How to Make a Gift Box Out of Card Stock
Before running out to the store to purchase gift boxes, consider creating your own from card stock. This not only saves you money, but also allows you to personalize your gift wrap along with what's inside it. You may find that your work of art is even more innovative than what you'd buy at the store. For more variety, mix card stock with decorative wrapping paper or stationery.
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Things You'll Need
- Card stock (solid or patterned)
- Box pattern
- Regular white paper
- Decorative paper (optional)
- Double-sided adhesive sheets (optional)
- Pencil
- Crayons, paints and markers (optional)
- Scissors
- Glue
Instructions
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Basic Box Construction
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1
Choose a sheet of solid or patterned card stock. Decorate plain card stock with paint, crayons or markers, if desired.
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2
Lay the card stock with the pattern or "outside" of the box face down. Trace or draw a box pattern onto the card stock. For a simple box, draw a square or rectangle (depending on desired box shape) in the center with a ruler and pencil. Draw squares or rectangles along each side of the center shape to form the box sides; their length determines how tall your box will be. Add one more square or rectangle to the top of your pattern, the same dimensions as your first shape, to form the box top. Draw a narrow tab on the box top to form a flap. Draw narrow tabs along the right side of each side piece, turning the paper counterclockwise as you go to keep the tabs in the right position.
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3
Cut out your box pattern.
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4
Fold the card stock on the indicated crease lines. Press down well for a crisp crease. This gives the box better shape.
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5
Glue one narrow tab to the inside of the adjacent square, holding it in place for 30 seconds. Repeat with the other three corners.
Using Decorative Paper With Card Stock
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6
Choose a colorful or patterned paper, such as wrapping paper or craft paper. Create a box pattern and cut out card stock as instructed above.
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7
Place a double-sided adhesive sheet on the back of the paper. Cut your paper out in the same shape as your card stock. Trim the adhesive down. Do not place paper on the box tabs.
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8
Adhere the paper to the outside of the gift box.
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1
Tips & Warnings
For cleaner, crisper creases, score folding lines with a bone creaser before folding your gift box.
For an interesting contrast, affix colorful or patterned paper to the inside of your gift box, using double-adhesive sheets.
For an alternative, make a square box with a separate lid rather than cut and fold a box from one piece of card stock.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit gift box image by Dmitri MIkitenko from Fotolia.com
