For each artisan it is very important to make beautiful packings for their works and I want them also to be low-budget. Forgive me packaging sellers!
Today I want to share my versions of a simple packaging which is convenient for mailing, of a standard sheet of A4 paper (i.e., for small products, the maximum size of which is equal to 14х14х3 cm). It doesn't suit everybody, of course, but I think in some cases if desired, you can change the size on a computer, set the desired percentage. In this DIY the box pattern is with a size of 7х9 cm. Other flat patterns (of boxes with a size of 9х14 cm and 14x14 cm and also a bag pattern) are posted in my blog, as I can not post them here.
I chose craft paper, which can be used for any gift for any occasion, especially if you decorate it with an interesting picture. For boxes I use a heavier paper — 200 g/m2 (it is like thin cardboard), for bags — craft paper with normal density.
A 9х14 cm box
1. Print 2 flat patterns on thick paper — the lid and the bottom (paper size — A4, portrait orientation, position — center). If desired, you can pre-open the file in Photoshop and paste an interesting picture, regards or a logo.
If you do not know how to do it — read the following paragraph.
Actions in Photoshop: File — Place. A browse window of your computer will open and you will be able to choose a picture (you have to download, draw or scan it in advance). Press Shift and drag the corner to reduce the picture to the desired size (zoom is not recommended due to quality loss). Using cursors customize the picture to the desired location, press enter and save in JPG format.
2. Cut corner squares of the printed pattern, they can be used as additional labels for a gift.
3. Then cut out the whole flat pattern by the external contour.
4. Use a ruler to lightly carve all the lines with a sharp tool.
5. Now we can fold the lid and the bottom into a three-dimensional detail. The lid differs from the bottom with a slightly larger size of the bottom part and with a smaller width of the side walls.
6-7. There are allowances on the flat pattern for strengthening the side walls, so first you should bend and glue the long side (you can use thin double-sided tape).
8-9. And then proceed to the short sides holding the side "ears".
10. I attach the ornament to the liner with a size of the bottom to fix it thoroughly.
Liner patterns can also be found in my blog (from a single sheet you can make 3 pieces for a box with a size of 9х14 and 3 pieces for a box with a size of 7х9 cm). The remaining strip can be used for regards-decorations of the gift (insert a picture in Photoshop).
11-12. Process the sides with a shape puncher — it is easier to put the liner in the box. And yet, in my opinion, it looks softer and prettier!
A 14x14 cm box
13. The principle is the same — print and cut. In this box due to the size of a sheet of paper allowances for strengthening the walls are placed only from 2 sides. Therefore, you have to perpendicular place a pattern on the lid and on the bottom so that the double strengthened sides are on each side of the closed box.
14. Print the liner for the box with a size of 14x14 (2 pieces) on a sheet of thick paper, 2 strips will be left, in some cases you can use them to increase the height of the box.
15-17. If the decorations turned out to be slightly higher than 3 cm, you can slightly increase the height of the walls. Take the remaining rectangles, fold them in half, glue them inside and then to the single sides.
18-19. The box will have more volume (with a height 3 of 3.5-4 cm).
20. Of course, when sending by mail, you need additional packaging for boxes, which may be less aesthetic. You can use different boxes, bubble wrap, other materials available, and sent a gift in a soft bubble envelope.
7х9 cm boxes.
21. The flat pattern of the little boxes is fully fit on an A4 sheet. Therefore, print it on a single sheet, cut out by the lines and cut along the contour.
22. Then repeat the same sequence of actions, the liner is given along with a pattern for boxes with the size of 9х14 (photos 10-12).
23. If you can not print thick paper on your printer (or you need to make a box of cardboard of designer paper), then print the pattern of the cover and the bottom on plain paper and cut all the side allowances (excluding the "ears"). Glue the ready pattern on any cardboard, which will serve as a stencil. Then cut out the pattern exactly by the lines and trace it on the desired surface (it is convenient to use a thin disappearing marker).
24. Now slightly carve the line using a sharp object and a ruler, connect the cut corners and the side protruding corners.
25. Now fold and glue the box by "ears".
A 11х15 cm bag
26-28. If your product is not fragile, but you need a packaging you can make a simple bag. If you plan to make many bags, it is better to make a stencil for bending, which will allow making a bag of any A4 paper in 1-2 minutes. Print the pattern on a thick paper, carve all the lines using a ruler and a sharp tool, bend and glue the folds with duck tape for durability.
29-30. Now pin the sheet for a bag with the right side (pattern) up under the bender (the side with duck tape) and bend all the lines.
31. Unpin the sheet and smear the side allowance with glue (or use double-sided duck tape).
32. Apply the opposite side to the allowance and glue it.
33. Now bend the top edge inward and fold the bag by the sides in half.
34. Bend the lower corners, forming lines for folding the bottom.
35. Now insert a 9х14 cm box (it will facilitate the formation of volume) and then bend the sides inside by the marked lines.
36. Then wrap the front allowance on the back one and glue it in a convenient way. Now you can fold the bag for storage by wrapping the bottom to the back and straightening it.
37-38. Now we have to make the handles. The easiest way is to put in twine, tying knots at the ends.
39. But I want to use the stripes that remained after cutting the flat patterns for 14x14 cm boxes as I don't want to throw them out. Bend all the stripes in half and stitch on a sewing machine.
40. Then form the handles on a special template (the pattern is in my blog) and glue them inside the bag with a strip of paper (they remain after cutting the flat patterns for 9х14 cm boxes).
41. You can first stitch the handles to this strip. In this case, use the template to mark the width of the stitching.
42. So, guess I explained everything. And if you have any questions, I will be glad to answer them.
From Belarus with love!