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](/static_processed/aff51ea8d3f3663d71695829633e0e8d/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/gift-box/laser-cut-cardboard-gift-box.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":1280,"height":640,"fit":"cover"}}})
Preparation
Materials required
- Corrugated cardboard, minimum dimensions 45 x 60 cm, 3 mm thick
- Extra strong double-sided adhesive tape
- Material to cover the laser bed such as paper
Laser cutting machine used
- Speedy 500, 200 watt
- 2.5" lens
- Small cone or cone with special cap (depending on availability)
- Aluminium cutting grid table
Any SP series laser cutter can be used to create this sample, as well as the Speedy 360 or Speedy 400 laser engraving machines.
Tip
Use the smallest possible cone as this prevents the material from being dirtied by burn marks.
Step by step
![Laser cut cardboard gift box](/static_processed/751494f5e3c89d77051fe727606deee9/laser-cut-cardboard-gift-box.jpg.JPG?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/gift-box/laser-cone.JPG","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "laser-cone.JPG")
Step 1: Import print and laser template
Begin by downloading our graphic and adapting it to suit your requirements. Send the graphic to the laser with the below settings.
Print settings:
| Process mode | Resolution | Cut line |
|---|---|---|
| Cut job | 1000 dpi | none |
| Halftone | Others |
|---|---|
| Colour | Optimised geometries, inner geometries first |
![Laser cutting cardboard with a SP500](/static_processed/bf632860aeaa9e92ab737265c8df2f53/laser-cutting-sp500-cardboard.jpg.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/gift-box/laser-cutter-SP500-cardboard-cutting.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "laser-cutter-SP500-cardboard-cutting.jpg")
Step 2: Laser cutting cardboard
Position the cardboard onto your laser bed with the face of the material down. To ensure sufficient vacuum that holds the material in place, cover open areas of the laser bed with paper. Then enter your material settings into the laser software. Our recommended parameters will vary depending on your laser machine and its available 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 | - | - |
Tips:
Use the external compressed air (= Gas 1) with 4 bar pressure. This blows the smoke through the cutting slots which ensures clean cut edges.
![Assembling the laser cut cardboard gift box](/static_processed/bbafe291ef68c2f957309fcbcc07a319/assembling-cardboard-gift-box.jpg.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/gift-box/assemble-gift-box.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}} "assemble-gift-box.jpg")
Step 3: Cleaning and assembly
Crease the scratched cutting lines to achieve a nice fold. To achieve this you can either use a ballpoint-pen or a folding stick. Apply the double-sided adhesive tape on the six flaps and crease all folding lines to remove tension from the cardboard. Glue the box together and it is now ready for action.
![inspiration-laser-cutting-gift-boxes](/static_processed/51391a8732060ac60d1b02e5f7f1ac83/.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/knowledge/diy-samples/gift-box/inspiration-laser-cutting-gift-boxes.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":640,"fit":"cover"}}})
Inspiration
- To make your box stand out you can personalise it by painting
- Put a piece of acrylic or wood underneath the cut-out design. This way the engraving becomes visible when the box.
- You can replace the words "Happy Birthday" with greetings or dates. This allows you to quickly and easily offer personalised boxes to your customers.
![](/static_processed/666fff4d72dd3cc08ac610849af36edf/laser-engraver-speedy-400-left.png?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/Laser_Machines/Speedy_Series/laser-engraver-speedy-400-left.png","edits":{"extract":{"top":142,"left":497,"width":933,"height":393},"resize":{"width":650,"fit":"cover"}}})
![](/static_processed/3e529ede0b67a972e10e68ca5439a17d/maxine_sweeting.jpg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/contact/Maxine_Sweeting.jpg","edits":{"resize":{"width":194,"height":194,"fit":"cover"}}})
![](/static_processed/deaa0cd210ed34968e94f144042e6483/tluk_2024_print_cut_event_popup.jpeg?{"image":"https://backend.troteclaser.com/static/images/events/en-gb/2024-04-Print_Cut-Event/TLUK_2024_Print_Cut_event_PopUp.jpeg","edits":{"resize":{"width":480,"height":480,"fit":"cover"}}})
