The Coffin Box
First and foremost, thank you very much for buying a print, wanting to make this coffin, and visiting my weird corner of the interwebs. It truly means a lot! If you stumbled here accidentally and don’t have the template, you can download it here: Coffin Template
Instructions first, answers to “Maeghi, why are you like this” afterward.
before you begin
INGREDIENTS
THINGS YOU WILL DEFINITELY NEED
Sturdy Scissors or a small razorblade (This stuff is rigid and somewhat difficult to cut, so I prefer a razorblade)
Glue (I really like this RapidFuse glue by DAP, but a gluestick works too, you’ll just have to wait a bit longer)
THINGS THAT WILL MASSIVELY HELP
Binder clips (especially if using a gluestick), to hold things down while the glue is drying
Straight-edge/ruler, to stabilize the razorblade (if you’re using it) and also to help fold
Bone folder (the oddly shaped white thing) to score the dotted lines, help you fold them, and also burnish them down to make crisp edges. You could use the back of a razor or closed scissors for this.
IMPORTANT notes
SOLID DARK LINES Cut on these lines, even when they go inside the shape.
DOTTED GREY LINES Score these lines, these are what you’ll fold.
OBLIGATORY WARNING Scissors/razors are sharp and will cut you if mishandled. Glues can cause all sorts of problems, including gluing you to yourself and others. PLEASE be careful.
instructions
step 1 - cut the solid lines
Cut out both shapes along the solid lines.
If you’re using a razorblade and ruler, place the edge of the ruler onto the line, and run your razorblade against the edge of the ruler slowly and with even, firm pressure. I aimed for the middle of the line, but this project is fairly forgiving as long as you’re somewhere on the line.
Once everything is cut, it should look something like this.
Actually, it should look exactly like to this.
STEP 2 - score the dotted lines (optional)
This step is optional, but will help the paperboard fold cleanly. Much like in step 1, line the ruler up onto the dotted line and press very firmly with the the pointed tip of the bone folder/closed scissors/back of the razor. You shouldn’t be cutting these lines, just making an indentation.
It’s somewhat difficult to see here, but there’s grooves on the dotted lines.
STEP 3 - folding and burnishing
Rotate the cutout so that the longest dotted line is parallel to your body and fold the outermost edge in toward the center. It’s easiest to position the ruler on the line and use it as a guide as you’re folding upward.
Continue folding the paperboard all the way onto itself, and use the bone folder/some other smooth, hard object to press down on the fold, creating a crease.
Lift the folded part and repeat on the inner line.
Rotate the cutout so the next unfolded line is parallel to your body and continue folding/creasing inward until everything is folded and creased on both cutouts.
Once everything is folded, you’ll see that the paperboard has wanted to be a coffin all along.
STEP 4 - gluing the base
The ends:
Fold the two longest inner edges up, so that the two edge tabs meet. Add a dab of glue onto the sides of the tabs that are now facing away from the rest of the coffin.
Fold the ‘foot’ of the coffin up, pressing the tabs into it. add glue onto the topmost part of the ‘foot’ and fold it inward, covering the two tabs. Repeat this process for the ‘head’ of the coffin.
the short sidewalls:
Before adding any glue, ensure that the edges of the two triangular tabs (attached to the longer sidewall of the coffin) are pointing towards each other, and are inside the coffin. Add glue to the side of the tab facing the ‘head’ of the coffin and press into the adjacent shorter sidewall.
Fold the top piece of the short wall over the tab and onto itself. Repeat for the other shorter sidewall
THE LONG SIDEwalls
There aren’t any tabs to deal with here, so simply add glue to the top piece and fold over onto itself. Repeat on the other side.
Voila! Lidless coffin box.
STEP 4 - gluing the LID
The lid is assembled in exactly the same way as the base, but it’s a little trickier because the tabs and walls are teeny tiny. This is where small binder clips or clothespins are a massive help.
Side note, have you ever seen a binder clip this small?? Adorable.
step 5 - accomplishment
Once all the glue is dry, remove the binder clips and voila! A relatively sturdy and moderately spoopy coffin-shaped box. I want to decorate it but have too many ideas that I can’t decide between. I’ll make sure to update this post with pics once I decide.
Tag me in your posts (find my @s here) and I’ll compile them all into an inspo gallery like the one below
But why though?
I don’t have a good answer, so I’ll just summarize the thought processes that led me here:
I despise the thought of generating landfill waste, so I use biodegradable or recyclable materials for all of my packaging. Literally all of it. Even box tape.
At the same time, I don’t like the thought of being wasteful at all, so I minimize the packaging I do use while accepting the challenge of keeping everything on-brand (having a particular aesthetic and meeting an unreasonably high visual standard. I’m likely the only one who thinks it’s cool, but you’re reading this, soooo…?)
Upcycling or finding new uses for others’ trash is how I started crafting, so it’s like I’m giving a little piece of me to y’all (aww).
I am of the “Halloween is Everyday” mindset, so a coffin just fits. Is it a bit macabre? Sure, but so is capitalism in general if you think about it long enough.
Why not?