A paper shadow box is a great decorative piece made of mostly paper that can be used for a multitude of designs.
I have a deep love for shadow boxes. They have such a cool layered effect that can be used to enhance a single photo or overlay a bunch of photos. And I was curious to see if I could make a shadow box (including the frame) entirely out of paper. It took a bit of planning, but I was able to do it! Minus the acrylic panel on the front but I don’t think see-through paper is a thing.
I decided to do a board game inspired shadow box with the layers being all different. There are some classic board game imageries for me including hexes, trains, meeples, and puzzle pieces. The only think I am really missing is dice. Which I only just thought of now… Oops.
Anyway, I designed the all the different layers as well as a paper accordion that would hold all the layers in place. This was one of the things I took some time to design because figuring out how to space the layers was a challenge.
All the layers can be printed on an 8 by 11-inch paper but the box will need a 12 by 12-inch paper. The files as available here:
Check out the Craft section of MCG for more fun patterns in strings and things or more unlimited ideas.
Supplies
For this paper shadow box project, I used construction paper (with differing thickness), a sheet of acrylic paper, and a Velcro sticker set. I used a thick blue paper for the exterior and the accordion divider and a mixture of black, red, orange, yellow, green, and purple for the different layers. I have seen some shadow boxes use the same color for all layers, but I think lighting is needed to really make that type of box work.
Process
Cutting and Scoring
The first step in making this paper shadow box cutting out all the different layers and elements. I used the Cricut, but the above templates work just as well. For using the templates, print out each design and cut away the excess (or dead) space marked with an X. The most complicated shape among the layers is the train. But don’t let the box fool you into thinking it’s easy.
Then it is time to score the paper along the dotted lines. Scoring is important because it helps guide the paper on where it should fold. This makes it easier to create the desired shape and removes any excess folding lines. I have a scoring pen, but a ruler and a pen cap will work just as well.
Scoring the box felt simple compared to scoring the accordion. The accordion just has a lot of lines in proximity. And the paper I used was trying to work against me due to its thickness. Maybe could have done that a little better… I did cut out little flaps along the accordion as well as these tabs will help hold the decorative layers in place.
Folding and Taping the Box
With all the pieces scored and cut, it was then time to construct the paper shadow box. I decided to put together the outside first as I thought this would be the faster step. I started by taping the acrylic square against the frame of the paper. The square was set on the inside to hide the edges of the acrylic sheet as well as the tape that held it in place.
Then I placed tape along the small, long flap and connected this edge to the other end of the paper to create a box shape. To close the bottom, I started by folding in the back long flap, then both sides, and finally taping the front long flap so the bottom is taped together.
The top is a little easier since it is not going to be permanently closed. I added one side of the Velcro sticker to the back of the box and the other to the inside of the back flap. This allows the box to be opened and closed, although tape could be used once the layered image is inside if opening the box is undesired.
The Layered Image
And then it’s time to make the layered image. I was both excited and dreading this process because it seems so simple yet finicky at the same time. For this step, starting at the back and moving forward is recommended.
I wanted to make a hex board the back images of my paper shadow box. This meant placing a black piece of paper with hexes cut out on top of a green square. I nestled the square into the final strip of the accordion, on each side, so that the paper went into a crease. This will help orient the accordion and bring the pieces together.
Then it’s time for the middle layers which all worked in a similar fashion. I popped out the tabs on the accordion for the corresponding layer and added some tape (glue also worked). Then I put the desired layer onto the tabs on each side to hold it in place. I found myself squishing the accordion several times because it was expanding too much.
The front layer has an extra addition of a black border because I felt it was a cleaner look. Giving the piece a definitive frame made it feel more cohesive. I placed the top square on the end of the accordion such that the accordion lay flat against the back and is hidden by the top layer.
Finally, it’s time to squish the accordion so that can fit, and fill up, the exterior box. And with that, the paper shadow box is complete!
Reflections
I really love the way that this paper shadow box turned out. The design on the layers worked better with each other than I anticipated, and the accordion did a great job of spacing out each panel. The colors are fun, but each layer is rather simple, and I think I could expand on that in future designs.
The best part of this project, for me, is the box. I love how it fully encases the design and makes the project fit into a nice little package. I am very curious about making a box for a standard size picture (4 by 6 inch) project. But that’s for next time.
Lessons
The Thickness of Paper
I have always known that paper comes in different thicknesses. You have the thin papers that is used from printing documents to the thick poster board which technically counts as paper. And then all the different thicknesses in between.
For the paper shadow box, I used paper with two different thicknesses. I wanted the box paper to be thick and the inside paper to be able to stand without flopping. The only real issue occurred when I used the box paper for the accordion. Thick paper is a little hard to fold especially when doing repeated folds over a small area. Just a good thing to keep in mind.
Quick Recipe
Paper Shadow Box
Equipment
- 1 Pair of Scissors
- 1 Ruler
- 1 Scoring Tool Stylus or A Pen Cap
Ingredients
- 6 8 x 11 Cardstock each in a different color (black, red, orange, yellow, green, and purple)
- 1 12 x 12 Cardstock blue
- 1 Sheet Acrylic panel
- 1 Velcro Sticker Set
- Double Sided Tape
Instructions
- Cut out the layers, accordion, and box according to the template (along the solid lines). Any area marked with an X should be removed.
- Score and fold along the dotted lines. ‘
The Box
- Tape the 4 by 4-inch acrylic panel to the inside of the box where there is a hole in the front.
- Connect the small flap on one side to the other side with tape to create a continuous box.
- Fold the flaps on the bottom of the box and tape shut. The flap attached to the front should be the last flap closed.
- Position the Velcro sticker on the top flap and the back of the box so that the box is able to close. Set aside.
The Layers
- Attach the 5th panel to the back of the accordion so that the panel is nestled into one of the folds. This should be done on the left and right side of the 5th panel.
- Attached the 4th panel to the tab closed to the fifth panel. The panel should be nestled into the fold that contains these tabs.
- Repeat the above step for the 3rd and 2nd panel moving a layer forward each time.
- Attach the 1st panel to the front of the accordion so that the accordion is fully behind the 1st panel.
- Squeeze together the accordion and place the layered image into the box.
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