The size is the inside of the box when it is folded.
The SVG has the same cut lines (black) and fold lines (blue, dashed) at full size, on one sheet, with no shrinking.
Making the PDF…
About the box template maker
Make a box out of one sheet of paper. Type the width, depth and height you want, pick a box type, and the tool draws the flat shape (the "net") for you. Print it, cut along the solid lines, fold along the dashed lines, and glue the flaps.
You can choose four boxes: a tuck-end box (the lid tucks in, no glue needed on top), an open-top tray, a box with a separate lid, and a gift box where the lid is part of the same sheet. Everything is drawn in your browser. Nothing is uploaded.
Features
- 4 box types — tuck-end box, open-top tray, box with a separate lid, and gift box with an attached lid
- Your own size — width, depth and height in inches, centimetres or millimetres
- Clear lines — solid cut lines, dashed fold lines, angled glue flaps and a small legend
- Fit settings — glue flap width, tuck depth, paper thickness allowance and lid height
- Looks — line art, kraft, solid colour, polka dots, stripes or flowers, with your own colours
- Your own text — a name or greeting on the lid or the front, sized to fit
- Big boxes are never cut off — the net is split over pages at full size, or shrunk, and the status line tells you
- PDF and SVG — print the PDF, or download the SVG for a cutting machine
How to use it
- Pick the Box type.
- Type the Width, Depth and Height, and pick the unit.
- Change the glue flap, tuck depth or paper allowance if you need to.
- Type a name or greeting if you want one on the box, and choose a Style and colours.
- Check the preview. It is the real PDF.
- Press Download PDF or Print. Print at 100% (Actual size) on cardstock.
- Cut the solid lines, score and fold the dashed lines, then glue the flaps.
Common box sizes
The table shows the flat size of the tuck-end box with a 0.5 in glue flap and a 0.6 in tuck. Sizes are width × depth × height.
| Box (in) | Good for | Flat size (in) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 × 2 × 2 | Small gifts, jewelry | 8.5 × 7.2 |
| 2 × 1 × 4 | Pens, soap bars | 6.5 × 7.2 |
| 3 × 3 × 3 | Gift box, party favor | 12.5 × 10.2 |
| 4 × 4 × 4 | Cupcake, mug set | 16.5 × 13.2 |
A 3 × 3 × 3 in gift box with an attached lid has a flat size of 9 × 12.6 in. An open-top tray is flat (width + 2 × height) by (depth + 2 × height).
What if the box is bigger than the paper?
Many nets are bigger than one sheet. The tool never cuts a net off without telling you. You can choose:
- Split it over pages — the net is printed at full size on 2 or more pages. Each page has corner marks and dotted lines where the next page overlaps. Tape the pages edge to edge.
- Shrink it to fit one page — the box gets smaller, and the page and the status line show the scale in red.
If tiling would need more than 16 pages, the tool shrinks the net and says so.
Frequently asked questions
How do I make a box out of paper?
Print the template on cardstock. Cut along the solid lines. Score the dashed lines with a ruler and a dull pen, then fold them. Glue the grey glue flap inside the last side. Close the bottom, then the lid.
What is the paper thickness allowance?
Paper has thickness. Lids and tuck flaps that are cut to the exact size can be too tight. The allowance makes them a little looser. 0.02 in (0.5 mm) works for most cardstock.
Which unit should I use?
Use the unit of your ruler. The size is the inside of the folded box. Your settings are saved in your browser.
Can I use the SVG with a cutting machine?
Yes. The SVG has the cut lines in black and the fold lines in blue, dashed, at full size. Load it into your machine software and set the cut and score lines. Patterns are not in the SVG, only the lines and the colour fills.
Is the box the size I typed?
Yes, when you print at 100% (Actual size). If the net was shrunk, the status line shows the scale. Measure the printed lines with a ruler to check.
Can I put my name on the lid?
Yes. Type it in Your text on the box. The text is turned so it reads the right way when the lid is closed.
Good to know
- Use 65–110 lb (176–300 g/m²) cardstock for a box that holds its shape.
- The preview and the PDF come from the same drawing, so what you see is what prints.
- US Letter is used on the English page, A4 on the other languages.
- A box that is much taller than it is wide may need a bigger glue flap.
- Nothing you type leaves your device.
Related tools
- Printable Gift Tags — tags for the finished gift box
- Greeting Card Maker — a card to go inside
- Name Tag Maker — name cards for party favor boxes
- Print Envelope — print an address on an envelope
- Label Maker — stickers and labels for your boxes
