This box, known as both a portfolio box or card box, is a sturdy item designed to hold either multiple loose sheets such as prints, sketches, paintings and the like. It can also be custom measured to a specific size and depth to hold a journal or handmade book.

I created the piece shown here during a workshop last week with the amazing book- and box-making instructor, Avril Makula, from Alphabet City Press.

The design is such that the top opens right to left, as per a book, with individual internal flaps opening top, bottom and left to right, so creating a large flat piece to view the contents. It is constructed with 1.7mm box board and to achieve the inset on the front I adhered a .6mm piece of card with a cut-out before covering and adhering the inlaid feature.

After opening the box you see the top and bottom flaps, which are measured to meet in the centre.

The final flap is then seen.

And once fully opened the internal feature panels are revealed

There are quite a few components to the box and a few specific things to note.

• Both the box board and the paper grain should run the same way – vertically.
• Individual board pieces need to be separated when adhering to the paper to allow for folding. The distance is normally the width of the board plus a fraction.
• When gluing paper to box board (or vice versa) it’s worth drying each stage under plain paper and weights to avoid warping.
• Apply ribbon ties by using a chisel to puncture a line through the cover and base. Push the ribbons through and glue into cut-away recesses in the board so the surface remains flat.
• When adhering internal covers ensure they are pushed firmly into the non-board, folding areas so the box folds correctly without creases.
• And most importantly: MEASURE AT LEAST TWICE before cutting. It can be an expensive and time consuming mistake if you don’t check your pieces before gluing.

A few process shots showing the board and paper layout, a close-up of reinforcing the corners before turning in the edges and the addition of feature paper on the top and bottom flaps.

Kristi from Handmade Books and Journals has provided instructions for this type of box HERE and worksheets / templates HERE if you want to make your own. Many thanks, Kristi.