Marbled Paper Gift Boxes and Envelope

Marbled Paper Gift Boxes and Envelope

Marbling originated in Japan and the Middle East and is now closely associated with Venice, so it's apt that this project brings together jewel-bright Japanese marbling inks with fine Italian paper by Fabriano. The abstract swirls can resemble geological samples, far off galaxies or tiny landscapes that look amazing when folded into simple angular shapes. Old masters are able to control this to staggering effect; for beginners, the joy is often in the surprise. We've created three shapes, each in a range of sizes for very special gift wrapping, or to keep and display.

YOU'LL NEED:
  • Paper
  • Marbling Colors
  • A bone folder and ruler (or a scoring board)
  • A shallow tub for water (slightly bigger than your paper)
  • A dowel or stick
  • A pencil
  • Scissors
  • Glue
  • A printer
STEP ONE
STEP ONE

Fill a pan with water. Add color by gently tapping your finger on the bottle to float the drops on the water. Add as many colors you like.
STEP TWO
STEP TWO

There is probably already a beautiful pattern in the water so you could either skip this step or try it out! Take a stick and stir it around to blend the colors. Do this straight after putting in the color, as it may start to clot.
STEP THREE
STEP THREE

When you feel happy with the pattern gently put the paper on the water surface. Don't let the paper stay in the water for too long - max 4 seconds.
STEP FOUR
STEP FOUR

Make sure the whole paper has contact with the water.
STEP FIVE
STEP FIVE

Pick up the paper and let the water run off. Put it on some newspaper to dry.
STEP SIX
STEP SIX

Print out one of our three templates and choose the size you want to make. Cut it out and place it on the marbled paper. When you are happy about the position of it, carefully trace it with a lead pencil.
STEP SEVEN
STEP SEVEN

Cut along the outline with scissors.
STEP EIGHT
STEP EIGHT

With the template for reference, score your folds using a ruler and the pointed end of a bone folder. The bone folder is a bookbinder's tool used for making a perfect fold.
STEP NINE
STEP NINE

When you have scored all the lines, carefully fold them.
SHALLOW BOX STEP ONE
SHALLOW BOX STEP ONE

To make the shallow box:
Put some white glue on edge 7.
SHALLOW BOX STEP TWO
SHALLOW BOX STEP TWO

Use a piece of paper to remove any excess glue.
SHALLOW BOX STEP THREE
SHALLOW BOX STEP THREE

Fold over and hold while the glue is drying.
SHALLOW BOX STEP FOUR
SHALLOW BOX STEP FOUR

Repeat steps 10-12 on edge 6.
SHALLOW BOX STEP FIVE
SHALLOW BOX STEP FIVE

Repeat steps 10-12 for edge 1 and tuck it down as the picture shows, this can be fiddly.
SHALLOW BOX STEP SIX
SHALLOW BOX STEP SIX

If you find it hard to apply even pressure across the join, put it against a table and press.
SHALLOW BOX STEP SEVEN
SHALLOW BOX STEP SEVEN

Done!
SQUARE BOX STEP ONE
SQUARE BOX STEP ONE

To make the square box:
Put some white glue on edge 3.
SQUARE BOX STEP TWO
SQUARE BOX STEP TWO

Use a piece of paper to remove any excess glue.
SQUARE BOX STEP THREE
SQUARE BOX STEP THREE

Fold over and hold while the glue is drying. Do the same thing on edge 4.
SQUARE BOX STEP FOUR
SQUARE BOX STEP FOUR

Repeat on edge 5 and 6.
SQUARE BOX STEP FIVE
SQUARE BOX STEP FIVE

If you find it hard to apply even pressure across the join, put it against a table and press.
SQUARE BOX STEP SIX
SQUARE BOX STEP SIX

Done!
ENVELOPE STEP ONE
ENVELOPE STEP ONE

To make the envelope:
Put some white glue on 2 A and B
ENVELOPE STEP TWO
ENVELOPE STEP TWO

Use a piece of paper to remove any excess glue.
ENVELOPE STEP THREE
ENVELOPE STEP THREE

Fold 1 and 3 over and hold while the glue is drying.
ENVELOPE STEP FOUR
ENVELOPE STEP FOUR

Done!

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