Paper cutting is the world’s best known ignored medium according to Beatrice Coron, a French artist and a master paper cutter.  It finds it origin in China around the year 100 B.C.

Since paper has high a price during the early centuries, it became popular first in the royal palaces and houses of nobility. Paper cutting became a popular hobby for court ladies.  This craft later became popular during folk festivals.  It became part of the Chinese daily lives in the 13th centuries.  This inexpensive and easy craft spread all over Europe and Middle East in the 14th century.

Paper cut art is used in interior decorating.  It serves as decorations on walls and windows. There are two methods of paper cutting: scissors cutting and knife cutting.  The principle of scissors cutting is to cut one time with sharp, pointed scissors up to seven layer or sheets of rice paper. In Knife paper cutting, you can do considerably more cuttings in one operation.

Today, this craft is more realized by professional artists. It became more popular because it can be done by anybody by practice and the materials to be used are simple and cheap. 

Here are some examples of paper cut art:

Banners and Little Flags

            In making papel picado of banners and flags are the same.  Fold in half stack of rectangular tissue with a pattern attached using a paper clip.  Using scissors or craft knife cut away areas of paper.  Each piece is ironed then hung on string or glued.  Easy flower banner or Easy flower bag are the best project for beginners.  For papel picado, single layers of tissue paper are use.  For a sturdier banner or flag, use two pieces of tissue paper with adhesive sprayed on it. 

Materials:

Banners – 12” x 18” colored tissue paper (3 double sheets)
Flags - 9” x 12” colored tissue paper (3 double sheets)
16 to 18 inches long dowel cut in 1/8 inches diameter (for each flag)
Banners – strings
Paper clips
Small scissors
Craft knife
Puncher
Cutting mat
Iron
Adhesive spray
Glue stick

Steps: 

1. Choose a pattern and enlarge it.
2. Fold in half width wise double sheets of tissue paper.  Attach it with paper clips, lining up the center line of the pattern with the folded center line of the paper.
3. Cut with scissors the middle fold line.
4. Using scissors cut along the dotted lines the stack of tissue paper.
5. To cut tricky shapes, use a craft knife.

Banners

1. Cut the border.  If desired, you can decorate it by punching holes along the borders.
2. Remove the pattern.  Using an iron in hot setting, iron the banner between two pieces of tissue paper.
3. Glue the completed banners to a string. Apply the glue one inch from the top across each banner.  Arrange and fold the top of the banner over the string. Let it dry.

Flags

1. Cut the scalloped edge of the folded flags. Cut the scalloped edge of the top three sheets.  This leaves a straight edge on one side of each of the three flags.
2. Using a puncher, make holes on the scalloped edges.
3. Iron each flag between two sheets of tissue paper.  Put glue to the scalloped flap and place the dowel along the edge of the paper and roll.