Marbled Paper Gift Boxes and Envelope
24 September 2014
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
DOWNLOAD(S):
- template_marble_box_shallow.pdf 264.3 KB
- template_marble_box.pdf 263.5 KB
- template_marble_envelope.pdf 257.3 KB
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
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
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
Make sure the whole paper has contact with the water.
STEP FIVE
Pick up the paper and let the water run off. Put it on some newspaper to dry.
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
Cut along the outline with scissors.
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
When you have scored all the lines, carefully fold them.
SHALLOW BOX STEP ONE
To make the shallow box:
Put some white glue on edge 7.
Put some white glue on edge 7.
SHALLOW BOX STEP TWO
Use a piece of paper to remove any excess glue.
SHALLOW BOX STEP THREE
Fold over and hold while the glue is drying.
SHALLOW BOX STEP FOUR
Repeat steps 10-12 on edge 6.
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
If you find it hard to apply even pressure across the join, put it against a table and press.
SHALLOW BOX STEP SEVEN
Done!
SQUARE BOX STEP ONE
To make the square box:
Put some white glue on edge 3.
Put some white glue on edge 3.
SQUARE BOX STEP TWO
Use a piece of paper to remove any excess glue.
SQUARE BOX STEP THREE
Fold over and hold while the glue is drying. Do the same thing on edge 4.
SQUARE BOX STEP FOUR
Repeat on edge 5 and 6.
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
Done!
ENVELOPE STEP ONE
To make the envelope:
Put some white glue on 2 A and B
Put some white glue on 2 A and B
ENVELOPE STEP TWO
Use a piece of paper to remove any excess glue.
ENVELOPE STEP THREE
Fold 1 and 3 over and hold while the glue is drying.
ENVELOPE STEP FOUR
Done!