Beautiful Japanese Style Fan Gift Wrap Technique How-To

Beautiful Japanese Style Fan Gift Wrap, have you seen examples of these? This looks like it would be difficult but it is really quite simple. If you can wrap a package, you can use this simple fan gift wrap technique to take your gift wrapping up a notch.

I especially like this technique because the gift is placed upright on the wrapping paper. Then, the fan is just taped over top of the opposite loose end.

For this project, you will need gift wrap, coordinating or contrasting paper, scissors, clear Scotch tape, and double-sided tape.

Fan Gift Wrap

First, you need to cut a piece of wrapping paper as long as the length of the box, and the height of both of the box ends plus 1-inch. (The extra 1-inch is for folding back the cut edge on each end.)

Wrap the gift paper around the width of the box and add about 10 inches extra for pleats about 1-1/4 inches wide. If you want thicker pleats, you’ll have to increase the extra amount. (Measurement of the front, back, and two sides of the gift + 10-inches.)

Before you start the next step, if the gift wrap paper has an obvious 'upright' or one-way pattern, you will want to be sure the paper is facing the right direction now.  Turn it over and be sure the right end is at the top of the gift.  (I won't confess how I know this cautionary tip.)

You will also need some pretty coordinating paper, textured paper, or tissue paper.

Lay the gift wrap right side down and place the tissue paper right side down on top of the gift wrap paper. The front side of the tissue paper should face the back of the gift wrap paper.

Fold up the loose edges of the wrapping paper and the tissue paper. This is where the pleating will be.

You need to decide if you want the fan on the right side or left side of your box. If you want the fan to be on the right and face toward the left side of the box, you need to start this fold on the right side of the tissue paper as in the picture. The package with the silverware above has an opening on the right side. That is where the fan will be and hopefully, no one will grab the package there!

When you unfold the papers, you should have 6 creased lines.

Cut off the right top corner starting from the middle of the right edge and angling to the line of the 5th fold. (If you want the fan coming from the left side of the box, you will want to cut off the left top corner.) You don’t really need a ruler for this but the ruler helps hold the papers down when you are folding, cutting, or taking pictures!

Slide the tissue paper about 1/2-inch above the gift wrapping paper. Then, fold the first fold under.

Pull up the second crease with your thumb and forefinger. Fan out the top side with the tissue paper while pulling the fold over and just past the first fold.

Repeat this step for the third and fourth fold. You should end up with a fan look.

Fold the fifth fold under one-quarter-inch all along the crease toward the previous fold.

Fold the sixth fold under one-quarter-inch in the opposite direction away from the previous folds.

Flip the paper over and using Scotch tape, secure the pleats on the backside.

Lay the gift wrap right side down on the table and position the gift on top of the paper. Place the fan side in the desired position. Pull the left side of the paper up over the gift. You want it to completely cover the top of the gift. Trim if necessary. Tape the edge down.

Using your thumb and forefinger, flare the edges of the folds upward to accentuate the folds.

Place double-sided tape under the fan shape and place it over the top of the gift wrap covering the top. Be sure to finish the ends with the top flap facing downward. Click here► for how to finish the ends of the box.

Choose a ribbon to wrap over the bar created by the last two folds and make a beautiful bow. Click here► for complete directions for how to make a bow.

This fan gift wrap method is so pretty. I love it but to add an extra touch, I scanned the paper gift wrap. Then, using PicMonkey, I created a matching small gift card.

Gold thread is threaded through a small hole to coordinate with the gold bow. (We are a PicMonkey affiliate and may receive a small commission if you upgrade through this link. Thanks for supporting this website!)

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