Type the size of the box you need, pick a style and get a printable template drawn to scale: solid lines to cut, dashed lines to fold and shaded glue tabs. Download it as a PDF to print or an SVG for a cutting machine.
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Print at 100% / Actual size (turn off "Fit to page"). Check the 1 inch / 2 cm scale bar on the printout.
CutFoldGlue area
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How to use the Gift Box Template Maker
Pick a box style: tuck end, box with lid or pillow box.
Enter the size you want and choose inches, cm or mm. For the lid box these are the inside sizes of the tray.
Choose your paper thickness and the sheet size you will print on; the preview shows whether it fits.
Download the PDF and print it at 100% or Actual size, then check the scale bar with a ruler.
Cut on the solid lines, score and fold the dashed lines, and glue the shaded tabs. Use the SVG for a cutting machine.
How the box templates are sized
For the tuck end box, length is the front and back panels, width is the two side panels and height is how tall the box stands. The net is four panels in a row plus a glue tab, so its flat width is 2 × length + 2 × width + glue tab. The lids are as deep as the box is wide, and the tuck flaps are about 60% of the width, capped so they still fit inside the box.
For the box with lid, the sizes you enter are the inside of the tray. The lid is enlarged by twice the paper thickness plus 1 mm so it slides on, and its depth defaults to about a third of the box height (at least 12 mm) unless you type your own. The pillow box is two curved faces and a glue tab; the end flaps are drawn as arcs whose depth is half the thickness you enter.
Example flat sizes
Box
Size (L × W × H)
Approx. flat template
Prints on
Tuck end, small favor
2 × 1.5 × 3 in
7.5 × 7.8 in
Letter or A4
Tuck end, soap bar
3.5 × 1.25 × 2.5 in
10 × 6.5 in
Letter (rotated)
Box with lid, tray only
4 × 3 × 2 in
8 × 7 in tray + 5.4 × 4.4 in lid
Two Letter sheets
Box with lid, jewelry
8 × 8 × 3 cm
14 × 14 cm tray + lid
Both on one A4 sheet
Pillow box
4 × 2.5 × 0.75 in
5.5 × 4.75 in
Letter or A4
Tips for neat boxes
Score before folding. Run a bone folder, an empty ballpoint pen or the back of a butter knife along a ruler on every dashed line.
Cut with a craft knife on a cutting mat for straight edges, and use scissors only for the curves of tuck flaps and pillow ends.
Decorate first. Stamp, draw or print on the sheet before cutting; the outside of the box is the printed side.
Use a glue stick or double-sided tape on the shaded tabs and hold each joint for a few seconds. Liquid glue can warp thin card.
Check the finished size against the item with the Printable Ruler before cutting a whole batch.
Frequently asked questions
What size paper do I need for my box?
The template's flat size is shown next to the preview. A tuck end box needs roughly 2 × (length + width) plus the glue tab across, and the height plus about 2.6 × the width down. If it is too big for Letter or A4, choose Tabloid or A3, make the box smaller, or download the SVG and print it at a copy shop.
What is the difference between reverse tuck and straight tuck?
On a reverse tuck end box the top lid hinges from the back panel and the bottom lid from the front, so the tucks close in opposite directions. On a straight tuck end box both lids hinge from the back. Reverse tuck uses paper a little more efficiently; straight tuck gives a clean front panel at both ends.
Why is the lid slightly bigger than the box?
A lid that is exactly the same size as the base will not slide over it, because each wall of paper takes up space. The lid is made larger by twice the paper thickness plus 1 mm of clearance in both length and width, so it fits snugly over the tray.
How do I print the template at the right size?
In the print dialog choose 100%, Actual size or Scale 100 and turn off Fit to page or Shrink to fit. Then measure the scale bar printed at the top of each page: it should be exactly 1 inch or 2 cm long. If it is not, the printer is still scaling the page.
Can I use the SVG with a Cricut or Silhouette?
Yes. The SVG is drawn in millimeters at true size, with cut lines in black and fold lines as blue dashed lines. After uploading, change the fold lines to Score or Draw in your machine's software so they are creased rather than cut.
What paper works best for gift boxes?
Cardstock between about 65 lb and 110 lb (roughly 175 to 300 gsm) is a good choice for small boxes because it folds cleanly and holds its shape. Larger boxes benefit from heavier card or chipboard. Score the fold lines with a bone folder or an empty pen along a ruler before folding for crisp edges.
How thick does the pillow box get?
A pillow box gets its depth from the curved end flaps. The thickness you enter sets how far the curves bow, and the finished box is about that thick at its center when the ends are folded closed. It is an approximation because it depends on the paper and how firmly you press the ends.
Are all the tools on FreeToolCabin tested for quality and accuracy?
Yes! Every tool on our site undergoes automated Q/A testing in real browser environments to ensure high precision, correct output, and zero errors. If you happen to spot a bug or have a suggestion, please contact us at [email protected] and our team will review it right away.