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Cardboard gift box

In this tutorial, you will learn how to make a classy and individual gift box out of a simple sheet of corrugated board.

laser-cut-cardboard-gift-box
laser-cut-cardboard-gift-box

Preparation

You Will Need
  • Cardboard, min. 45 x 60cm, 3mm thick
  • Double-sided adhesive tape, extra strong
  • Covering material
Machine Used
  • SP500, 200 Watt
  • 2.5" lens
  • Small cone or cone with specialty cap (depending on availability)
  • Aluminium cutting grid table

You can use any machine from the SP series as well as either the Speedy 360 or even the Speedy 400 to create this sample.

Tip

Ensure that you use the smallest cone possible! This will prevent the material from being dirtied or damaged by burn marks. 

graphic-files-cardboard-gift-box.zip

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laser-parameter-cardboard-3mm.zip

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Step by step

laser-cone
Step 1

Step 1: Import Print & Laser Template

Download our graphic and make any adaptations you require. Then, send the graphic to the laser machine using the following settings:

Print Settings:

Process Mode Resolution Cut Line
Cut Job 1000 dpi None
Halftone Others
Colour Optimised Geometries, Inner Geometries First
laser-cutter-SP500-cardboard-cutting
Step 2

Step 2: Laser Process - Cardboard

Place the cardboard inside your laser engraving machine with the material facing down. Make sure you cover the rest of the laser bed with scrap paper to ensure you get sufficient suction from the vacuum and the cardboard stays in place. Then, enter the material settings. Please note that the parameters can vary depending on the laser machine you are using as well as the laser power. 

Laser Parameters

Colour Process  Power (%) Speed (%) ppi/Hz
Cutting Slowly: Red Cut CO2 30 1.5 5000
Scratching: Blue Cut CO2 10 3 5000
Cutting Fast: Green Cut CO2 50 3 5000
Passes Air Assist Z-Offset Advanced
1 Gas 1 - -
1 Gas 1 - -
1 Gas 1 - -

Info:

Be sure to use the external compressed air (= Gas 1) with 4 bar pressures. This will blow the smoke directly through the cutting slots. This will ensure clean-cut edges every single time!

assemble-gift-box
Step 3

Step 3: Cleaning & Assembly

Now, gutter the scratched cutting lines to achieve a nice fold. You can use either a ballpoint pen or a folding stick for this. Apply some double-sided adhesive tape onto the six flaps. Now, make a crease on all the folding lines to remove any tension from the cardboard. Glue the box together, and you're all done! You now have a beautiful, individual, cardboard gift box!

inspiration-laser-cutting-gift-boxes
inspiration-laser-cutting-gift-boxes

Inspiration

  • To make your box special and different, try painting the box once you've finished cutting.
  • Try placing a piece of wood or acrylic underneath the cut-out design. You can create an individual engraving here that will appear when you open the box. 
  • Feel free to replace the words 'Happy Birthday' with any message, date or image of your choice. This is a great way to offer your customers something unique and personalised!

Speedy series
 The ideal laser engraver and cutter for personalisation.

Discover laser engravers and cutters

Questions about applications or settings?
We're happy to advise you from A for Air assist to Z for z-offset.

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