What You'll Need

• Shoe box, stationery box, envelope box, invitation box, or any reasonably strong box with a separate cover and base.
• Miscellaneous scraps of paper, contact paper, wrapping paper, fabric, etc. to cover the box
• Miscellaneous scraps of ribbon, stickers, buttons, doilies, sequins, or other decorative components to embellish the box
• Paper-safe glue to hold the corners of the box together.
• Paper clips or binder clips to hold the corners together while drying if using a glue that takes a while to set.
• Permanent double sided tape or adhesive to attach paper to box.
• Single sided tape if any patching is required.
• Small pieces of cardboard if patching is required.
• Scissors, and perhaps a paper cutter or craft knife.

Instructions

Step 1: Look at the box construction and reverse the assembly to un-assemble it and lay it flat. Do this with both the base and the cover. Be careful that you do not rip the overlapping areas as you will need to overlap them again.

Step 2: You want to start with minimal bumps on the box. Remove any/all stickers, blotches of glue, etc. from the box. Patch holes from the inside by taping cardboard over the holes.

Step 3: Put glue or tape around all open edges of the box base (unless using a self-stick paper like contact paper). Place paper smoothly onto the box base. If you have a very large piece of paper, you can self-line by wrapping the paper all the way over to the inside and taping it down on the inside. Otherwise, roll it inside at least an inch or so and tape or glue down. If you want to use a patchwork effect or multiple materials to cover the exterior of the box, assemble the various patches, stripes, etc. prior to applying to the box and apply as one piece.

Step 4: If lining separately, place and adhere your lining after the exterior material is in place. You may select to cut a separate piece of cardboard the size of the bottom of the box, decorate that, and then place it in the bottom of the box for a very smooth bottom finish.

Step 5: Trim any edges as needed.

Step 6: Re-assemble the box base, gluing well at the corners and any other place where the box is over-lapped. If you are using a glue that does not dry quickly, you can use a paper clip or binder clip to hold it together while it dries.

Step 7: Repeat these steps for the box cover.

Step 8: With a fully covered box base and cover, select assorted trims and glue or tape on, as desired.

Step 9: If using as a gift box, wrap ribbon around the box and tie it in a bow to hold the box together when giving.

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