Some fun folds look impressive but feel intimidating. This one?
It’s the opposite.
The Z Panel Fun Fold Card is a simple twist on a traditional Z-fold that creates layers, movement, and visual interest—without complicated scoring or tricky assembly. Once you understand the structure, this fold becomes a go-to design that works for any style, any theme, and any skill level.
In today’s video tutorial, I walk you through the basic Z Panel Fun Fold step by step and then show you multiple ways to adapt it—from clean and simple to fully stepped-up WOW cards. Below, I’m breaking down each version so you can see just how versatile this fold really is.
Featured Card: Woolly Friends (Make Your Own DSP)
The featured card from the video uses the Woolly Friends stamp set and one of my favorite techniques: making your own background paper.
Instead of Designer Series Paper, I stamped directly onto cardstock to create a custom background. This is a fantastic option when:
- there’s no coordinating DSP available,
- you don’t have the “right” paper for your design, or
- you simply want more creative freedom.
The best part?
There’s no wrong way to do it.
Layering stamped images in different colors creates a look that’s completely unique every time. No two cards will ever be exactly the same—and that’s part of the magic. This technique works beautifully with the Z Panel Fun Fold because it allows the pattern to flow across the layers while still highlighting the focal image on the front panel.
A Round of Hellos: Flower Thank You Card
This cheerful thank you card uses Designer Series Paper, punched shapes, and a touch of Wink of Stella for sparkle.
Here, the DSP does the heavy lifting. The layered panels let the DSP shine without overwhelming the design, while the punched circles keeps the front clean and balanced. A bit of Wink of Stella on the stamped image adds just enough shine to catch the light without stealing the show.
This is a great example of how the fold works beautifully with:
- simple supplies
- minimal stamping
- quick, gift-ready cards
Banner Sayings Birthday Card (Masculine-Friendly!)
If you ever struggle with masculine cards, this one’s for you.
Using the Banner Sayings bundle paired with Nature Walk DSP, this card leans into deeper, earthy tones that feel strong without being dull. The front panel is dry embossed with the Lovely Stripes 3D Embossing Folder, adding texture and interest without extra layers.
That embossed panel is key—it gives the card depth while keeping the design clean and uncluttered. The Z Panel structure provides just enough movement to make the card feel special, even with a more restrained color palette.
Gliding Garden Swing: Landscape Orientation
One of the best things about this fold is that it’s not limited to portrait orientation.
For larger images, like Gliding Garden Swing, turning the fold sideways opens up a whole new set of possibilities. In this version:
- the leftmost panel is dry embossed for subtle texture,
- the design stays mostly black and white, and
- color is added sparingly with fussy-cut pillows.
That small pop of color draws the eye exactly where you want it—proof that sometimes less really is more. This is an elegant option when your stamped image deserves center stage.
Endless Love: Double Fun Fold WOW Card
Now for the stepped-up version.
This Endless Love card takes the Z Panel Fun Fold one step further by adding another fold on the inside. The inner layer is embossed with the Hearts of Love 3 D Embossing Folder for texture, and the front features fussy-cut hearts layered for dimension.
This is a true WOW card—the kind that makes people stop, open it again, and ask, “How did you do that?”
While it looks complex, it’s built on the same base structure as the simpler versions. Once you understand the fold, adding extra elements becomes a creative choice, not a challenge.
Want the Measurements?
All measurements for:
- the basic Z Panel Fun Fold
- the landscape version
- and the stepped-up double fun fold
are available in my Card Inspiration Library, which is exclusive to email subscribers.
If you love having measurements, diagrams, and inspiration sheets you can save and reuse, you’ll want access to the library.
Want to Shop the Supplies?
I’ve linked the products used for these cards on my online store so you can easily recreate any version that caught your eye—or put your own spin on it.
This Z Panel Fun Fold is one of those designs you’ll come back to again and again. Change the paper, flip the orientation, add an extra fold—or keep it simple. There’s no single “right” way to use it, and that’s what makes it such a powerful design tool.
If you try this fold, I’d love to hear which version is your favorite.
Stay crafty,
Judy 💚