Assembly
Cut. Fold.
Glue. Done.
Every sheet carries this guide in its footer, so you do not need this page to build one. It is here for the details.
Print it at 100%
In the print dialog, set Scale to 100% or Actual Size. Turn off Fit to Page, Shrink to Fit and Scale to Paper. If it scales, the folds stop lining up and the box will not close.
Use paper you can fold
Normal printer paper works. Anything from 24 lb bond up to light card stock holds its shape better. If your printer takes card stock, use it.
Cut every solid line
Solid lines are cuts. That includes the outline and the angled sides of the glue tabs. Small scissors beat big ones. A craft knife and a cutting mat beat both.
Score, then fold, every dashed line
Dashed lines are folds. Run a ruler and a dead ballpoint or the back of a butter knife along each one first. Then fold them all the same direction, so the printed side ends up outside.
Glue the tabs
Tabs are the flaps with a dot on them. A glue stick is enough and will not wrinkle the paper. Put glue on the tab, tuck it inside the neighbouring face, and hold it for ten seconds.
Close it last
Work around the object and save the final face for last, like closing a box lid. Slide a pencil inside to press the last tab flat if you cannot reach it.
Reading the sheet
- Solid line
- Cut along it.
- Dashed line
- Fold along it.
- Flap with a dot
- Glue it, then tuck it inside.
When it goes wrong
The last face will not close
The sheet was printed scaled. Reprint at 100% and check the ruler mark against a real ruler.
The folds are rounded and soft
Score the dashed lines first. Paper folds sharply only where you have already crushed the fibres.
The paper warped and buckled
Wet glue. Switch to a glue stick or double-sided tape.
The tabs show on the outside
The net was folded the wrong way. Every fold goes the same direction, printed side out.