Craft a Cute Container: A Step-by-Step Guide to Making an Origami Box with Printer Paper

Origami, the ancient art of paper folding, offers a delightful way to create intricate shapes and useful objects from simple sheets of paper. While many origami projects require special paper, you can easily make a functional and charming box using readily available printer paper. This guide will walk you through each step, making it easy for beginners to create their own origami box. Perfect for storing small items, gifting trinkets, or simply enjoying the meditative process of folding, this project is a great way to explore the beauty of origami.

Why Use Printer Paper for an Origami Box?

You might be thinking, “Printer paper? Really?” Absolutely! Here’s why it’s a great choice for this origami project:

• Accessibility: Printer paper is something most people have on hand, making it convenient to start crafting right away.
• Affordability: It’s much cheaper than specialty origami paper, so you can practice without worrying about wasting expensive materials.
• Durability (for the purpose): While not as sturdy as thicker papers, printer paper is sufficiently durable to hold small lightweight objects. Once assembled, the box is surprisingly stable.
• Easy to work with: Printer paper is thin and easy to fold, which makes it a good choice for beginners learning the basics of origami.

What You’ll Need

Before you begin, gather these simple supplies:

• Two sheets of standard printer paper (8.5 x 11 inches or A4). One sheet will be for the box base, and the other for the box lid.
• A flat, clean work surface, like a table or desk.
• Optional: Bone folder or a similar tool (like a credit card). This can help create crisp, sharp folds, but isn’t strictly required.

Making the Box Base

Let’s start with the bottom half of the box. This will be slightly larger than the lid, ensuring the lid fits snugly.

Step 1: Start with a Square

Begin with one sheet of printer paper, positioned vertically (portrait orientation). You’ll need to create a perfect square. Take the upper left corner and fold it diagonally down so that the edge of the sheet aligns perfectly with the right edge. You are essentially creating a triangle. Make sure to create a crisp fold, running your finger or bone folder along the folded edge to ensure it is smooth. Now you have a triangle on the upper portion of the sheet, and some excess paper below. Cut off this extra piece using scissors along the bottom of the newly formed triangle.

Step 2: The First Fold – Horizontal and Vertical Folds

Unfold the paper back to the original square shape. Now, with the square facing up, fold the paper in half from top to bottom, creating a horizontal crease. Open it back up again. Now fold the paper in half from left to right, creating a vertical crease. Open the paper up again. You should now have two creases that intersect at the center of the square. You have divided the paper into four smaller squares.

Step 3: The Corner Folds

Now, fold each corner to the center point where the two creases you made intersect. Make sure the tips of the corners meet at the center. You should have four small triangles, all pointing to the center, meeting each other. Each fold needs to be nice and crisp for a beautiful looking box.

Step 4: Folding the Sides

With the corner folds in place, you need to make the base of the box by bringing together the edges of the paper. Now fold the top edge of the paper to the center line you created in the beginning. This crease should be parallel to the left and right edges. Make sure the edge is folded precisely up to the center crease line and not passed it. Repeat this with the bottom edge of the paper, folding it to the center crease. You should now have a rectangle where the top and bottom edges meet in the middle.

Step 5: Repeat on the Other Side

Now, unfold the top and bottom flaps you just created and then rotate the paper 90 degrees. Repeat the same steps you just did. Fold the left and right edges toward the center line. The center line is the one you created earlier in step 2. Now your shape looks like a small square, in which two opposite edges are folded towards the center on both sides of the square.

Step 6: Opening the Box

Now comes the slightly tricky part, but don’t worry, with some practice you’ll get the hang of it. Now, on one side of the paper, notice the small rectangle (flap) created by the latest fold. Take the tip of the bottom flap and lift it up and unfold it slightly. While it is slightly unfolded, gently insert your fingers into the two sides and begin to form a box. As you lift the flaps on the sides you will notice the box shape beginning to come together. If your folds are not sharp the box won’t easily shape up, so make sure you have crisp folds at all times. Repeat this for all the sides.

Step 7: Shaping the Box

Once you have lifted all the sides you will notice the box beginning to form. Ensure the edges of the box are aligned and press all the sides so that the box stands on its own.

Step 8: Final Touches

You have now completed the base of the origami box. Now press the sides and edges of the box. You can use a bone folder or a similar tool to ensure the creases are sharp. Make sure the bottom of the box sits flat.

Making the Box Lid

Now that you have successfully created the box base, let’s create the lid. The lid is made the same way as the base, but with one slight modification to ensure that the lid fits snugly over the base.

Step 1: Start with a Square

Take the second sheet of printer paper and repeat the steps to create a square just like we did with the first sheet. Take the upper left corner and fold it diagonally down so that the edge of the sheet aligns perfectly with the right edge. You are essentially creating a triangle. Make sure to create a crisp fold, running your finger or bone folder along the folded edge to ensure it is smooth. Now you have a triangle on the upper portion of the sheet, and some excess paper below. Cut off this extra piece using scissors along the bottom of the newly formed triangle.

Step 2: The First Fold – Horizontal and Vertical Folds

Unfold the paper back to the original square shape. Now, with the square facing up, fold the paper in half from top to bottom, creating a horizontal crease. Open it back up again. Now fold the paper in half from left to right, creating a vertical crease. Open the paper up again. You should now have two creases that intersect at the center of the square. You have divided the paper into four smaller squares.

Step 3: The Corner Folds – The KEY to the Lid Fit

This is where the lid creation differs slightly. When you are about to make the corner folds, you have to make sure the tip of the corners does not touch exactly at the center point where the two creases intersect. If you try to make the tips meet at the center, then the lid will not be slightly larger than the base, and you won’t be able to close the box. To make the box lid, you have to stop the corner tips *before* they touch the center point. In essence the corner tips should stop about 1 or 2 mm short of the center intersection, thus the folds will be *slightly* different than what you did for the base. Make sure all corner folds are equal to each other. The key is to make the center square slightly larger so that the lid ends up being slightly bigger than the base.

Step 4: Folding the Sides

With the corner folds in place, you need to make the base of the box by bringing together the edges of the paper. Now fold the top edge of the paper to the center line you created in the beginning. This crease should be parallel to the left and right edges. Make sure the edge is folded precisely up to the center crease line and not passed it. Repeat this with the bottom edge of the paper, folding it to the center crease. You should now have a rectangle where the top and bottom edges meet in the middle.

Step 5: Repeat on the Other Side

Now, unfold the top and bottom flaps you just created and then rotate the paper 90 degrees. Repeat the same steps you just did. Fold the left and right edges toward the center line. The center line is the one you created earlier in step 2. Now your shape looks like a small square, in which two opposite edges are folded towards the center on both sides of the square.

Step 6: Opening the Box

Now comes the slightly tricky part, but don’t worry, with some practice you’ll get the hang of it. Now, on one side of the paper, notice the small rectangle (flap) created by the latest fold. Take the tip of the bottom flap and lift it up and unfold it slightly. While it is slightly unfolded, gently insert your fingers into the two sides and begin to form a box. As you lift the flaps on the sides you will notice the box shape beginning to come together. If your folds are not sharp the box won’t easily shape up, so make sure you have crisp folds at all times. Repeat this for all the sides.

Step 7: Shaping the Lid

Once you have lifted all the sides you will notice the lid beginning to form. Ensure the edges of the lid are aligned and press all the sides so that the lid stands on its own.

Step 8: Final Touches

You have now completed the lid of the origami box. Now press the sides and edges of the lid. You can use a bone folder or a similar tool to ensure the creases are sharp. Make sure the lid sits flat. Your origami lid should now fit nicely on top of the base.

Tips and Troubleshooting

• Precision is Key: The most important thing is to make crisp, accurate folds. Any slight misalignments can make it harder to form the box correctly.
• Practice Makes Perfect: Don’t get discouraged if your first attempt isn’t perfect. Keep trying, and you’ll get better with each fold.
• Use a Flat Surface: A hard, flat surface will make folding easier and result in cleaner creases.
• Bone Folder or Credit Card: If you find your folds aren’t as sharp as you’d like, use a bone folder or a credit card to help make nice, neat creases.
• Box Doesn’t Fit? If the lid is too small, you may have folded the corners directly to the center of the square. Remember to leave a small gap between the corner tips and center during the initial folding step for the lid.
• Paper Tears? If your paper tears easily, ensure your folds are made with care and don’t apply too much force.

Creative Uses for Your Origami Box

Now that you’ve crafted your origami box, here are some creative ideas for using it:

• Gift Packaging: Use the box to present small gifts like jewelry, candies, or small trinkets.
• Desk Organizer: Store paper clips, thumbtacks, and other small office supplies.
• Jewelry Holder: Keep earrings, rings, and other small jewelry items safe and organized.
• Craft Supplies: Store small beads, buttons, or other craft materials.
• Party Favors: Fill them with treats and use them as party favors for birthdays or special occasions.
• Decorative Item: Decorate the boxes with paint, markers, or stickers to create unique decorative elements for your home or office.

Conclusion

Creating an origami box from printer paper is a fun and rewarding project that’s perfect for all ages and skill levels. With simple steps and readily available materials, you can create a functional and attractive container. Whether you’re using it for gifts, organization, or simply enjoying the art of origami, this paper box is sure to bring a smile to your face. Happy folding!