Hollow Knight Papercraft Set: A Beginner's Build Guide
By Fangamer - Video game shirts, plushes, books, and more. | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: How-to Guides
Build the four-figure Hollow Knight Papercraft Set without tearing tabs or smudging ink. A step-by-step papercraft build guide for beginners, from setup to final folds.
Quick answer
Build the Hollow Knight Papercraft Set on a clean, flat surface with a dull craft knife, a scoring tool, tweezers, and a glue that dries clear. Score every fold line before folding, dry-fit each piece before gluing, and work one figure at a time. Start with the grub, then the Knight, Quirrel, and Hornet.
What you need before you start
The set includes four DIY papercraft figures: The Knight, a grub, Quirrel, and Hornet. Assembly instructions and videos are provided, so read or watch them once before cutting anything. The paper is pre-printed, so once a tab is creased the wrong way or a fold line is torn, that piece is hard to fix cleanly.
- Dull craft knife or scalpel for cutting
- Scoring tool or empty ballpoint pen for fold lines
- Tweezers for small tabs
- Clear-drying craft glue and a toothpick for applying it
- Clean, flat work surface with good lighting
Why the build order matters
The grub is the simplest shape, so it teaches you how the tabs and fold lines behave before you reach the Knight or Hornet. Quirrel and Hornet have more narrow parts, which are harder to hold and easier to crush if your glue is still wet. Building in order from simple to complex keeps your early mistakes from ruining the figures you care about most.
How to keep folds and glue clean
Score first, fold second, glue last. A scored line folds where you want it; an unscored line buckles and leaves a white crease across the printed art. Use only a small dot of glue on each tab, press for a few seconds, and let each joint set before moving the figure. If glue squeezes out, wipe it immediately with a clean toothpick rather than your finger.
When to stop and let it dry
Papercraft figures are hollow, so they stay soft until the glue cures. After the last tab on a figure is closed, set it down and leave it alone. Do not stand it up, pose it, or move it to a shelf while the joints are still flexible. Giving each figure time to dry is the difference between a crisp model and a lopsided one.
Step-by-step build
- Set up your workspace: Clear a flat, well-lit table and lay out your knife, scoring tool, tweezers, glue, and toothpick. Keep drinks and clutter away from the paper. Checkpoint: you can reach every tool without moving your hands off the paper.
- Read the instructions once through: Review the supplied assembly instructions or video for the figure you are about to build. Note which tabs close first and where the figure is open. Common mistake: cutting before reading, which leads to gluing a tab on the wrong side.
- Score every fold line: Run a scoring tool or empty ballpoint pen lightly along each dashed or printed fold line. Do not press hard enough to cut the paper. Checkpoint: the paper bends easily along the line without buckling.
- Cut out the pieces: Cut just outside the printed outline with a sharp knife or scissors. Leave the tabs intact and avoid trimming into the art. Common mistake: cutting off a tab because it looks like waste paper.
- Dry-fit before gluing: Fold the piece along its scored lines and hold it closed with your fingers. See how the tabs meet before any glue is applied. Checkpoint: the shape closes without forcing or overlapping.
- Glue one tab at a time: Apply a small dot of glue with a toothpick, press the tab for a few seconds, and hold until it grips. Work around the figure in order. Common mistake: gluing all tabs at once, which lets the shape shift before it sets.
- Build from simple to complex: Start with the grub, then the Knight, then Quirrel, then Hornet. Each figure teaches you a little more about narrow tabs and curved folds. Next step: keep the finished figure still until the glue dries clear.
Product facts
- Hollow Knight Papercraft Set: A set of four DIY papercraft figures from the world of Hollow Knight: The Knight, a grub, Quirrel, and Hornet. Four separate figures means four chances to practice; build the simplest one first so your technique improves before the detailed characters.
- Hollow Knight Papercraft Set: Assembly instructions and videos are included. You do not need to guess at the build order or tab placement; follow the supplied instructions before cutting.
