting mat.
  2. Stand up and place the ruler on top of the elevation, so that you are cutting on the waste side. Hold the ruler firmly on the board, keeping your fingers away from the cutting edge.
  3. Hold the scalpel, with a sharp new blade, vertical and fairly upright, so your cut leaves a right angle between the top surface and the cut edge.
  4. Cut through the top layer of the board, then repeat several times until you have cut all the way through.

You will get a better cut, and are much less likely to cut yourself, with a sharp blade and gentle cuts than by trying to cut all the way through in one go.

Four steps of cutting a card elevation against a steel rule on a cutting mat

Gluing card to card with PVA

  1. Run a thin line of PVA glue along one of the edges of the card.
  2. Carefully place the edges of the card together.
  3. Hold for about 15 seconds, until the joint holds.
  4. Leave for about 15 minutes for the glue to set.
  5. Repeat until the model is complete.

Running a thin line of PVA glue along the edge of a card elevation

Placing two card edges together, holding them, and the finished card box

Foamboard modelling

Cutting out the elevations

Cut out the elevations as described for card, but take extra care that the scalpel is held absolutely vertical, so the edge is at a right angle to the front face.

Gluing foamboard edge to edge with UHU

Use UHU All Purpose as a contact adhesive.

  1. Run the glue down one edge of the joint.
  2. Touch the glued edge onto the other edge and quickly pull them apart.
  3. Allow the glue to become touch dry on both sides.
  4. Firmly place the edges back together to form a strong joint.

Gluing two foamboard elevations edge to edge with UHU All Purpose

A stronger and neater edge joint

  1. Using one of the foamboard pieces as a guide, mark the thickness of the foamboard on the back of the other board.
  2. Holding the ruler firmly, gently cut through the back surface of the card and the foam, but not the front surface of the card.
  3. Gently run the scalpel along the inside edge of the front face of the card.
  4. Remove the cut piece.
  5. With the foamboard on a flat surface, run the scalpel along the back surface of the cut edge to remove the last bits of foam.

Five steps of marking and cutting away the back card and foam along the edge of a foamboard piece

Then glue it:

  1. Run the glue along the cut edges of the foamboard that you removed the piece from.
  2. Put the foamboard pieces together as described above.
  3. Pull them apart and allow the glue to become touch dry.
  4. Put them together and apply firm pressure to form a strong joint.

This gives a stronger joint, because there are two gluing surfaces, and a neater one, because the foam edge is covered.

Gluing the cut edge with UHU, then pressing the corner together so the front card covers the foam

Adding card details

The card model before its window and stonework details are added

Cutting out the details

Print details such as window frames and stonework onto thick paper or card. Carefully cut out the details, always cutting towards the waste side of the design if possible. Remove the waste card slowly, making sure the details have been completely cut out.

Cutting printed window and stonework details out of card on a cutting mat

Gluing the details onto the model

Run a line of PVA glue along the card. Then, with a paint brush, paint the glue thinly and evenly over the back of the card detail. Carefully put the detail in place on the model and push down firmly once it is positioned correctly. Repeat with the other details to build up a more detailed model.

Brushing PVA onto the back of a card detail and pressing it onto the model

What you need