Hi Everybody! Welcome back to my blog! Today we’re making this self closing pop top box 3D project. The key to making the self closing pop top part of this box is a circular object you can score around. This object should be about 3¼” in diameter.
This object could be a lid as I have used, or a ribbon spool, or a dish. As long as it is circular and you can score around it. Let’s get started making this adorable box!
Supplies
- Cardstock: 10½ x 6½”, score long side at 2½, 5, 7½, 10″, score short side at 2½, 5″.
- Circular object 3¼” diameter to score around.
- scraps of glimmer paper, ribbon, DSP, etc. for decoration
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Check out another 3D project tutorial here!
Scoring
Score your cardstock as stated in the supplies list above. Take a look at your score lines. You should have 2 sets of squares running along the bottom and skinnier rectangles along the top edge. This is where you’ll need to take a ruler and make a tick mark at the top of each of the smaller rectangles at 1¼”. Each small rectangle is 2½” wide, so you want the center of each small rectangle.
Using the circular object we talked about earlier and a scoring stylus, score from that center tick mark to the lower corner of each rectangle. Repeat so the arcs go both ways on each of the 4 rectangles.
Cutting and Folding
Next cut and miter the squares on the other end as shown in the image here. You’ll want two of the flaps that are square and two of them that are mitered. You’ll also want to cut off the skinny rectangle to the left of all the squares. This is what your project should look like at this stage. Fold and burnish all the short (vertical) score lines and the horizontal score line right above the flaps. Give the upper long score line (under the arcs) a soft fold, don’t burnish it.
Here is where you’ll want to start training your scored arcs. Using your hands, train each of the arcs to fold toward the inside of the box. This can be a bit fiddly, so take your time here.
Place adhesive on the outside of the ½” flap. Fold it over along with one square. Fold the other side over and adhere it to the flap. See the video below for complete instructions. Making a box this way will ensure it is square.
Here where you’ll want to do some of the decorating. It is easier to decorate when the self closing pop top box is laying flat than when it is in 3D form.
Forming the Self Closing Pop Top Box
Remember how when we cut the bottom flaps, we cut two of them square and two of them mitered. Here why. When you close up the bottom of the box, you’ll fold in a square flap, then the two mitered flaps, and finally the second square flap. You’ll adhere them in this order. The reason for this is that you’ll want a full flap on the inside and the outside of the box. But the mitered flaps will help everything lay flat.
In order to make the self closing pop top part of the box, start squeezing in at all 4 corners. The arced areas should squeeze down. If the top doesn’t want to stay down, push it down further so it is flat (see video). Once you’ve pushed it further down, then pop it back up, it should train it to stay down at the first step down.
Lastly, you’ll want to finish decorating your self closing pop top box.
Check out another 3D project tutorial here!
