The 3D cube box can be part of an art project, a place to store knick-knacks, gift wrap, or beautiful ornaments to complete your holiday. Follow this handy guide to create a 3D cube and wow your friends with your skills!
Step
Method 1 of 2: Creating a Cube with Cut and Paste
Step 1. Prepare some cardstock
The paper should be thick enough so that it holds its shape and does not warp when filled with objects. The paper should also not be too thick to make it difficult for you to make neat folds. Usually, cardstock will suffice as long as the cube is not filled with heavy objects.
Depending on your project, we recommend using ornamental paper or plain white. You can also decorate paper or cubes
Step 2. Use a ruler to draw a cross shape on the paper
The cross shape should consist of one square in the middle and four adjoining squares on all sides.
These squares will be folded to form a cube
Step 3. Add one extra square below the cross shape
Make sure you leave enough space on the paper to draw this extra square.
This square will be the cover of the cube
Step 4. Add the fins
These fins should be on each side of the top, left, and right of the cross so that the connection of the two squares below is not compromised.
These fins will be used as joints to attach each side of the cube, and you can choose to glue inside or outside the box to determine how your final product will look. If made neatly and evenly, the end result will look better
Step 5. Cut your cross shape with scissors
Make sure you cut the outline of the fins and don't cut the lines connecting the rectangles.
Once cut, your cross shape can be folded and glued together to form a cube
Step 6. Fold the left and right sides of the cross shape up
Thus, the fold angle will be correct.
Make sure to make neat, smooth folds. You can use your nails to smooth out your creases
Step 7. Fold the longest part of your cross shape (two squares) up
Thus, the fold angle will be correct.
Again, fold it neatly and smoothly so that the results are good
Step 8. Fold the top square of the longest part of the cross shape
This square will be the cover of the cube.
Hold these creases while you join the sides of the cube
Step 9. Glue all sides of the cube with tape or glue
If you use clear tape or glue on the inside of the cube, it will look prettier, but you can also glue the sides of the cube from the outside with clear or colored tape.
- Make sure you glue all the joints from each side of the cube with glue or tape, and not just the middle, especially if you plan to fill the cube with candy or knick-knacks.
- The sides on top of the cube are glued last and only glue if you don't plan on filling your cube. If so, fill the cube before it is completely closed!
Step 10. Be mesmerized by your handiwork
You have created a six-sided cube.
When you're good at it, make one for each of your friends
Method 2 of 2: Using the Cube
Step 1. Make a cube for the gift box
3D cubes are most often made as gift boxes because they provide a personal and unique touch to all gifts. These cubes are perfect for small and light gifts, as they are difficult to carry if they are too large.
- You can use decorative paper for a more vibrant cube. Use printed paper, such as cardstock for scrapbooks, or create your own unique paper by decorating the cardstock with watercolors, letting it dry, and then using it to make cubes.
- Hang the cube on the Christmas tree so that it becomes a surprise decoration. Glue the string to the cube using glue or tape, and hang the string from your tree.
- Make smaller cubes each and place them all like a matryoshka doll, with the “real” prize inside the smallest cube. Here's a cute way to give someone a small gift (or even an engagement ring!)
Step 2. Try creating a 3D cube for a unique calendar
If you're celebrating Christmas (or want to adapt the Advent calendar tradition for your or a loved one's birthday), make one box each day until Christmas in December.
- Traditionally, there are 24 small spaces on the Adventist calendar and each space is filled with a Bible verse or candy, or both.
- Make 24 equal sized squares. You can make them from decorative cardstock or paint them yourself. Don't close the cube just yet!. On the top side of the cube, write down the numbers 1 through 24 calligraphy or another method you prefer.
- Glue the 3D cubes together with the lid open and facing up. You can glue them in various shapes according to your taste. You can try shapes that are 8 cubes long or 6 cubes long and 4 cubes wide, or 12 cubes long and 2 cubes wide. You can even glue them in a long row and place them on the table for decoration.
- Place knick-knacks, toys, gifts, or verse writing inside each cube and then cover them carefully with a little bit of tape. Every month until Christmas, you and your loved ones can open the box according to the numbers listed.
Step 3. Use small cubes for photography
If you're actively blogging or selling stuff on the internet, you know how difficult it is to get photos of small, interesting objects, from plates to lipstick. Use open 3D cubes as packaging for your items to produce beautiful photos.
- Create a plain white 3D cube and leave one side exposed. Lay down the cube so the open side is facing you.
- Insert the small object inside the cube slightly inward. Because 3D cubes can be created in a variety of sizes, you can create large cubes for large objects as well. You need to illuminate the whole cube to get a good picture
- For small objects in small cubes, the camera light is sufficient to illuminate the contents of the cube. For large objects, adjust the light near the cube and illuminate its contents before taking the picture.
Step 4. Done
Tips
- If you plan to fill the cube, do not cover it with glue.
- Try using slightly thicker paper such as cardstock instead of regular printing paper, unless you're making small cubes that won't fill anything.
