How to Make a Box From Scrapbook Paper

Making your own small gift box is a creative and inexpensive way to enclose a present. A hand-chosen scrapbook paper adds personalization to your gift wrapping, and the recipient will be grateful that you have gone the extra mile. Making a gift box from scrapbook paper is simple enough for a child to do.

Things You'll Need

• Computer
• Graphic editor
• Printer
• Ink
• Scrapbook paper
• Scissors
• Tape or glue
• Ribbon or yarn

Instructions

1. Open a graphic editing program on your computer to begin building a printable box grid. Create a file of a size that corresponds with the dimensions of your scrapbook paper.

2. Create four equal-sized, touching squares arranged in a vertical line. Insert three equal-sized, touching squares arranged horizontally with the middle horizontal square occupying the same space as the second vertical square from the top.

3. Add a rectangular strip on the top and bottom of the first and third horizontal squares, another rectangular strip on the bottom of the vertical square closest to the bottom, another rectangular strip on the left of the first horizontally-aligned square, and a final strip on the right of the third square. These seven tabs will hold the box together. Each tab should be about the width of half of a square.

4. Load your scrapbook paper into the printer. In order to have no visible lines on the outside of the completed box, be sure to load the paper so that the ink will be printed on the side of paper that you do not want to show on the outside. Select the appropriate printer settings and press “Print”; if the ink is wet, let paper sit for a minute before trying to work with it.

5. Cut along the outside of the grid pattern.

6. Fold at every marked line and begin to shape the paper into a box, letting the intersecting square be the base of the box while wrapping the vertical squares up and the horizontal square over.

7. Apply glue or tape to the side tabs and press them to keep the sides together and give the box its structure.

8. Fold the top tabs and tuck them in to close the box.

9. Attach a piece of ribbon or yarn around the box, if desired, after placing your gift inside it. Sit the box on the ribbon, wrapping the ribbon up around the sides and tying it into a bow or knot at the top of the box. This will secure the box, keeping it closed in a visually appealing manner.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to create a small matching card to accompany your box, use the portion of scrapbook paper that remains after cutting out the box pattern.

• When forming rectangular strips to function as tabs, be sure to size them right: small enough to fit inside the box, but large enough to hold the form together. If in doubt, err on the side of too large and trim the tabs later as needed.

References

• PaperCraft Art Creative: Gift Box with Love and Butterfly Shape Design