Must Try Gatefold Slider Card: Video Tutorial | Miss Ink Stamps

There’s something so satisfying about an interactive card. Whether it’s a pop-up, a spinner, or a classic slider, that little surprise element adds a layer of excitement that makes the recipient stop and play with the design. For today’s card, I wanted to revisit an idea I saw a few years ago—a Sliding Gatefold Card—and give it a fresh twist.

Now, I love a good gatefold card. There’s just something about those panels swinging open that feels extra special. But I wanted more—something that wasn’t just about opening a card, but actually revealing a hidden surprise as you interact with it. That’s where the slider comes in!

This design features the Owls Stamp Set, Owls Coordinating Outline Dies, and Cobblestone Stencil from Miss Ink Stamps, and I couldn’t think of a more fitting set to create a card with a little movement. After all, if an owl is delivering your message, it might just take a bit of extra time to get there, right?

Must Try Gatefold Slider Card:

The Magic Behind the Design

The structure of this card starts with a gatefold base, which is essentially a standard A2 card that opens from the center instead of from one side. The difference? A special sliding element that holds the card shut and moves to reveal the sentiment inside. It’s such a fun way to add interactivity without making the construction too complicated.

To keep the slider moving smoothly, I started with a base of Neenah Ultra Thick Cardstock—a must for sturdy interactive cards. One of the biggest tips I can share when working with this type of card structure is to always test your mechanism before fully assembling the card. A simple 1/16” trim on one side of the gatefold can make all the difference in ensuring the slider doesn’t get stuck.

Creating the Background

Once the card base was ready, it was time to add some texture. I used the Cobblestone Stencil from Miss Ink Stamps to create a soft, stone-like effect on my background panels. Blending Rocky Slope and Metropolis Ink gave it a slightly aged look—perfect for setting the scene.

One of my favorite tricks for ink blending on backgrounds like this is to vary the pressure on your blending tool as you work. By applying lighter pressure in some areas and heavier pressure in others, you create natural variation that gives the panel more depth. For even more texture, try lightly spritzing the inked panel with water and dabbing it off—it adds an effortless distressed look.

Bringing the Owls to Life

Now let’s talk about the stars of this card—the adorable owls! I stamped three of them, plus a window and broom, in Memento Tuxedo Black Ink and colored them with Copic Markers. The warm browns and golden tones really made these little guys pop. If you’re ever struggling with blending fur, one of the best tricks is to use small flicking motions with your markers. This helps mimic the look of soft, fluffy feathers without harsh lines.

After cutting everything out with the coordinating dies, I played around with placement. The window became the focal point of my slider element, while the two other owls fluttered around it, creating a sense of movement even before the slider was in action.

Adding the Sentiments

With a card this interactive, I wanted the sentiments to add to the story. The inside panel features “Act surprised, ok?”, while the bottom of the slider reads “Sorry this is late, the owl got lost.” It’s the perfect finishing touch to tie everything together.

One of the best tips for stamping sentiments on interactive cards is to always test placement with scrap paper first. Since the slider moves, you want to make sure your sentiment lands in the right spot when revealed—nothing worse than stamping too high or too low and losing the effect!

Finishing Touches & Final Thoughts

To bring everything together, I added white gel pen highlights to the owls and the window. This tiny detail makes all the difference, adding dimension and making the images pop off the background.

Before calling it done, I tested the slider a few more times—always a good idea to ensure everything moves smoothly before sending the card off to its recipient. The final result? A playful, interactive design that feels as fun to make as it does to receive.

If you’ve never tried a Gatefold Slider Card, this is a great project to experiment with. And if you’re like me and love a good interactive card, this is one you’ll want to add to your rotation.

I’d love to hear what you think! Have you ever made a slider card with a twist? Let me know, and be sure to check out the video tutorial to see this one in action.

Happy crafting!

Slider Gatefold Card Video Tutorial:

If you have problems watching the video here on my blog you can always watch it on my YouTube Channel by Clicking here!

(Wondering what I used in this video? Everything is linked to multiple sources in the thumbnails at the end of this post, or in the text below. Compensated affiliate links used when possible). As always I appreciate your support of my videos!

Cardstock Needed:

• Neenah Ultra Thick 110 lbs Cardstock - 5 1/2" x 8 1/2" scored at 1 1/2" & 5 3/4"

• Neenah Classic Crest Solar White 80 lbs Cardstock - (1) 3 3/4" x 5", (1) 3 3/4" x 5 1/4", (1) 2 3/8" x 2 3/8", (2) 2" x 2" scored at 1" and scraps for stamping

• Evening Gray Cardstock - (1) 4" x 5 1/4", (1) 2 1/2" x 2 1/2", (2) 2" x 2"

Materials Used:

Here you will find the list of supplies that I used to create today's card. All supplies are linked to supply sources below. Compensated affiliate links may be used at no cost to you.

Happy Stampin'

Rick Adkins

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