Swapped my foam core board for corrugated cardboard on a wallet mockup

I spent years using foam core for quick wallet prototypes, you know the kind where you check stitch lines and pocket depths. Then about 6 months ago I grabbed a piece of corrugated from a shipping box because I was out of foam core. The corrugated actually held up better to repeated folding and punching with my awl, plus it cost nothing. Foam core always crumbled at the edges after a few open-close cycles, but the cardboard just dented and kept going. I ended up finishing the whole design in cardboard before cutting real leather, saved maybe 3 hours of rework. Anyone else have a material swap that just clicked better for you?

2 comments

2 Comments

grant_torres13d ago

Did you notice the cardboard fibers affecting your awl edge at all?

patricia_wright13d ago

The cardboard definitely leaves a weird residue on the awl after a few passes, feels kinda gummy. I wiped it off with a dry rag every 10-15 holes and the edge stayed sharp longer. If you let it build up, it's like tiny glue bits that soften the point and make it drag.