How to Make a Tall Paper Box
There are times when a standard-size, store-bought box just won't do. Some gifts, for example, have unusual dimensions, especially homemade ones. Tall paper boxes also make unique decorative items. When you weight them down and reinforce them with corrugated cardboard, you can use them to display anything from dried floral arrangements to children's artwork. Making your own tall paper box adds another dimension of versatility to an item that already has a multitude of different applications. You can make a tall paper box in less than 20 minutes.
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Things You'll Need
- Poster board, 24 inches by 36 inches
- 24-inch long metal straight edge
- Utility knife
- School glue
- Cardboard squares
Instructions
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1
Place the poster board sheet on your work surface so the 36-inch side faces you. Make a pencil mark 1 inch from the left and from there, three additional marks at 8 3/4-inch intervals. Do the same on the opposite side.
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2
Draw four straight pencil lines connecting the marks on the far and near sides, using the straight edge. Make pencil marks on each of these lines, 5 inches from the edge facing you. Draw a straight line connecting these marks and extending to the poster board's edge.
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3
Fold the poster board along the 24-inch long lines. Crease them with the straight edge. Unfold the board. Fold the poster board along the 36-inch line, creasing it with the straight edge.
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4
Make a straight 1-inch long cut along the 36-inch line from the left edge with the utility knife. Use the straight edge to ensure the cut is perfectly straight. Cut 1-inch wide wedges straddling the second, third and fourth 24-inch long lines from the edge to the 36-inch long line with the utility knife and straight edge.
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5
Make pencil marks 1/2 inch right of the first 24-inch line and 1/2 inch left of the poster board's right edge. Draw a pencil line from the first pencil mark to the point where the first 24-inch line meets meets the 36-inch line; draw another one from the second mark to where the right edge meets the 36-inch line. Make cuts along the lines you just drew.
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6
Spread school glue on the box's flaps with the cardboard squares. Wait 30 seconds. Press the bottom flaps together, then press the side flap to the box's free side.
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Tips & Warnings
You can adjust your box's dimensions by trimming the sides with your utility knife or by folding the poster board edges along the 36-inch side. You can make a lid for your box from poster board, and you can reinforce with corrugated cardboard panels.
Decorate the box with wallpaper, gift wrap, rhinestone, and any other material of your choice.
Handle utility knives with care.
References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
