Do you need to ship a product and don’t have a shipping box? Or maybe you just bought some new shoes, and they came in a box that’s too big for your trash can. Whatever the reason, learning how to make folding boxes is a useful skill to have. It may seem daunting at first, but with these nine easy steps, you’ll be able to fold any box in no time!
The Purpose of Folding Boxes:
Folding boxes serves two purposes.
- To make the box smaller for storage
- To make it easier to assemble.
When you’re ready to use the box, simply unfold it and follow the instructions below.
The Four Categories:
There are four categories of folding boxes.
- Regular Slotted Container (RSC)
- Die-Cut Mailer
- Half-Slotted Container (HSC)
- Full Overlap Slotted Container (FOL)
We’ll be focusing on the Regular Slotted Container, as it is the most common type of box.
Check Out The Steps:
- First, find a box that’s the right size for what you need. If you’re shipping something, make sure the box is big enough to fit your product with some extra space for padding. If you’re trying to store a smaller item, look for a box that’s not too much bigger than the item itself.
- Once you have your box, locate the flaps on each end. These are usually the longest sides of the box. On one end, there will be two flaps – one on top of the other. On the other end, there will only be one flap.
- Fold along the lines where the flaps meet the rest of the box. For example, if you’re folding along an imaginary line from the top left corner to the bottom right corner, you would fold the top flap down first and then fold the bottom flap up on top of it.
- Repeat this process on the other end of the box, again folding along the lines where the flaps meet the rest of the box. When you’re finished, your box should look like a rectangle with two smaller rectangles attached to one end.
- Now it’s time to start folding in the sides. Find one of the short sides of your rectangle – this will be a side with two flaps attached. Fold one flap in towards the center of the rectangle, and then fold over the other flap so that it covers up most of first flap. You may need to adjust the first flap so that it’s lined up nicely with the second flap.
- Repeat this process on the other short side of the rectangle. When you’re finished, your box should look like a smaller rectangle with two flaps attached to one end.
- Now we’re going to start folding in the remaining flaps. Find the flap on one end of the rectangle – this will be a flap with only one layer. Fold it in towards the center of the rectangle, and then tuck it underneath the other flap.
- Repeat this process on the other end of the box, again folding in the flap with only one layer and tucking it underneath the second flap. At this point, your box should be starting to take shape.
- To finish the folding box, find the two remaining flaps – these will be the flaps with two layers. Fold each flap in towards the center of the rectangle, and then tuck them underneath the other flap.
And that’s it! Your box is now ready to use. Whether you’re shipping a product or storing an item, you can rest assured knowing that your box will stay nice and snug.
Conclusion:
Folding boxes is a great way to save space and keep your items safe. With these nine easy steps, you’ll be able to fold any box in no time! Give it a try the next time you need to pack something up.
Alton Clarke was born and raised in Syracuse. He has written for MSNBC, The Business Insider and Passport Magazine. In regards to academics, Alton earned a degree from St. John’s University. Alton covers entertainment and culture stories here at Diving daily.