Two Ways to Make Easy DIY Gift Boxes from Craft Paper

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE EASY DIY GIFT BOX DESIGNS

First, download my Easy DIY Gift Box files from my free library – look for Design #776. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the SVG folder, you’ll find “score” and “no-score” versions of my “tree,” “ornaments,” and “heart-swirl” designs. The “score” versions require a Scoring Stylus or Single Scoring Wheel to create smooth lines for folding and alignment. If you don’t have a scoring tool, or if you prefer dashed cut lines, you can use the “no-score” versions instead.

There is also a DXF folder with cut files, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and cut by hand.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND CUT YOUR GIFT BOX DESIGN

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space, open a blank Canvas.
   NOTE: If you’re new to using Cricut Design Space, go to cricutkickoff.com for my introductory tutorial on Design Space basics.
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Select the SVG file of your choice.
   NOTE: I’ll choose the “ornaments-no-score” file, but you can use these instructions to make the “no-score” version of the “tree” and “heart-swirl” designs as well.
5. Click “Open,” and then “Continue.”
6. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas, then close the side panel.
   
   
7. Click “Save” and give your project a name.
8. “Ungroup” the design and spread out the pieces.
   NOTE: On your Canvas, you’ll have a teal main lid piece, two teal lid side pieces, and a white square for the lid’s acetate window. You’ll also have a teal main box piece, two teal box side pieces, a green square for the box’s decorative liner, and a yellow square for the box’s chipboard reinforcement panel.
   
   
9. To change the color of a piece to match the cardstock you’ll use, select the shape on the Canvas and use the Color Box next to “Operation” to pick a new color.
   NOTE: I’ll leave my colors as is, but you can design your box any way that you like.
   
   
10. If you’re cutting the “no-score” version of the gift box, your project is ready to cut! If you’re cutting the “score” version, follow the steps from my scoring tool tutorial to adjust your file.
    
    

CUTTING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
2. Click “Make.”
3. If prompted, select “On Mat” to load all your materials onto mats, then click “Confirm.”
   NOTE: If you’re cutting the “tree” box, the “12 in x 24 in” Mat Size will automatically be selected to accommodate its large pieces.
4. On the Prepare screen, make sure the correct Material Size is selected for your mats.
   NOTE: I’ll choose “12 in x 12 in” for all of my mats.
   
   
   NOTE: If you’re cutting the “tree” box, choose “12 in x 19 in” for your regular cardstock mats to use the 12” x 18” cardstock listed in my materials list.
5. Once you are satisfied with your mat layouts, select the lid liner mat (mine is white) so it loads first on the next page and click “Continue.”
6. On the Make screen, set the Base Material for your lid liner. I used the “Acetate” material setting with “More” pressure for cleaner cuts.
   
   
7. Take the protective film off one side of the acetate only.
8. Place the acetate film-side-down on a green StandardGrip machine mat to keep adhesive and scratches from damaging the material.
   
   
9. Use a clean brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered.
10. Check that your Premium Fine-Point Blade is clean and in the clamp.
11. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
12. Press the flashing middle button to begin cutting.
13. When it has finished cutting, don’t unload the mat right away. Gently lift a corner of the material to make sure the cuts went all the way through. If not, press the middle button again to make a second pass of cuts in the same spots.
    
    
14. When the cuts are complete, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the material.
15. Use your spatula to help lift the pieces, and your weeding tool to poke out any small bits of material that may have been left behind.
    TIP: If you have any issues with your cuts, go to jennifermaker.com/cleaner-cuts.
    
16. Use a scraper tool to remove any small bits left on your mat after you remove the cut pieces.
17. When you get to your reinforcement panel mat (mine is yellow), set your base material to “Kraft Board” with “More” pressure.
    
    
18. Click “Edit Tools” and select “Deep-Point Blade,” then click “Apply.”
    
    
19. Place the chipboard on a purple StrongGrip machine mat, and use a brayer to secure it in place.
    
    
20. Load the Deep-Point Blade and Housing in the clamp indicated on screen.
21. Repeat Steps 11-16 to cut your chipboard mat.
22. When you get to your decorative liner mat:
    - If you’re using patterned paper or metallic cardstock, set your base material to “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)” and the pressure to “More.”
    
    - If you’re using glitter cardstock, set your base material to “Glitter Cardstock” and the pressure to “More.”
    
    
23. Place your material face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat.
    TIP: If you’re using patterned paper with words or an obvious “up” direction, make sure it’s oriented correctly on the mat.
    
    
24. Repeat Steps 9-16 to cut your material.
    TIP: Glitter can stick to the blade and cause trouble on your future cuts, so I recommend cleaning it after cutting any glitter cardstock. You can take the housing and blade out of the clamp, press down on the plunger, and carefully poke the blade into a ball of aluminum foil several times, or clean it with an alcohol wipe. Be careful, it's sharp!
25. When you get to your regular cardstock mats, set your base material to “Medium Cardstock - 80 lb (216 gsm)” and the pressure to “More.”
    
    
26. Place your regular cardstock face up on a green StandardGrip machine mat.
    
    NOTE: If you’re cutting the “tree” box, place your regular 12” x 18” cardstock face up on a 12” x 24” Cricut green StandardGrip machine mat.
    
    
27. Repeat Steps 9-16 to cut your regular cardstock mats.
28. Lay out all of the pieces face up in organized piles.
    TIP: Refer to the Design Space screen if you’re not sure about some pieces’ orientation.
    
    
29. To assemble your box, follow the instructions from the “STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR GIFT BOX” Variation that matches your box style below.
    

STEP 3: ASSEMBLE YOUR GIFT BOX

VARIATION 1: SQUARE “ORNAMENTS” OR “TREE” GIFT BOX

1. Place your main lid piece face down on your work surface with the long crease lines running horizontally.
   
   
2. Fold downward along the top horizontal crease line, sharpen the fold with your scraper tool, then unfold along the crease line.
   
   
3. Repeat for the middle and bottom horizontal crease lines.
4. Then fold inward, sharpen, and fold out the lid piece’s four side tabs along their vertical crease lines.
   
   
5. Next, add a line of glue to the top horizontal section, then fold it down along the crease line. Press and hold to adhere.
   
   
6. Then, add thin lines of glue to the section you just folded, avoiding the corner tabs.
7. Fold this section down to overlap the next one, and press it in place.
8. Fold back the left corner’s top tab, add a small amount of glue to the bottom tab, then fold the top tab back down. Press and hold to adhere.
   
   
9. Glue the right corner tabs together the same way.
10. Rotate the lid piece 180 degrees so the unfolded crease lines are on the top, then repeat Steps 2-9 to fold and glue the bottom creases.
11. Next, take one of the lid side pieces and place it on your work surface with the larger tab at the top.
    NOTE: The lid side pieces are the thinner ones, while the thicker side pieces are for the box.
    
    
12. Fold downward along the top horizontal crease line, sharpen the fold with your scraper tool, then unfold along the crease line.
    
    
13. Repeat for the middle and bottom horizontal crease lines on the lid side piece.
14. Add a small amount of glue along the edges of the top section, then fold the section down along the crease line. Press and hold to adhere.
    
    
15. Do the same to adhere the second section.
16. Repeat Steps 11-15 for the second lid side piece.
17. Place your main lid piece face down with the folded sections on the top and bottom.
    
    
18. Take a lid side piece and position it on the main lid piece’s right side with the unglued tab on the left and the glued side face up.
19. Align the crease line of the unglued tab with the straight edge of the main lid piece’s right side, between the main piece’s top and bottom tabs.
    
    
20. Apply a small amount of craft glue to the underside of the side piece’s tab.
    
    
21. Fold the glued tab down onto the main lid piece.
    
    
22. Press and hold the tab in place to adhere the side piece to the main lid piece.
23. Rotate the main lid piece 180 degrees, then repeat Steps 18-22 to adhere the other side piece to the main lid piece.
24. Next, fold in one of the small corner tabs and add small lines of glue along the tab’s edges.
25. Bring in the corner and attach the small tab to the matching side piece, aligning the side’s edge along the tab’s crease.
    
    
26. Press firmly and hold to secure the corner.
27. Repeat Steps 24-26 for the remaining three corners.
    
    
28. To assemble your box base, repeat Steps 1-27 with the main box piece and two box side pieces.
    
    
29. To add the acetate piece to your assembled lid, peel the protective film from the acetate’s top side.
    TIP: Use a weeding tool to help remove the film if needed, but be careful not to scratch the acetate.
30. Flip the lid so the flat top is against your work surface.
31. Working quickly, add small lines of glue to the lid’s flat inside, making sure to cover the edges and around the design cutouts.
    
    
32. Insert the acetate piece into the lid, then press down to adhere it.
    
    
33. Flip the lid face up and wipe away any excess glue using your finger or a paper towel, then allow the glue to set.
34. Next, add glue to one side of the chipboard reinforcement panel.
35. Flip the reinforcement panel over and place it into the bottom of your box. Press and hold to adhere it.
    
    
36. Then place your decorative liner face down on your work surface.
37. Add glue to the back side of the decorative liner.
38. Then flip the decorative liner over and place it on top of the reinforcement panel inside your box. Press and hold to adhere it.
    
    
39. Now place the lid on top, and your square box is ready!
    
    

VARIATION 2: “HEART SWIRL” TUMBLER BOX

1. Place the two box sides face down on your work surface so their straight edges are at the top, the thin tabs are at the bottom, and the side tabs (for the box’s bottom) are on the left.
   
   
2. Fold up the bottom tab along the horizontal crease line, use your scraper tool to sharpen the fold, then unfold the tab.
   TIP: Use your scraper tool to help lift long tabs along their crease lines before folding them.
3. Repeat for the remaining crease lines on both pieces, including the side tabs.
4. Flip both pieces face up, keeping the straight edges at the top and the side tabs on the right.
5. Add a small amount of craft glue along the entire length of the thin bottom tab on one of the box sides.
   
   
6. Lay the other box piece onto the tab with glue, keeping the top edge of the piece flush with the tab’s crease line, and the left edges of both pieces aligned vertically.
7. Press firmly and smooth down to adhere the seam.
   
   
8. Flip your attached box pieces face down.
9. Fold up the bottom panel along the crease line and hold it in place.
10. Add a small amount of craft glue along the bottom section’s thin tab.
    
    
11. Then fold down the top section along the crease line so its straight edge overlaps the glued tab and is flush with the glued tab’s crease line.
12. Press firmly and smooth down the tab to adhere the seam, connecting the box’s four sides.
    
    
13. Turn the box so the straight edges are against your work surface and the bottom tabs are on top.
14. Fold down the slot insert side first.
    
    
15. Then fold down the two short sides.
    
    
16. Press the tabbed side down so it catches under the slot side.
    
    
17. Turn the box over and press down from the inside of the box until the tabs lay flat.
18. To make the box top, lay your tumbler box lid face down.
19. Fold up the short corner tabs and sharpen the creases with your scraper.
    
    
20. Then do the same for the long side tabs.
    
    
21. Add craft glue to one of the small corner tabs.
22. Bring in a corner and attach the small tab to the matching side piece, aligning the side’s edge along the tab’s crease.
    
    
23. Press firmly and hold to secure the corner.
24. Repeat Steps 21-23 for the remaining three corners.
25. Repeat Steps 29-38 from the “VARIATION 1: SQUARE ORNAMENTS OR TREE GIFT BOX” section to add the acetate, reinforcement panel, and liner to your tumbler box.
26. Now place the lid on top, and your tumbler box is ready!
    
    

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF

You now have an easy DIY gift box for packaging a small gift or tumbler!