How to make a box | Blade Rubber Blog, Tips and Techniques Blade Rubber Craft Stamps

Techniques by Susie Jefferson - based on a Class given at Blade Rubber

If, like me, you love nice packaging (don’t forget, the packaging really MAKES the present) then you will take enormous pleasure in making these boxes. Making a box yourself allows you to choose the colour, the size, the decoration – and you can make cards and gift tags to match (don’t forget to stamp the tissue paper!)

If you love decoupage, pergamano, or those "high rise" glittery medallion and mandala style cards - then you need a box to put the card in, to present it nicely, keep it safe and prevent the layers from being crushed. If you make wedding cards, cards with satin padding - or baby cards with miniature teddies - then you absolutely need to make nice boxes to put them in!

I have used the Eazi Score™ board in the photographs for this article, but measurements for all scoring directions are given for both the Eazi Score™ and the Crafters Companion™ boards. If you have a different board, you will find the measurements will be fundamentally the same, but the lines referred to may be termed differently. Basic preparation for any box will be the same as described below.

THE BASIC BOX – USING THE EAZI SCORE BOARD™

Take two pieces of card the same size, and cut one down by 1-2 mm on two sides, making an L shape. This allows for the thickness of the layers of cardstock and tabs inside the lid, so the base will fit snugly but without forcing it to fit.

Place a piece of cardstock up against the butt edge (the raised section) which supports the card and prevents it from moving when you score the fold lines (the board comes with its own scoring tool). For thick card, score several times in the same place for a really defined fold line.

Always use the same line (these are numbered AND named for easy reference) to score both lid and base – you have already allowed for the thickness of the cardstock when you trimmed the 2nd piece of card for the base, when you started to make your box.

Choose the score line which suits the height of your box. The two most popular box sizes are titled: a shallow box (suitable for a layered card, a silk scarf, a pair of socks) will use Box 1 (Line no 1). A multi layered decoupage or medallion-style or tea bag card will require a deeper box, so score around all the sides using Box 2 (Line no 2) as the guide.

THE BASIC BOX - USING THE TOP SCORE MULTIBOARD™ & THE ULTIMATE™ from CRAFTERS COMPANION

Take two pieces of card the same size. If using the Top Score Multiboard, turn the board over - you will notice one butt edge is marked Box Lid, and the other is Box Base. Score the first piece of card counting the lines from the Box Lid, and the second piece of card from the Box Base. The measurements are calculated for you, so that no trimming is necessary to allow for the thickness of the layers of cardstock and tabs inside the lid, and the base will automatically fit snugly. (Don’t forget to count the lines – Line 3 on the lid will fit Line 3 of the base.) If using The Ultimate, the box-making lines are on the inside of the carry case. Both kits are supplied with a folding/scoring tool.

ARTWORK

I recommend scoring the lines for the box first (lid and base – although you could use plain, pearlescent, holographic or metallic card if you don't want to decorate the base) before doing any decoration. The score lines will help you to place any stamped artwork – for example, don’t bother stamping where the tabs are, as this is where you will be applying glue! It’s best to stamp randomly, even off the edge of the card, as this gives a more natural finish. Turn the stamp around, so an image won’t look “upside down” whichever way the box is held.

If stamping a greeting or message around the side of the box lid, stamp AWAY from the centre as the sides will fold down. If stamping around the sides of the base, the sides will fold up – so stamp TOWARDS the centre.

EMBOSSING

If you want to emboss the design on your box, make sure you have scored the box first. Scoring after embossing will result in the embossing flaking off the card. You will also achieve a better result if you fold at the score lines as soon as you have embossed, whilst the powder is still warm. The embossing will remain flexible and will bend quite happily around edges without flaking or cracking (it sets rock hard when cold).

PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER

To put the pieces together, cut from the outer edge to where the score lines cross, on all 4 sides. Crease well at the fold lines, and apply glue (I like to use Art Glitter Dries Clear adhesive, with a narrow nozzle fitted) to the little tabs. This glue doesn’t buckle delicate papers, and the narrow nozzle means no disasters with excess glue squirting everywhere! (Alternatively, glue stick, Sticky Dots or double sided tape work – but are more fiddly to apply neatly). Fold the tabs inside and use a paperclip to hold the card until the glue sets.

In the photograph, you will see I have scored all round a piece of A5 card using the Box 2 (Line no 2) measurement. I have cut from the outer edge on the long side, and also cut a little piece out, like a little pie shape, so that you can see the cut line better. If using really thick card (box card or corrugated card), cutting out a little piece like this helps you to achieve a crisper finish by taking away excess bulk.

RECTANGULAR BOXES – EAZI SCORE BOARD™

For a really deep box (suitable for a bottle of bubble bath, a scented candle, a double layer of chocolates, muffins or jam) use A4 Gate (Line no 4) for A4 card, or A5 Gate (Line no 3) for A5 card. These are the comfortable maximums in height for the box, as the higher the sides, the narrower the width across the box when folded.

RECTANGULAR BOXES – TOP SCORE MULTIBOARD™ & THE ULTIMATE™ (CRAFTERS COMPANION)

For a really deep box (suitable for a bottle of bubble bath, a scented candle, a double layer of chocolates, muffins or jam) use Line no 4 or 5 for A4 card - or Line no 3 for A5 card.

SQUARE BOXES– EAZI SCORE BOARD™

Again, you need to trim down the piece of card to be used for the box base. The height of the box will only be limited by the size of the card you use. The higher the box, the narrower the box, as more card is used up by the sides.

A box cut from 8" x 8" scrapbooking card – which is also the maximum size square you can cut out of a piece of A4 card - using the Box 2 (or Line no 2) measurement will be 6 inches square and 1 inch high. The maximum height for 8” x 8” scrapbooking card is the A4 Gate line (Line no 4) for a box 2 inches square and just under 3 inches high.

The maximum height for 12" x 12" scrapbooking card is the A5 Half Fold line (Line no 6), for a box just under 4 inches square and 4 inches high.

NOTE: Most scrapbooking papers and albums are American, so the papers are sized in inches, not centimetres.

SQUARE BOXES – TOP SCORE MULTIBOARD™ & THE ULTIMATE™ (CRAFTERS COMPANION)

A box cut from 8" x 8" scrapbooking card (the maximum size square you can cut out of a piece of A4 card) using Line no 2 will be approximately 5 inches square and just over 1 inch high. The maximum height for 8" x 8" scrapbooking card is Line no 5 for a box approximately 2 inches square and 3 inches high.

The maximum height for 12" x 12" scrapbooking card is Line no 7, for a box just approximately 4 inches square and 4 inches high.

TIP: You will notice with the high sided boxes that the tabs are too wide to fold inside the box comfortably – fold in at the score lines and trim down with a pair of scissors, using the top flaps (which will form the sides) as a guide. With these boxes, don’t bother to stamp any artwork at the corners (which form the tabs) as they won’t be seen.

IDEAS AND INSPIRATION

Plain cardstock in a darker colour, stamped with Black Staz-On ink, using a fairly detailed outline stamp (eg: flower, butterfly). "Colour in" using a waterbrush - loaded with bleach.
Stamp with Versamark ink, dust with chalks or Perfect Pearls - allow to set a minute, then dust off the excess with a cotton bud. Perfect for a soft pastel effect!
Stamp with Brilliance inks – use one of the pearlescent colours - and overstamp with Brilliance ink in a metallic. These are transparent, so you can layer the colours. Finally, use a text stamp in a more dominant colour. Use organza ribbons in all three colours.
Use heavyweight vellum. This would be wonderful for a bridal or Christening gift, in pure white or a pastel, plain or patterned - and tied with organza ribbon.
Instead of gluing the tabs, punch two holes through each tab - and use brads, eyelets, or sew on buttons. If you used eyelets, thread through narrow double-sided satin ribbon and tie in a bow.
Score all fold lines first, then use a circle cutter or punch to cut a half circle out of two opposite sides of the box lid to make it easier to open.
Score all the fold lines first - then cut around the edges of the lid only with fancy scissors. For high-sided boxes, cut half the height of the lid away using fancy scissors, then stick lace underneath, to peep out under the lid edges like a petticoat. Use real lace, or punch your own from paper.
If you want to put soap or chocolates in your box, don't forget to line the box with greaseproof or waxed paper first.

Now have a go at making Bonbon Boxes