DIY Milk Carton Gift Box
/Looking for a simple party favour or gift box? Make your own mini milk carton boxes using scrapbook paper and a scoring board. A clever way to make a homemade gift box with a difference.
Follow the simple step by step instructions and you’ll soon be scoring, cutting and folding your own unique gift boxes from scratch.
These cute little gift boxes make the perfect party favours, place settings or gift boxes for your nearest and dearest.
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This post was originally shared in 2015 but has since been updated.
DIY Milk Carton.
Today I have a fun DIY gift box project to share - it’s a DIY mini milk carton gift box that would be great for wedding favours, party treats or an extra special way to wrap small gifts or chocolates.
I love making these little boxes. Apart from the fact that they’re surprisingly easy to make, they’re also much bigger on the inside than you might think and are adorable to boot. Each box is a 2.5-inch cube with a bit extra on top for the milk carton style top.
I made these ones from scratch using scrapbook paper and a scoring board but if you're not feeling quite so confident or don’t have a scoring board, I have a slightly taller version here with a free template for you to download. Either way, all you need to do is score, fold and cut to make your own unique gift boxes.
Supplies:
Scrapbook paper or card stock
I used the Diy Shop range from Crate Paper which is sadly no longer available but you can’t go wrong with any of the American Crafts paper. It’s all gorgeous.
Scoring Board or if you don't have one you could use an embossing tool and a ruler
Scissors
Double-sided tape or a glue stick
And some mini wooden pegs (these coloured ones are super cute) or mini binder clips.
What is a scoring board?
Have you ever wondered how people get such nice crisp folds in their papercraft projects? The answer is probably a scoring board.
A scoring board has grooves you can score every 1/8 inch making it perfect for making cards, envelopes or notebooks. If you do a lot of paper crafting and don't already have one of these I can highly recommend it. It makes scoring crisp, precise lines a breeze. I know it made making these simple paper gift bags and simple DIY gift boxes easier.
I always use my Martha Stewart Scoring Board. I’ve had it for years and don’t know what I’d do without it as I usually use it at least once a week. I know it’s hard to get hold of nowadays so I’ve rounded a few of my favourite alternatives below.
Recommended Scoring Boards:
How to make a milk carton.
1. Take your piece of scrapbook paper or card stock and using either a scoring board or a ruler and embossing tool score lines at 2.5 inches, 5 inches, 7.5 inches, 10 inches and 10.5 inches.
2. Turn your paper 90 degrees and score again this time at 2.5 inches, 5 inches, 6.5 inches and 7 inches (see image below).
3. Trim paper to size.
The trimmed paper should measure 10.5 inches wide and 7 inches long.
4. Crease along all the score lines. Run a bone folder (a butter knife works well if you don’t have one) over the folds to get a sharp crease.
5. Cut along the score lines from the base of your paper up to the 2.5-inch mark to make the flaps which will form the bottom of your box.
6. Cut away the narrow side tab like in the picture above.
7. Fold your paper and glue the side tab down to make a tube.
I used double-sided tape but you could also use a glue stick, just make sure to let it dry before you continue on with each step.
8. Apply tape or glue to the top (patterned side) of 3 of the bottom flaps.
9. Fold each one on top of each other to form the base. The one without any tape should be the last flap you fold down.
10. Take your box and gently pinch in the sides.
The box should fold in easily. The scored lines will stop the top of your box from folding in too much.
11. Use a mini peg or bulldog clip to keep the top of your box closed.
I used plain mini wooden pegs and decorated them with washi tape. If you don't have any mini pegs you could always punch a couple of holes in the top and tie some ribbon or thread through instead.
Don't fancy doing all the measuring and scoring yourself? Check out these Printable Diy Milk Carton Gift Boxes I made and download the free milk carton printable template.
