Welcome to another In Detail post. This week, I’m reviewing the We R Memory Keepers Gift Box Punch Board, and as a point of comparison, showing ways to create boxes with the We R Memory Keepers Envelope Punch Board.
The Envelope Punch Board was the first punch board introduction for We R Memory Keepers. In addition to the Gift Box Punch Board, We R Memory Keepers have more recently released punch boards to create Gift Bags, Pillow Boxes, Flowers, and Candy Boxes, and the list continues to grow. The punch boards make it possible to create one-of-a-kind party and gift products using paper many of us already have in our supplies. When I first heard of these boards, I was thrown by the name, and thought they were more complicated that they really are. I now think of them more as “score boards” as they are designed to help score various items.
The Gift Box Punch Board comes with an instruction sheet and scoring tool. One feature I noticed right away was that the scoring tool storage was integrated into the design.
On the board are a set of measurements (formulas) for desired box sizes in both inches and centimeters. Each of the box sizes is followed by the paper size required and the “start line” and “diagonal line.” The “start line” is where you line up your paper on the board and it’s predefined as “S,” “M,” “L” and “XL.” With a range of paper sizes from 6" x 6" to 12" x 12", four start lines and four diagonal lines, there are 16 box sizes possible from a 1 ¾" x 1 ¾" x 1 ¾" box to a 4" x 4" x 4" one.
Both square and rectangular boxes are possible. For example, an 8" x 8" paper makes a 2 ½" x 2 ½" x 2 ½" box when the Start Line and Diagonal Line are both “M.” For the same size paper, if the Start Line is “L” and the Diagonal Line is “S,” then you’ll create a 3 ¼" x 3 ¼" x 1 ¾" box. The instruction sheet provides the formulas for five additional boxes that can be created, however the Diagonal score lines would need to be folded by hand.
The box punch board has three sets of scoring lines – vertical, horizontal and diagonal.
The creation of the boxes is quite simple once you get the hang of it. I practiced a few times before I “got it right” and suggest using scrap/scratch paper before making boxes with your final project paper.
Creating a Box with the Gift Box Punch Board
Let’s go through the steps to create a 4" x 4" x 4" box with a 12" x 12" paper, which is the largest box you can make with the punch board. I’m using paper from the Lawn Fawn Let’s Polka Collection Kit.
Step 1: Line up the paper on the “XL” start line.
Step 2: Notch the paper with the punch mechanism.
Step 3: Score the paper vertically along the score line. I noticed that the paper had a tendency to shift away from the top, as I scored down. Be sure paper is held snugly in place.
Step 4: Score the paper horizontally along the score line. Since the paper is longer, the extension arm should be out.
Step 5: Score the paper diagonally until it meets the horizontal line.
Step 6: Rotate the paper 90 degrees and repeat the notching and scoring. Continue to do so around the paper.
Step 7: Flip the paper to the other side. Line the paper up at the XL start line and notch with the punch mechanism. Rotate and repeat for the other three sides. At this point, the paper should have two notches per side.
Step 8: Punch attachment slits on the four corners using the other side of the punch mechanism, which rounds the corners in addition to cutting the slit.
Step 9: Using the bone folder, crease the side score lines and then the flap score lines on all four sides.
Step 10: The diagonal score lines in the four corners must be folded inward by hand.
Step 11: Connect opposite flaps with the attachment slits.
I didn’t use any adhesive to hold the corners together in my example. However, without adhesive, the box opens up when not attached.
You can read my review of adhesives in this In Detail post. Double-sided Be Creative Tape, 5mm (1/4") would be a good choice to attach the corners. The boxes can be finished off in any number of ways, for example with ribbon, a belly-band, or a die cut bow.
Once you’ve made one, you can easily make any of the other possible box sizes. I made a 3 ¼" x 3 ¼" x 1 ¾" box with paper cut to 8" x 8" from the Lawn Fawn Let’s Polka Collection Kit.
The We R Memory Keepers Gift Box Punch Board is well-made, compact, and well-designed. It would be especially useful for creating gift boxes to coordinate with an event’s theme and colors. I can also picture using the Gift Box Punch Board to craft small boxes for a custom-made advent calendar.
Creating a Box with the Envelope Punch Board
Now let’s say you already own the Envelope Punch Board and are wondering if you need the Gift Box Punch Board. How about first making a box with the Envelope Punch Board?
There are a couple of key differences with making a box with the Envelope Punch Board. To begin with, you’ll be choosing a measurement to start off, rather than a one of four fixed sizes. The Envelope Punch Board has score lines in ⅛" measurements. Additionally, the board only has one score line which means you’ll be creating shorter score lines that match up in the middle and you won’t have a diagonal line for your corners. Those will be folded without being scored.
To create a box with the Envelope Punch Board, I lined up a sheet of 12" x 12" paper, from the Lawn Fawn Let’s Polka Collection Kit, at the 3" score line. I notched the paper with the punch mechanism and then scored.
I rotated the paper 90 degrees and repeated the process until all four sides were notched and scored. Note: For the initial score line, you use the measurement at the top of the punch board. For subsequent scoring, line the score mark on the paper with the score guide on the punch mechanism.
I then flipped the paper over and repeated the process, so that every side had two notches and the score lines joined together.
The flap corners need to be scored individually, since the envelope punch board has only one score line.
Round the corners with the opposite side of the punch mechanism and crease the score lines.
Fold the four corners in by hand. Unlike the box created with the Gift Box Punch Board, there’s no score line in the corners.
The finished box has four round flap tops, but there’s no attachment slit with which to attach the flaps. Like the box created with the Gift Box Punch Board, adhesive can be added to the corners for structure. The box can be taped shut or held with ribbon or a belly band. This box measures 3¾" x 3¾" x 4¼" tall.
What about specialty or more unusual boxes?
So you’ve created a few boxes with one of the punch boards and want to do more. I tried creating an acetate box with the Gift Box Punch Board. To begin with, I found that it was difficult to score the acetate sufficiently. I had to crease the score lines with a lot of force to create a fold. Furthermore, there’s the issue of a visible corner flap when the box is closed. Take a look.
Creating a “view” box
I was interested in creating a “view” box, in which the contents were visible through an opening. It’s possible to create one with a Circle Scissor Pro. Simply cut the desired circle size in one of the box faces and insert a sheet of acetate over the opening. However, I don’t own a circle cutter of this type, nor did I have a circle punch that would work.
Therefore, I was limited to the size of paper that fits through the Big Shot. It turns out that the maximum size paper that fits through the Big Shot is roughly 6 ¼" wide. The paper will extend slightly over the Cutting Plate.
The only box using a paper size within that range which can be created with the Envelope Punch Board is one measuring 1 ¾" x 1 ¾" x 1 ¾". Using the smallest circle die in the Sizzix Circle Framelits Die Set, I would be able to cut a tiny window in the box.
Another option is to create a view box using the Envelope Punch Board.
Cut paper to 6 ¼" square. Line the paper at the 2 ⅝" line on the Envelope Punch Board, notch and score. Repeat at the 3 ⅝" line.
Rotate the paper 90 degrees and repeat the notching and scoring. Continue to do so around the paper. Round the corners with the opposite side of the punching mechanism.
The reverse side of the box should look like this.
You can crease along the score lines before or after cutting the center with the 2 ½" circle from the Sizzix Circle Framelits Die Set.
You’ll need to snip the corners with scissors for this style of box.
Add an acetate panel to cover the opening. The resulting box is sized for four tea lights or a few chocolate candies. The box front measures 3⅛" × 3⅛"; the box is approximately ¾" tall.
If you had just one size box to make and wanted an alternative to a punch board, consider:
The Little B Box & Bows Template Die makes a completed box of 1 ¾" x 1 ¾" x 1 ¾", the same size as the smallest box possible with the Gift Box Punch Board.
The Lifestyle Crafts Rectangle Box Die makes a 3⅛" x 2" x 1" box.
Looking for more Punch Board inspiration? Check out these previously published CLASSroom projects:
File Folder Cards by Sharon Harnist
Making Envelopes by Julia Stainton
The DIY Envelope by Julie Ebersole
Hello Monday 12.16.2013 by Julie Ebersole
--Jean
