Many folks are either making their own gifts or buying hand made items these days so gift boxes to put them in are another item to put on the shopping list. However, unless you need a really big box they are certainly easy enough to make and will make your gift truly handmade all the way.
Materials:
poster board, Bristol board, watercolor paper, colored art paper, file folders, etc.
piece of heavy cardboard or a plastic see-through ruler
ballpoint pen
X-Acto knife
There are any number of possible styles of boxes to make and a variety of ways in which to make them. Following are two very basic styles and techniques.
Steps:
Square or Rectangular Box with Full Sides
Method #1
- Select two pieces of poster board, Bristol board, etc. for the box. Trim one piece so that it is 1/8 inch smaller on two sides. The smaller piece will be the bottom of the box. If using thicker cardboard you would cut the second piece 1/4 inch smaller on the two sides.
- Decide how deep you want the sides of the box to be and cut a length of sturdy cardboard to this width. This will be your measuring tool. Though it is not essential it will save you a lot of measuring. A see-through ruler will also do the job.
- Place the cardboard strip along one outside edge of your selected paper or cardboard and draw a line. If you prefer the line to be invisible use an embossing tool or folding bone. Press hard so this can also serve as the indented folding line. Place strip along the remaining edges and repeat procedure. The inside area will be the size of the box top.
- Fold along all indented lines one side at a time and press with a folding bone. Unfold.
- Cut as indicated by the heavy lines in figure A. Fold the sides up, fold the corner tabs inside and either glue, tape or staple to hold.
- Repeat procedure on other piece of cardboard and place one over the other. Box complete.
Note: Another method is to follow steps 1 through 4 above, then press a line from the inside corner to the outside corner to the outside corner at each corner (figure B). Bring the sides up and fold in along the diagonal lines in the corners. Glue, staple or tape to hold. No cutting is necessary. Because the corners are a bit bulkier, you might cut the bottom piece a bit smaller than the 1/8 inch suggested.
Method #2
This method takes a bit more cardboard but requires no tape or staples and is sturdier than the other versions.
- Cut two pieces of cardboard for the box and top as described above.
- Place cardboard strip along one outside edge of box cardboard and draw a line. Place the strip along the drawn line and draw another. Repeat on the opposite side. Draw a single along each end.
- Fold on all drawn lines. Unfold.
- Cut as indicated by heavy lines (figure C). Refold the side pieces, folding the tabs in toward the center and folding the end pieces over the tabs holding them in position. They will want to stick out but once the box is put together everything will hold together.
- Repeat procedure for box top.
Note: To make box even sturdier you can double fold all four sides.
To make a box with a short-sided top, reverse the above procedure when making the top. That is, after making the bottom of the box, draw the measurements of the box top in the center of the cardboard first, then draw the sides. Determine how deep you want the sides of the top to be and cut a strip of cardboard to this width. Measure as described above either once (for method #1) or twice (for method #2) on each side. Remember when making the top to draw the center portion about 1/8 inch larger than the center section on the bottom. Sound complicated? It isn't when you are actually doing it.
The boxes can be wrapped with gift wrapping paper like any other boxes or they can be decorated before assembling. Rubber stamp, draw, decorate with stickers, etc. To cover with gift wrapping paper spray flattened pieces with spray adhesive, apply paper or fabric, and fold (figure D). With version #2 there will be four cut edges showing on which the box cardboard may or may not be evident. If it is it can be ignored or colored with a marking pen to match the paper.
If you use heavy weight colored art paper for making your boxes you can decorate with metallic pens or rubber stamp and emboss with metallic powder (figure E). No paper or further decorating required.
Resources X-Acto craft knives - Hunt
Available at craft, hardware and home improvement stores nationwide.
Hunt Corporation
Website:
www.hunt-corp.com
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