Start with the easiest flexagon to fold, then make it your own. These three black-and-white printable patterns are ready to color, rubber stamp, illustrate, or personalize with photographs. Together, the three faces create twelve square panels that can become a short story, a hidden-message mini-book, a greeting card, a photo keepsake, or a one-of-a-kind handmade gift. Fold and flex the finished paper square to reveal each new scene and surprise.
Choose the printable pattern that best matches your project. The Plain sheet includes a blank pattern and a Coloring and Face Guide to help plan artwork across the three completed faces. The Numbered sheet prints the face numbers directly on the pattern for the easiest folding and assembly. The Labeled Guide identifies every square section, making it easy to plan the placement of drawings, rubber stamping, photographs, clip art, or text so each of the three faces appears exactly as you intended after folding.
Each pattern is a PDF file that prints on standard Letter/A4 paper.
Download and print the pattern sheet of your choice.
Tip: For the three faces of your tri-tetraflexagon, create three connected scenes, tell a story in three parts, or hide a surprise that's revealed only when the flexagon is flexed.
Optional: Color the pattern before cutting it out. The Numbered pattern and the Coloring and Face Guide included with the Plain pattern show which squares belong to each of the three completed faces of the flexagon. Color or decorate the matching numbered squares alike, or use the guide as a reference while creating your own artwork for each face.
Tip: Leave the glue tabs uncolored.
Optional: Use the Labeled Guide to accurately size and position drawings, rubber stamping, photographs, clip art, or text before assembling the flexagon. Full-size photographs, illustrations, or other artwork can be cut into four equal squares and glued in place.
Tip: Each of the four square sections of a face are labeled with the face number and section location: ul (upper-left), ll (lower-left), ur (upper-right), lr (lower-right).
Cut out the pattern carefully along the outside outline.
Tip: Straight, accurate cuts make folding and flexing much easier.
Fold the pattern in half and glue the two layers together to make it double thickness. After the glue has set, score and fold along the fold lines between squares.
Tip: Scoring the fold lines helps create crisp folds that flex smoothly. To score a line, draw a bone folder or empty ballpoint pen along a ruler placed on the fold line.
The following assembly instructions use the face numbers shown on the Numbered pattern and the Coloring and Face Guide.
Place the doubled pattern with the squares numbered 3-3-1 up and to your left (Fig. 1). Fold over on the line between the two number 3 squares so they are face to face. Fold back on the line between squares numbered 1 and 2 (Fig. 2) to form a square with three squares numbered 1 (Fig. 3). Bring the remaining square numbered 1 forward from behind the glue tab (*) square (Fig. 4) and glue the two tabs (*) together (Fig. 5). Allow the glue to dry before flexing.
With the side of the flexagon numbered 1 facing up, fold the flexagon in half vertically with the squares numbered 2 on the inside of the fold. Gently part the flexagon along the fold line to reveal the number 3 face while the number 2 face folds inside the flexagon.
Flip the flexagon over so the number 1 face is up, and repeat the flexing process to reveal the number 2 face again.
Tip: If the hidden face doesn't open easily, flatten the flexagon and fold it in half from the opposite direction before flexing again.
Tip: For more details, variations, and additional patterns, visit the Tri-tetraflexagons to Make page.
Plan Your Artwork
Tip: Use the Labeled Guide to size and position illustrations, stamped designs, or picture cutouts before assembling your tri-tetraflexagon. The labeled square sections make it easy to align artwork across each completed face. Each face has four square sections that are labeled with their positions: ul (upper-left), ll (lower-left), ur (upper-right), lr (lower-right).
Decorate All Three Faces
Tip: The Coloring and Face Guide shows which squares belong to each completed face. Color, stamp, or draw on matching numbered squares to create designs for each face of the flexagon. Add a secret message or a surprise to face number 3, the hidden third face.
More Tri-Tetraflexagon Patterns
Tip: Visit Tri-tetraflexagons craft project for ready-to-print color patterns, themed designs, decorating ideas, detailed assembly instructions, and creative ways to use this interactive paper square.
Tri-hexaflexagons
Tip: Looking for another easy flexagon? Print a Tri-hexaflexagon to create a three-faced hexagon that flexes in a different way.
