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A folded paper origami box, also called a masu box, is beautiful in its functional simplicity. All you need is a piece of square paper. The finished box makes a great hiding place for small treasures. With a pair of boxes, you can use one as the box and the other as a lid to wrap small gifts. Read on to learn how to make a folded paper box. Become an absolute expert. Take our wikiHow Origami Bootcamp
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Things You Should Know
- Begin with a perfectly square sheet of paper. Use origami paper or cut any sheet you have into a square.
- Make a series of folds to create structural creases in your paper. The creases will guide you while you create the box shape.
- Fold and tuck the flaps of paper along the creases to create the base and walls of the box.
Steps
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Begin with a piece of square paper. You can use origami paper or fold any piece of paper diagonally from the corner to the opposite edge and trim off the excess. It is important that the paper is square since you are creating a box. A trick is to fold your paper like a sail on a boat and cut the excess. [1] X Research source- As you make each fold, run your fingernail or a creasing tool, such as a bone folder, along the crease. This will make each fold sharp and crisp, giving the box a clean, professional look.
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Fold the paper in half horizontally (bottom edge to top edge), then unfold it.This will create a horizontal crease line across the center. [2] X Research sourceAdvertisement -
Rotate the paper 90 degrees and fold it in half horizontally again, then unfold. Use your finger to crease the fold, then open the paper again. You should now have two intersecting crease lines that form a cross in the center of the paper. [3] X Research source
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Fold the corners to the center. Bring each corner to the center, so that the points are all touching. Crease the folds with your finger. Rotate the paper so it sits squarely in front of you, but don't unfold it this time. [4] X Research source
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Fold the top and bottom edges to the center of the square. Crease the edges of both folds to secure them.
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Unfold the square along one side. Unfold the halfway folds and the triangles beneath those folds. Leave the side triangles folded in. [5] X Research source
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Fold the long edges to the center. Fold over the bottom of the still folded triangles. Crease the bottom edge. You should have what looks like a necktie with two points. [6] X Research source
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Reinforce the creases. For the purposes of the guide, the diamond furthest away from you formed by the "necktie" folds will be the "head" and the diamond closest to you will be the "foot." Match the bottom tip of the foot diamond to the bottom of the head diamond. Then, match the top tip of the head diamond to the top of the foot diamond. Crease along the long sides to solidify the folds. [7] X Research source
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Create the side walls of the box. Pull up the flaps along the long side to create the side walls of the box.
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Construct the head wall when the side walls are assembled. As you lift the head wall flap, the creases from previous folds should form two triangle shaped flaps that you will want to fold inwards. Be sure these triangles are folded inwards before proceeding. The head wall will fold over these triangle corners and the top triangle of the head wall will fit neatly into the bottom of the box where you will want to crease it snugly against the sides to keep the box together. After creasing, you should see a triangle on the bottom of the box. [8] X Research source
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Repeat the process for the opposite end or the foot wall. Try to make sure the folds are clean and not crinkly.
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Finished.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhat's the best type of paper when making a paper box?Coco Sato is an Origamist and Contemporary Artist based in Brighton, UK. She is an award-winning contemporary artist specializing in origami and geometric sculptures. With a multidisciplinary practice encompassing sculpture, performance, psychology, and geometry, she explores shifting perspectives through the intricate art of origami. Coco’s work bridges cultures by combining traditional Japanese aesthetics with contemporary concepts, inviting audiences to reconsider their relationship with the world.I'd say the type of paper will depend on where you plan to use the box for. If it's a simple storage box for holding lightweight items like paper clips, small notes, or trinkets, you can use regular printer or copy paper. It’s accessible, easy to fold, and holds its shape well. However, if you’re making a box for food—say, for snacks or serving treats—parchment paper is a fantastic choice. It’s grease-resistant, won’t leak, and can handle a bit of moisture without falling apart. But regardless of the type of paper you use, the secret to a sturdy paper box is in your folds. Precise, sharp folds create clean edges and give the box structure. Take your time to align the edges perfectly as you fold and press down firmly to secure each crease.
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QuestionHow do you make the top?Community AnswerSimply follow the same steps as above, but make the box roughly 1" bigger in every direction. This top will fit right over the bottom you made earlier.
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QuestionHow can I make a bigger box?Community AnswerUse a bigger, square-shaped sheet of paper. If the sheet is a rectangle, fold it diagonally from the top corner to the opposite edge, trim off the excess along the bottom, then follow the article. A sheet of poster paper may work, but keep in mind that the larger the paper is, the more difficult it will be to work with.
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Tips
- You might want to dab some glue on the bottom of the triangular flaps in order to make them stay down, or you can use tape.Thanks
- Use diagonal folds when you start, along with the straight folds. It will help a lot at the end.Thanks
- For best results, fold neatly. For each fold, carefully align the edge or corner with whatever edge, crease, or other feature it should meet, then crease the paper firmly.Thanks
Tips from our Readers
The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
- Be aware of your paper size. The larger and thinner the paper, the weaker the box. Certain boxes might not be able to hold heavy things without a lid.
- You may find it helpful to draw some guidelines on the paper to help you get the creases more precise.
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Warnings
- Don't put anything too heavy in the box, or it will collapse. Remember, it is paper.Thanks
- Watch out for paper cuts.Thanks
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Expert Interview
References
- ↑ https://www.origami-fun.com/origami-rectangle-box.html
- ↑ https://www.origami-fun.com/origami-rectangle-box.html
- ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/how-to-make-a-box-out-of-paper.shtml
- ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/how-to-make-a-box-out-of-paper.shtml
- ↑ https://origamijapan.net/box-type-3/
- ↑ https://origamijapan.net/box-type-3/
- ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/origami-box-2.shtml
- ↑ https://www.origamiway.com/origami-box-2.shtml
About This Article
Article Summary
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"To fold a paper box, start by folding a square pieces of paper in half both horizontally and vertically to create two creases. Then, fold each corner to the center so that the points are touching. When all points are in the center, fold the top and bottom edges to the center and crease them. Next, fold the edges and the triangles beneath them so they’re out to the sides. Bring the top and bottom edges to the center, then make them stand up vertically. Finally, construct the other two walls by folding the triangles inwards. "
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- "I used to make these as a kid for a trinket or gift boxes and wanted to show my Dad who has Alzheimer's how I would make them. I couldn't quite remember all the steps so I used wikiHow. Great visual tutorial, easy to understand and follow. Thanks!" ..." more
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