How to Make a Miniature City

Creating a miniature city out of paper can be an incredibly rewarding and creative project. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to make your own paper diorama city, using Ixia Diorama Districts as a base.

Design

First, decide on the scale, style, and composition of your city. The Ixia Diorama Districts series offers a fantastic starting point, with basic elements available for free.

Additionally, you can utilize ready-made projects from Ixia releases, that includes step-by-step instructions.

Paper

Choosing the right paper is crucial. You can use anything from standard office paper to 200 g/m² thick paper. Office paper, while easier to cut, is quite thin and may result in soft, light-transparent designs. On the other hand, thicker paper is more challenging to assemble but yields opaque and sturdier elements.

All Ixia sets have been tested with both 70 g/m² office paper and 200 g/m² thick paper. Opt for matte, non-glossy paper that bends well without cracking. Avoid coated paper, as it can develop surface cracks when folded.

Printing

For best results, use a color printer. You can print at home using a regular inkjet printer or visit a print shop—just specify the required paper type. If you prefer black and white compositions or plan to paint your models, Ixia kits include templates for black and white printing. If you choose to paint, acrylic paints are recommended, and thicker paper (200 g/m²) should be used to prevent softening.

Tools

You'll need the following tools to build your diorama:

Scissors

Glue 

A glue stick or your preferred type of paper glue.

Scoring Stick 

A modeling point stylus with a suitable tip size, or any appropriate object like a non-writing ballpoint pen, a stack of play dough, or a knitting needle.

Ruler 
Use in conjunction with the scoring stick.

A craft mat is also advisable for scoring, and tweezers can be useful for handling small parts.

Assembly steps

If you’re working with an Ixia diorama kit, follow the provided instructions to ensure a smooth assembly process. Here are the general steps:

  1. Print
    Print the templates at home or at a print shop.
  2. Cut
    Pre-cut the pieces with a margin, then cut along the contour.
  3. Score
    Use a blunt stick and ruler to create precise fold lines. Scoring is crucial for making even folds and achieving a neat diorama.
  4. Pre-Fold
    Pre-fold the pieces to understand what the assembled element will look like and plan the sequence of gluing.
  5. Glue
    Ixia templates mark the convenient starting points for assembly.
    Places for gluing are marked with icon 
    Start assembling the element from the place marked with the pink icon 

By following these steps and using the recommended materials, you'll be able to create a detailed and attractive miniature city diorama.


Training. Let's make simple composition with Districts Elements

For example, we will create some composition with a house and a car for training.

1. Download the PDF file on the page: 

Districts Series Basic Elements, Part 5: 2 Storey Houses with Gable Roof, Square Foundation

Choose Letter or A4 format. 
Letter paper size (11x8.5 inches) is a common paper size in North America. 
A4 paper size (297x210 mm) is the common format in other countries.


2. Print the sheet 1 and 2 on color printer


3. Cut the elements of the house.
Pre-cut the pieces with a margin, then cut along the contour. You need the elements that are marked with orange arrows in the picture.


4. Make score lines on paper

5. Pre-fold


6. Assemble the house with glue

7. Cut the roof covering, score, fold and install it on the house

8. Cut and assemble the dormer and install on the roof of the house (cut, score, prefold, glue)

9. Assemble the chimney element and install it on the roof of the house (cut, score, prefold, glue)


Here is assembled house

Add elements from the base set as well as their Ixia diorama releases. Modify and add your own elements. Build Your Miniature City with Paper.