Doing It Wrong

simple box from a square paper. box length & width is 1/3 the paper’s length and width. its height is half of that, or 1/6 the paper’s length. box sides and bottom are double layered. the inside layer of the box bottom is where the 4 corners of the paper meet. use a sticker there for extra security.

a masu box makes an excellent lid, as well. to fit a lid, in step 2, fold the sides a little short of the center, instead of going all the way.

to make a masu cube, in step 2, fold in thirds instead of folding quarters that meet in the center.

a simple box with weak ends and double-layer sides. fold paper in thirds to establish sections. middle section becomes box floor. form side walls with each outer third and middle section. unfold side walls, crease & pinch to form ends.

box can be flattened & re-opened, as desired.

a simple box with square stable ends. bottom and one wall are 1 layer, the other side wall is 2 layers.

to produce a box that is x” by y”, use a sheet of paper that is 4x” by (y + 2x)”. sample grid box is 6 squares by 12 squares, made from a 24×24 sheet. to make a cube, use a sheet that is twice as long as it is wide.

folding diagram for a simple open-top box with high back and low front.