How to Create the Paper Cutout Effect Online (No After Effects Required)

The Appeal of the Paper Cutout Look

The paper cutout aesthetic has taken social media by storm. From music videos to TikTok trends, the tactile, handcrafted feel of torn paper edges adds a unique layer of depth and nostalgia to digital content. Traditionally, achieving this look required complex masking in Adobe After Effects or hours of stop-motion photography with physical paper.

Why Do It Online?

Not everyone has access to professional motion graphics software or the time to learn complex workflows. Online tools like Paper Animation allow creators to:

Save Time: Automate the edge roughening and shadow generation.
Save Money: No monthly subscriptions for heavy software.
Iterate Quickly: Experiment with different edge styles, colors, and textures instantly.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Choose Your Subject

Start with a high-contrast photo. Subjects with clear silhouettes work best. Whether it's a person, a product, or a pet, the key is separation from the background.

2. Segment and Cut

Use our Image Segmenter to automatically detect and cut out your subject. Refine the selection to ensure you have a clean base to work with.

3. Apply the Paper Style

This is where the magic happens. In the Editor:

Border Size: Adjust the thickness of the white (or colored) paper edge.
Roughness: Increase this to simulate torn paper. A value of 0 looks like a scissor cut, while higher values look like hand-torn edges.
Shadow: Add a drop shadow to create separation from the background, enhancing the collage feel.

4. Add Movement (The "Boil")

In traditional animation, "boiling" refers to the wiggly lines caused by re-drawing a frame slightly differently each time. Our tool simulates this by animating the noise on the paper edge. Enable "Movement" to bring your static image to life.

5. Export

Export as a Transparent PNG for static graphic design or a WebM video to use as an overlay in your video editor. If your editor doesn't support WebM alpha, use the Green Screen background option.

Conclusion

You don't need a studio or expensive plugins to get the paper animation look. With browser-based tools, you can create professional-grade assets in minutes. Try it out today and give your content that handcrafted touch.