Originally this was a form of modelling undertaken because of the low cost involved. Card, a means of cutting and glue are all that is needed. Some models are 100% card, while others use items of other materials to reinforce the model. After World War II cardboard models were promoted by a number of model companies. One company, ERG (Bournemouth) Ltd. produced a book "Cardboard Rolling Stock and How to Build It" and Superquick are still well known for their range of printed and pre-cut kits.[2]
Books of printed models to cut out and make have been around a long time[when?]. Also, specially printed cards were available from which models could be made. In the UK Micromodels were well known for very small card models.
Models to cut out were also a feature of paperboard folding cartons. For many years, breakfast cereal makers had models to cut out on their packets.[3]
The hobby has been revived through the use of IT-based printers, especially the ink-jet and laser colour printers, with the availability of inexpensive cutting plotters and laser engravers also reducing the time, effort, and tedium associated with cutting out the many parts. Using a vector graphics package, it is even possible for anyone to create their own models from scratch, though most use special software.
Pre-printed models may be downloaded from the internet. A web ring[4] lists some of these, while others offer a range of models from the simple to the complex.
