Things You'll Need
Clear plastic sheeting
Light and dark felt-tipped pen
Ruler
Scissors
Epoxy glue
Packing tape
Window cleaner
Paper towel
If you're giving someone a special gift, it may be nice to present it in a homemade plastic box. Plastic boxes look better and last longer than paper boxes. Plastic boxes are easy to make with plastic sheeting from your art supply store. Choose plastic sheeting that is sturdy but malleable.
Step 1
Determine the length, height and width of the box you would like to make.
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Step 2
Multiply the chosen length by two and the chosen width by two. Add those products to determine the length of the rectangular box pattern. Add the desired height and width of the box to determine the width of the rectangular pattern. Use these calculations to draw the rectangular pattern on the plastic sheeting, leaving a 2-inch gap along the left side.
Step 3
Measure your desired length along the top of the rectangle from the upper left corner of the rectangle and make a mark. Measure and mark one width of your desired box from that mark. Measure and mark another length from the second mark. Draw a dark vertical line down from each of the three marks.
Step 4
Measure half of your desired width from the top left corner of the rectangle along the side of the rectangle and half the width from the bottom left corner of the box along the same side. Draw two light horizontal lines from the marks.
Step 5
Draw a 2-inch line out from the left of the top light line. Repeat the process going left from bottom light line. Draw a dark vertical line connecting the ends of the two lines. This creates the glue flap, which will create the side of your box. If your box's sides are shorter than 2 inches you will need to make the glue flap 1 inch wide. Cut out the glue flap while keeping it attached to the rectangle.
Step 6
Make a slit in the rectangle from the top of the first dark vertical line to where the light line crosses it. Do the same with the bottom of the line. Continue with the rest of the vertical lines.
Step 7
Score along all of the light lines and along the attached edge of the glue flap with the blade of the scissors and a ruler. Use window cleaner and a paper towel to clean off the pen marks.
Step 8
Glue the glue flap to the opposite edge of the rectangle with epoxy glue. Hold the box sides in place until the glue sets.
Step 9
Fold the flaps of the widths down so that they are perpendicular to the box. Do the same with the length flaps. Tape along the ends of the length flaps to seal the box shut.
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