Creating Decorated Verticle Paper Storage Boxes

Probably all too often you have found yourself sifting through a large stack of papers searching for the one you want for your project. Having no organization for your papers can be frustrating and buying paper trays can get expensive. There is a cost efficient and simple do it yourself solution to creating gorgeous storage boxes for your papers.

 Priority boxes are cheap, if not free (check your local post office) and the perfect size for creating vertical storage for your 12 x 12 papers.

Supplies:

- 12” x 12” Paper x 3 sheets (patterned or solid)
- Acrylic Paint (to coat inside and outside of box)
- Priority Shipping Box – 12 ½” x 16 ½”
- Mod Podge (Matte)
- Krylon – Make It Acid Free Spray – You are going to want to make your priority box acid free for the purpose of storing paper inside of it once it is complete. Cardboard is highly acidic and over time will ruin the papers inside the storage box and anything you’ve done to personalize the box. This product can be purchased at Michael’s in the paint section.
- Dremel Tool – I used a dremel tool for cutting the box to help keep my lines clean, and for the ease it provides cutting through the thick cardboard.

How To:

1. Decide if you plan to make a curved edge to your storage box or a straight edge (straight edge is much easier). This project example is being done with a curved edge.

2. To create a curved edge, draw your design onto a piece of 12” x 12” cardstock to create a template for your box. Cut your design from the cardstock and lay your newly created template on the priority box to trace your edges. The template will help keep both sides of your box looking the same when they are cut. The template will also work for cutting the pattern from the paper you plan to adhere to the box. Use a ruler to carry your cut line around the spine of the box. If you plan to do a straight edged box, use a ruler to draw a line around the entire box and cut.

 

3. Next, use a dremel tool or other cutting method to make your cuts along the marks you have made until you have cut the basic shape of your custom paper storage box.

 

4. Now that you have the shell of your storage box, use your Acid Free Spray to de-acidfy your project.  Make sure to spray the inside of the box where your paper will be stored.  It takes about two minutes to become fully dry.

5. You will probably want to prime your box with some white acrylic paint due to the priority box being slightly larger than 12”x12”; you will find there are ½ inch uncovered edges on some sides.  This will help cover any print from the box that may be exposed.  Take the time to also paint the inside of your box, which may show depending upon which direction your boxes will be sitting on your shelf.

6. While your painted box is drying you can prepare the paper for decorating the box.  Using the template you created to make a curved edge for the box will also serve perfectly for tracing and cutting your 12”x 12” paper to fit both sides of the box.  Use the Mod Podge to adhere your sides.

7. Now you want to decorate the spines of your box.  Consider which way your storage boxes will sit on your shelf to determine which spine side you will label.  On this project example, because of the way the storage box will sit on my shelf I chose to decorate the shorter spine side with the brand name of the paper the box will hold.  You may choose to decorate the longer spine.  Using your last piece of 12” x 12” paper, cut your spine pieces at about 3.5 inches wide to provide some overlap along the edges.  Adhere your spine pieces with Mod Podge.

8. Continue to decorate your box with embellishments and papers anyway you choose until you have created a look all your own.