Interactive Slider Card with Pull-Out Element

A project from our live show Create Together Club - 5 Days of Creativity - Broadcast Wednesday 24TH September 2025 · 24/09/2025 · watch it from 7:15

Create an interactive greeting card featuring a sliding mechanism that reveals a hidden message when pulled. The slider card uses a window aperture on the front with a coordinating pull-out element that moves smoothly in and out, creating an engaging and memorable card experience.

You will need

Tailored Threads - 020823ESEE IT

DOWNLOAD THIS GUIDE (PDF)

Step by step

1. Cut a piece of card stock to size using a guillotine or trimmer, choosing either portrait or landscape orientation. ▶ watch 12:00
2. Use a nesting rectangle die to cut a window aperture in your card base, selecting an appropriate size for your slider window. ▶ watch 13:15
3. Cut a second piece from the die-cut aperture to use as your slider element, ensuring it is slightly larger than the window opening. ▶ watch 15:30
4. Trim the slider piece down to create a panel that will pull smoothly through the window without flopping around. ▶ watch 17:30
5. Apply foam pads around the window aperture to create a raised channel for the slider to move through, leaving one edge open for the pull mechanism. ▶ watch 18:30
6. Place thin foam pads at the opposite end of the window to stop the slider from sliding out completely. ▶ watch 20:30
7. Glue your chosen image or element onto the slider piece, applying glue carefully to the edges only to avoid catching on the window sides. ▶ watch 27:15
8. Stamp a sentiment or message on the card base where it will be revealed when the slider is pulled out. ▶ watch 31:00
9. Double-pad your main focal image (such as a character) with foam pads so it sits at the correct height to interact with elements on the card base. ▶ watch 34:45
10. Fussy cut and layer decorative elements from your paper pad around the card to add dimension and interest to the front. ▶ watch 46:00
11. Heat emboss a final sentiment or phrase onto a decorative plaque using white embossing powder and a heat gun. ▶ watch 50:30
12. Adhere the embossed plaque to the card front with foam pads, then test that the slider moves smoothly without catching on any elements. ▶ watch 52:30

Tips from the show

• Make the slider piece slightly bigger than the actual hole so it doesn't look thin and ugly when pulled out.
• Don't be tight with your foam pads as it will show; use double pads to achieve the correct height and dimension.
• Leave one edge of the window open so you have access to pull the slider smoothly in and out.

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly