An origami box, also called a masu box, is very beautiful in its simple functionality. All you need is a square sheet of paper. At the end you will have a beautiful container to hide some small treasures. If you make two boxes, you can use one as a lid to pack small gifts. Read on to learn how to make a box by folding paper.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Making the Structural Folds
Step 1. Start with a square sheet of paper
You can use origami paper or any piece of paper; fold it diagonally from corner to corner.
Step 2. Fold the paper in half
Press the crease firmly with your fingers. Open the sheet.
Step 3. Fold it in half in the other direction
Press the fold firmly and unfold the sheet again. You should now have two lines that intersect in the center of the square.
Step 4. Fold the corners towards the center
Make the tips touch. Press the folds firmly with your fingers. Turn the paper so that one straight side is facing you but don't open it at this point.
Step 5. Fold the top and bottom edges towards the center of the paper
Press the folds firmly and then reopen them. The triangles should stay in place.
Step 6. Explain the triangle above and below
Leave the side triangles folded inside.
Step 7. Fold the long edges towards the center
You should have something that looks like a tie with two ends.
Part 2 of 2: Creating the Box Walls
Step 1. Reinforce the folds
In the rest of this tutorial, the diamond created by the folds of the "tie" furthest away from you will be called the "head", the nearest "foot". Overlap the tip of the foot with the bottom of the head, then the tip of the head with the top of the foot. Press well along the sides to strengthen the folds.
Step 2. Create the side walls of the box
Lift the flaps along the long sides to create the sides of the box.
Step 3. Once the side walls are assembled, create the butt wall
When you lift the butt wall flap, the creases you created earlier should form two additional triangle-shaped wings that you will need to fold inside. Make sure these triangles are folded inward before proceeding. The head wall will bend over the corners of these triangles; the triangle at the top of the head wall will fit snugly into the bottom of the box, where you can conveniently fold it on the sides to hold the box securely. After the creases, you should see a triangle at the bottom of the box.
Step 4. Repeat the process for the opposite side, that of the foot
Try to make straight and precise folds.
Step 5. Finished
Advice
- Create a lid by making a second box in the same way.
- You can put a drop of glue on the bottom between the triangular flaps to make them stay down, or you can use duct tape.
- Fold the paper neatly. With each fold, align the edges or corners perfectly and press the paper firmly.
- If you are using colored paper on one side, fold it starting with the decorated side down.
Warnings
- Don't put too heavy items in the box or it will break. Remember it's paper.
- Be careful not to cut yourself with paper.
