SnipFold

Regular Dodecahedron

Twelve exact regular pentagonal panels, 30 matched integral-tab seams, and an accessible final cap.

Materials

  • 160-180 gsm paper
  • Scissors or craft knife
  • Ruler and blunt scoring tool
  • PVA glue
  • Pencil
  • Low-tack tape
  • Blunt narrow backing tool

Finished size: 78.54 x 78.54 x 78.54 mm; edge 30 mm

Steps

CutValley foldMountain foldGlue area

  1. Cut and identify all seams

    Print at 100%; check the 50 mm ruler and a 30 mm pentagon edge. Cut 12 panels including every tab. Each printed ID lists five seam codes: start with the horizontal bottom edge, then go counterclockwise on the printed side. T means integral tab, R means receiving edge. Transfer the codes lightly in pencil beside the corresponding edges before separating pieces from their labels. Match equal numbers only, T to R. Keep the printed side outside.

  2. Score the measured tab folds

    Score each 30 mm tab base, not the tab perimeter. Mountain-fold all tabs away from the printed outside by 63.43495 degrees from flat; the interior face-to-face angle is 116.56505 degrees. Tabs are 5 mm deep with 5 mm taper at both ends. Main pentagons remain completely flat; never bend, stretch, or trim a face to force a fit.

  3. Place F01

    Start with this flat pentagon as the first panel. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  4. Place F02

    Join seams 03 to F01. Apply a thin film of PVA to the tab outside surface and tuck it under the matching receiving edge; align the 30 mm endpoints with no face overlap. Pinch from both sides through the open shell until set. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  5. Place F03

    Join seams 02 to F01, 01 to F02. Apply a thin film of PVA to the tab outside surface and tuck it under the matching receiving edge; align the 30 mm endpoints with no face overlap. Pinch from both sides through the open shell until set. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  6. Place F04

    Join seams 06 to F01. Apply a thin film of PVA to the tab outside surface and tuck it under the matching receiving edge; align the 30 mm endpoints with no face overlap. Pinch from both sides through the open shell until set. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  7. Place F05

    Join seams 05 to F04, 04 to F01, 26 to F03. Apply a thin film of PVA to the tab outside surface and tuck it under the matching receiving edge; align the 30 mm endpoints with no face overlap. Pinch from both sides through the open shell until set. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  8. Place F06

    Join seams 07 to F02, 27 to F01, 11 to F04. Apply a thin film of PVA to the tab outside surface and tuck it under the matching receiving edge; align the 30 mm endpoints with no face overlap. Pinch from both sides through the open shell until set. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  9. Place F07

    Join seams 09 to F02, 08 to F06. Apply a thin film of PVA to the tab outside surface and tuck it under the matching receiving edge; align the 30 mm endpoints with no face overlap. Pinch from both sides through the open shell until set. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  10. Place F08

    Join seams 29 to F07, 10 to F06, 12 to F04. Apply a thin film of PVA to the tab outside surface and tuck it under the matching receiving edge; align the 30 mm endpoints with no face overlap. Pinch from both sides through the open shell until set. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  11. Place F09

    Join seams 17 to F05, 15 to F03. Apply a thin film of PVA to the tab outside surface and tuck it under the matching receiving edge; align the 30 mm endpoints with no face overlap. Pinch from both sides through the open shell until set. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  12. Place F10

    Join seams 14 to F09, 13 to F03, 25 to F02, 20 to F07. Apply a thin film of PVA to the tab outside surface and tuck it under the matching receiving edge; align the 30 mm endpoints with no face overlap. Pinch from both sides through the open shell until set. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  13. Place F11

    Join seams 28 to F04, 16 to F05, 18 to F09, 22 to F08. Apply a thin film of PVA to the tab outside surface and tuck it under the matching receiving edge; align the 30 mm endpoints with no face overlap. Pinch from both sides through the open shell until set. Keep every seam to an unplaced panel dry. Leave F12 off for interior access; let each joint hold before adding the next panel.

  14. Check the open shell and final cap

    Through the F12 opening, press and inspect all 25 completed seams; allow them to dry fully. Dry-fit the tab-free F12 onto its five matching inward-folded tabs. All five 30 mm edges must meet without gaps, stretching, or buckling. The opening is the only remaining access; do not glue the cap yet.

  15. Close F12 in accessible stages

    Glue two adjacent receiving tabs first, seat F12 and hold the other three edges slightly open. Use a blunt narrow tool through the unglued gap to back the first joints while pressing outside. After they set, apply glue to two more tabs with the tool, keeping the last seam open for backing access. Withdraw the tool, apply glue sparingly to the last tab, and close it. Bridge the final seam with low-tack tape while it dries; support the cured shell without crushing it. Remove tape only after fully dry. No internal tool is left inside.

Notes

The 3D model shows each piece in its finished, idealized shape; the exploded view only spreads the pieces apart. It is not a paper-physics simulation: curved shapes are forming guides, not exact physical folding or proof of developability, and intermediate fold shapes are not supplied.