Everyone has multiple uses with cardboard boxes in our day to day life as we use it to pack things, present gifts, decorate with boxes, etc. Interestingly, almost every consumer product is coming in some types of boxes similar to the cardboard box. Making cardboard box is not a hefty job, or it doesn’t need any specific knowledge, but I must say it is an interesting job. If you have some creative ideas, you can earn out of it by making the boxes in different styles and designs and sell it to product manufacturers or small shop owners. See the steps how you can make a cardboard in a simpler way.
Choose the Cardboard
It should be according to the use, and for simple uses, it is better to use the side of a cereal box to make small boxes. When it comes to sturdier projects, corrugated cardboard is better, and use cardstock or scrapbooking paper for larger and decorative boxes. Few things to be noted that 1/4th of the length of cardboard becomes the side of a square box and the width of cardboard becomes the height, top, and bottom of the box. For instance, if there is a cardboard of 12″ x 9″ size, it can be converted into 3″ sides with 6″ height.
Decorate Yourself
It is much easier to decorate before starting the cutting or folding the cardboard. You can simply use a designer wrapping paper with ½” more than cardboard size and glue it on one side the cardboard. While making the box, fold it like the cardboard side with wrapping paper forms the exterior of the box.
Make a Flap at One End of the Cardboard
Make “glue flap” at one edge (length-wise edges) to hold the four sides while completing the box making. The flap can be of 2″ wide for larger boxes, and it can be ¼” for small boxes.
Draw the Outline
Divide the remaining part of length into four equal sections using a ruler and pencil to get a square box. But, you can change it the division proportion to a different dimension to get a rectangular box. For instance, if you wanted to make a box of length 4″ and 3″, you have to take dimension with an initial division of 4″, then 3″, continued by 4″, and finally 3″.
Make the Edges Easier to Fold
To make easier folding at the edges, make a hard press at the edges of each section using a ruler. If thick materials like corrugated cardboards are used, get the help of a utility knife to make a soft cut.
Fold the Sides
Make a bend to inward at the edges and release it; this can make sure an easy fold later.
Draw Flaps for Top and Bottom of Box
Take the width of each side of the designed box and divide it by half. Extend the line top and bottom of the initial draw with that measurement. For instance, if the width of the designed box is 4″, then divide it by half, and the result is 2″. Extend 2″ height lines of sides at the bottom and top to make them top and bottom flaps.
Cut each of the Flaps
Cut the flaps on top and bottom until it meets the height lines of sides. This adds four flaps each on top and bottom of the initial drawing.
Fold the Sides and Stick together
Bend all the four sides and stick it along the narrow glue flap using sticky tape or glue and make the structure.
Fold and Stick the Base
Tuck the flaps of opposite sides together like one overlap the other and stick together using glue or sticky tape.
Tuck the Top Flaps
You can tuck and stick top flaps like the base if you are shipping things with products inside or using as decorative cardboard boxes. Otherwise, keep the flaps just tucked for easy opening.
Your Cardboard Box is Ready