Simple Box Instructions

Making a box from cardstock is actually fairly easy as long as you start with a few simple calculations.

Step 1 – Measuring. You first need to determine the width, length, and depth of your box. Measure your cardstock as follows: width + (depth x 2) x length + (depth x 2). For example, if your box is 4 1/2” x 5 3/4” x 1” deep – a good size for a set of 4 cards), your cardstock will be cut at 6 ½” x 7 ¾” (4 ½” + (1” x 2) x 5 ¾” x (1” x 2).

Step 2 – Scoring. Score all four sides of the cardstock the same – this will be the measurement you chose for the depth of your box. In our sample, we have chosen a 1” depth, so each side will be scored at 1” from the edge.

Step 3 – Cutting. You need to do just a tiny bit of cutting to make the box work – so the diagram above shows where to cut (cutting lines are shown in red). The tabs you create will tuck into the end flaps creating the corners of the box; the diagonal lines will make sure you don’t have any ends sticking out after you tuck in the tabs.

Step 4 – Assembling. The last step is to fold up all the sides and adhere triangle-shaped tabs to inside of box with Sticky Strip. The inside will be neatly tucked away – see the close-up photo above.

Box Lid:

Assemble lid for box exactly the same as the bottom, with one exception: Assuming the cardstock is cut the same size as the bottom, you will score 1/16" to 1/8” less from the edge of the paper. So for our 1” deep box, rather than scoring at 1” from each edge, you’ll score at 15/16" or 7/8”. (The thickness of the cardstock will help you determine this exact measurement for a fit that's not too tight, but not so loose that the lid keeps falling off.)

Dividers:

If you want to put dividers into your box, you will again need to do some measuring. For example, in the sample shown above (a 4 ½” x 4 ½” x 1” deep box), there are actually three separate dividers: one for the horizontal divider, and one for each of the vertical dividers. The horizontal divider is easy – just measure the width and length, and then add 2” (depth x 2). Score three times -- once at the position from the edge where you want the divider to be placed in the box, then once 1” from the first score line, and again 1” from the second scoreline; fold the score lines accordian style (it will look like a “W”); adhere the middle “hump” together to create the divider; then adhere the side flaps to the bottom of the box.

The second two dividers are a little more tricky, but not too bad – you’ll need to measure the distance between the first divider and the edge of the box – this will be the width of your divider. The length will be the length of the box, plus 2” (for a 1” deep box). Score and fold the same as the first divider, and then adhere inside the box over the flat bottom section of the first divider.

For the three-section divider, you would again measure the space between the horizontal divider and the edge of the box to determine the width; the length will be the length of the box, plus 4” -- 2" for each divided (for a 1” deep box). Score the same as above for the first divider, then measure the amount of space you want for the second section and repeat. Fold each of the two dividers as above, and adhere inside the box over the second flat bottom section of the first divider.

This is probably one of those projects that is easier to understand by watching than reading instructions, but hopefully, I haven’t made it too complicated.

So . . . until next time, keep crafting your heart out!

Cathy ;D