Whether you're about to ship a gift for Christmas or want to change an old board game box, you don't need to spend money to buy ready-made boxes. You can assemble a perfectly sized container using cardboard that you already have on hand. Corrugated cardboard is the best material for storing heavy items or for mailing.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Making a Cardboard Box
Step 1. Choose the type of card
The faces of a cereal box allow you to make small containers for domestic use; corrugated cardboard lends itself to projects that require extra strength, while colored cardstock and scrapbooking allow you to build larger decorative boxes. If you need a specific size container, please cut out the material accordingly:
- A piece of cardboard allows you to make a square box whose side is equal to 1/4 of the length of the initial sheet. For example, you can make a box with a side of 8 cm from a flat panel with dimensions of 32x32 cm.
- The width of the sheet determines the height, base and top of the container. For example, if you want to make a 8x8cm box from a 32x24cm sheet, use 8cm of the width to make the base and top, and the remaining 16cm for the height.
Step 2. Decorate it if you wish
It is best to apply the embellishments before you start cutting and folding the sheet; for example, you can take wrapping paper that is larger than the cardboard sheet (it must protrude at least 12-15mm from all sides) and glue it to it using a strong adhesive. Then, fold the edges back by gluing them to the perimeter of the card.
Step 3. Draw a line near one of the edges of the paper
In this way, you delimit the flap that you will fold later and that will be glued to keep the four sides together; this flap should have a width of about 5 cm (for a large shipping box) or 6 mm for a decorative container.
Step 4. Divide the rest of the paper into four sections
Use a ruler to measure the length of the paper, flap excluded. Make a mark at each quarter of the side and then use the ruler to draw parallel lines that arise from each point. Following this method you should divide the cardboard into four equal sections that form the faces of the box.
If you want to make a rectangular one instead of a square one, divide the card into sections with two different sizes. For example, if you want to build a 10x5 cm box, define a first section of 10 cm, a second of 5 cm, a third always of 10 cm and finally the last of 5 cm, following this order
Step 5. If you are using thick cardstock, score the lines a little
Place the edge of the ruler along the segments you just drew and press down to make creases easier. If the material is really very thick, like corrugated cardboard, you should use a utility knife, but be careful to apply light pressure. If you are using a medium weight material, such as cardstock, you can opt for the empty straw of a ballpoint pen or a folding stick.
Step 6. Fold the faces of the box
Bring the sides inward by overlapping them starting from both ends; in this way, you create incisions on the material that simplify the following steps.
Fold the thick material, so that the engraved part is on the outside of the box; if you are using medium weight cardstock, you can fold it both ways
Step 7. Draw the flaps perpendicular to the faces of the box
Halve the length of one side of the box (the space between two lines); mark this distance starting from one edge of the cardboard and draw a transversal line through the folds. Measure the same distance from the opposite edge and draw a second line.
- For example, if you are building an 8x8cm box, divide 8cm by 2 to get 4cm and arrange the paper so that the folds are oriented vertically; draw a first horizontal line of 4 cm from one edge of the card and another identical one from the opposite edge.
- If the box is not square, you can use any side for this calculation. If you choose the longer side, you get a container with a stronger base and top; if you choose the shorter one, the box will be taller but with a weak base.
Step 8. Cut each flap
Make a cut along the side of the vertical lines until you meet those of the horizontal flap; in this way, you should get four flaps at the top and four at the bottom.
If you are using thick cardstock, score and fold the lines as you did before
Step 9. Fold and pin the four sides together using masking tape
Close the four faces on themselves to make the container structure; fold the tight flap over the edge of the last face and secure it with tape or glue.
Step 10. Fold the base
Tuck the flaps inside, so that each overlaps the adjacent one; then reinforce the structure with adhesive tape.
If you have to store light objects, you can just close the flaps without catching them; instead reinforce them with tape, both inside and out, if you want to prevent them from opening
Step 11. Close the top flaps
If you are making a decorative box or have inserted the item you need to ship, proceed just as you did before using the adhesive tape; if not, you can simply fit them together to facilitate the opening operations.
Step 12. Finished
Method 2 of 2: Merge Two Boxes
Step 1. Choose two identical boxes
If you need to store or ship a particularly large object, you can combine two normal cardboard ones; you have to fit one inside the other, so make sure they are at least half the height of the object. You can use commercial boxes or make them yourself with the instructions described in the first section of the article.
Step 2. Mount the first box
Reinforce the base with duct tape, but leave the other end open.
Step 3. Secure the flaps in vertical position using tape
In this way, you increase the available height of the container along all faces; tape the flaps so that they remain perfectly vertical.
Step 4. Prepare the second box with the base open
Secure the top flaps upright as you did before and don't tape the bottom flaps for now.
Step 5. Join the two boxes with tape
Insert the second box upside down on the first with the respective vertical flaps overlapping; use duct tape or glue to join them securely.
Step 6. Fill the box
At this point, you have an "extra tall" container, with the base of the second box acting as a lid. Insert the object and packaging material through this opening and close everything when done.
