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Cut & fold

Flat Paper Seal

Make a flat upright seal with a broad head, two side flippers and a split hind-flipper end. One short scissors slit lets the two hind flippers fold independently. This is a cut-and-fold display model, not the fish-base seal or the earlier sea otter.

Preparation + 22 numbered steps

Materials

6-inch square · 6 × 6 inches

One 6 × 6-inch square (15.24 × 15.24 cm) of thin paper, a ruler, pencil and scissors. Optional pen for the face. Start with the intended finished color facing down. Help younger folders with the scissors. No glue.

Start the interactive guide ↓
Read all illustrated steps ↓Download PDF ↓ · one-page illustrated guide
Flat Paper Seal: An upright seal with side flippers and two folded hind flippers
An upright seal with side flippers and two folded hind flippers

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Preparation

The interactive guide needs JavaScript. Read every illustrated step below.

Camera only; does not change the fold.
Help · controls & diagram

Play or drag the progress slider to watch a fold from 0% to 100%. Use the view buttons or drag the diagram to look from another angle.

Blue and gold identify the original left and right halves. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange marks moving paper and its hinge. The red line in the cutting step is a real scissors slit; the final face is optional ink.

With the diagram focused: Space plays or pauses, ←/→ change steps, and Home resets.

Every step, at a glance

Compare your paper with each diagram after completing the action. Blue and gold identify the original left and right halves. Darker shades show the reverse. Orange marks moving paper and its hinge. The red line in the cutting step is a real scissors slit; the final face is optional ink.

  1. 0. Prepare the square
  2. 1. Crease the vertical diagonal
  3. 2. Open the diamond
  4. 3. Crease the horizontal diagonal
  5. 4. Open the cross guides
  6. 5. Fold the right side across
  7. 6. Return the right flipper
  8. 7. Fold the left side across
  9. 8. Return the left flipper
  10. 9. Fold down the head
  11. 10. Round the right head corner
  12. 11. Round the left head corner
  13. 12. Shape the right flipper edge
  14. 13. Shape the left flipper edge
  15. 14. Cut the short tail slit
  16. 15. Lift the left hind flipper
  17. 16. Return the left hind flipper
  18. 17. Lift the right hind flipper
  19. 18. Return the right hind flipper
  20. 19. Soften the right flipper tip
  21. 20. Soften the left flipper tip
  22. 21. Turn to the plain seal
  23. 22. Add an optional face
  1. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldPrepare the square

    PREPARATION · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Prepare the square

    Place the square as a diamond with its intended finished color facing down. Keep a ruler and scissors nearby.

    Layers: One square, not yet cut.

    Check: The top and bottom points line up.

    Explore this step ↑
  2. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCrease the vertical diagonal

    STEP 1 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Crease the vertical diagonal

    Bring the right point to the left point and press the center crease.

    Layers: Move the full right half.

    Check: The side points coincide.

    Explore this step ↑
  3. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldOpen the diamond

    STEP 2 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Open the diamond

    Unfold completely.

    Layers: Open the same half.

    Check: A vertical center guide remains.

    Explore this step ↑
  4. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCrease the horizontal diagonal

    STEP 3 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Crease the horizontal diagonal

    Bring the bottom point to the top point and crease across the middle.

    Layers: Move the full lower half.

    Check: The top and bottom points coincide.

    Explore this step ↑
  5. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldOpen the cross guides

    STEP 4 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Open the cross guides

    Return the sheet fully flat. Use the crossing as the ruler origin for the next marks.

    Layers: Open the same lower half.

    Check: Both diagonals are visible.

    Explore this step ↑
  6. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the right side across

    STEP 5 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Fold the right side across

    Measure 1.59 inches right of center. Fold the right corner inward along a vertical line through that mark.

    Layers: Move the entire right corner.

    Check: Its tip passes the center and stops 1.06 inches to the left.

    Explore this step ↑
  7. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldReturn the right flipper

    STEP 6 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Return the right flipper

    Mark a vertical line 0.66 inches right of center. Fold the inner tip of the right folded packet outward across this line.

    Layers: Move only the right packet inside the mark.

    Check: The returned tip projects to the right of the body.

    Explore this step ↑
  8. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold the left side across

    STEP 7 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Fold the left side across

    Repeat the inward fold on a vertical line 1.59 inches left of center.

    Layers: Move the complete left corner.

    Check: The new tip reaches 1.06 inches right of center.

    Explore this step ↑
  9. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldReturn the left flipper

    STEP 8 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Return the left flipper

    Fold the left packet outward on a vertical line 0.66 inches left of center.

    Layers: Move only the left folded packet.

    Check: Two matching flippers frame a long central body.

    Explore this step ↑
  10. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldFold down the head

    STEP 9 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Fold down the head

    Bring the top point down to the center crossing.

    Layers: Carry all layers of the top point.

    Check: A flat-topped head flap points down the front.

    Explore this step ↑
  11. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldRound the right head corner

    STEP 10 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Round the right head corner

    Mark 0.30 inches inward along each edge from the upper right head corner. Fold the small corner inward on the diagonal between the marks.

    Layers: Move the full small corner packet.

    Check: The right head corner is beveled.

    Explore this step ↑
  12. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldRound the left head corner

    STEP 11 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Round the left head corner

    Mirror the small diagonal fold on the left.

    Layers: Carry all layers in that corner.

    Check: The head has two matching short sloping corners.

    Explore this step ↑
  13. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldShape the right flipper edge

    STEP 12 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Shape the right flipper edge

    On the upper sloping edge of the right flipper, mark 0.35 inches inward from its outer tip. Fold the lower edge inward on the line from this mark to the lower inner root of the flipper.

    Layers: Move the returned flipper only; its lower inner root stays fixed.

    Check: A narrow folded margin follows the flipper’s lower edge.

    Explore this step ↑
  14. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldShape the left flipper edge

    STEP 13 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Shape the left flipper edge

    Make the matching diagonal edge fold on the left.

    Layers: Move only the returned left flipper.

    Check: Both side flippers have folded margins.

    Explore this step ↑
  15. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldCut the short tail slitScissors: 1.35 in slit · one layer · stop at mark

    STEP 14 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Cut the short tail slit

    Measure 1.35 inches up the center crease from the bottom tip and mark the stop. With scissors, cut from the bottom tip up to this mark only. Do not cut into the body above it.

    Layers: Cut the single layer at the pointed bottom. No paper is removed.

    Check: The two lower tips can now separate, but the body remains one connected sheet.

    Explore this step ↑
  16. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldLift the left hind flipper

    STEP 15 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Lift the left hind flipper

    Bring the left cut tip up to the lower inner root of the left side flipper. Press the diagonal crease without pulling on the uncut body.

    Layers: Move only the left cut half below the new hinge.

    Check: The tip meets the left flipper root; the right cut tip remains down.

    Explore this step ↑
  17. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldReturn the left hind flipper

    STEP 16 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Return the left hind flipper

    Mark the center line 0.10 inches above the top of the slit. Draw a guide through it rising 0.10 inches for every inch to the left. Fold only the lifted tail flap down and outward where this guide crosses it.

    Layers: Move the lifted left tail packet, not the connected body at the guide mark.

    Check: A triangular hind flipper projects down and left below the body.

    Explore this step ↑
  18. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldLift the right hind flipper

    STEP 17 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Lift the right hind flipper

    Bring the remaining cut tip up to the lower inner root of the right side flipper.

    Layers: Move only the right cut half. Keep the completed left hind flipper still.

    Check: The tip meets the right flipper root.

    Explore this step ↑
  19. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldReturn the right hind flipper

    STEP 18 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Return the right hind flipper

    Use the matching guide through the same center mark, rising 0.10 inches for every inch to the right. Fold the lifted flap down and outward.

    Layers: Move only the lifted right tail packet.

    Check: Two separate hind flippers project below the body.

    Explore this step ↑
  20. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldSoften the right flipper tip

    STEP 19 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Soften the right flipper tip

    At the height of the original center crossing, mark 1.90 inches to the right. Fold the outer tip inward on a line that leans slightly left as it rises: one quarter inch left for each inch up.

    Layers: Carry the complete outer flipper tip only.

    Check: The right side flipper is shorter and less pointed.

    Explore this step ↑
  21. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldSoften the left flipper tip

    STEP 20 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Soften the left flipper tip

    Mirror the last small fold on the left.

    Layers: Move the complete matching tip.

    Check: The two side flippers match.

    Explore this step ↑
  22. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldTurn to the plain seal

    STEP 21 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Turn to the plain seal

    Turn the entire model over from side to side. Keep the head at the top.

    Layers: Carry the head, body and all flippers together.

    Check: The plain front shows a broad head, two side flippers and a split hind-flipper end.

    Explore this step ↑
  23. END STATEOriginal left: blue · right: goldAdd an optional face

    STEP 22 · Mittsu no Origami Seal · measured cut-and-fold adaptation

    Add an optional face

    Draw two eyes, a small nose and short whiskers on the head if desired. Keep the paper flat for display.

    Layers: No paper moves; the face is optional ink.

    Check: The upright flat paper seal is complete.

    Explore this step ↑
Sources & notes

みっつのおりがみ (Mittsu no Origami), video tutorial publisher, かわいい♪アザラシの折り方 / Origami seal (2022).

Complete seal video (uses scissors) ↗

The video is published by みっつのおりがみ. Original model-design authorship and design-reuse permission have not been independently established. This guide does not claim traditional or public-domain status. No source footage, photographs, wording or code are reproduced; instructions, geometry, diagrams and pen face are original.

Adaptation: Based on the upright cut-and-fold seal in the complete video, not the fish-base seal or the raised-paw sea otter. Uses a 6-inch square instead of 150 mm. Ruler marks replace the video’s preliminary guide-fold sequence; the teaching orientation keeps the head at the top. The side pleats retain the source’s fractional layout. Small shaping folds and hind-flipper return angles use authored measurements. The single-layer slit is 1.35 inches long on this square (rounded), ending where the two hind-flipper hinges meet the center. Both tail halves fold upward and then return outward/down, making two attached hind flippers. Cutting is a discrete scissors step, not an animated paper fold. The optional face uses original pen marks; no swimming or standing claim.

Original instructions and diagrams, made with AI assistance. About & reuse

Accuracy notes

Real-paper follow-along and paper weight have not been tested. Diagrams illustrate the sequence, not paper thickness, contact, collisions or exact layer visibility.