Box 3D Secretary

Advanced difficulty design - requires 12x12 cutting capacity. 

Vintage-style lift-lid box with thick structure walls 

includes flip-up front panel, drawer, open top compartment. 

This unique gift box can hold stationery, pens, 

stamps, flat labels and more. 

Decorate with offset panel accent shapes. 

Prepared to include faux drawer label pull, 

brad & paper "washer" knob (shown with purchased 

metal findings and elements). 

Measures approx. 6.25" wide x 7.5" deep x 5" tall. 

Coordinates with "NOTES Spiral Booklet" design 

(to insert and store in back vertical compartment) 

and "Tag 3D Flowers Vine" as front lid decoration. 

The engineering tolerances and fit
of this box are based on using heavy card stock
for the construction. Materials selected may affect fit.

ASSEMBLY:  (May require up to eleven 12x12 sheets)
1. Identify and cut the shapes:
(NOTE that some of the shapes were changed and
will appear slightly modified in the final cut file, noted with *)
A main base shape (slots to accept side, back, int. walls)
B under-base cover (hides construction tabs)
C* & D* left and right side walls
E back wall

F interior wall

G* drawer platform

H drawer box      I drawer front (4)

J front lower lid (4)    K front upper lid (4)

L upper wedge cross bar

M lower wedge cross bar (not shown; shorter)

N* front under lid build up (4)

Accent shapes:

O front lower lid   P front upper lid

Q drawer front   R & S side walls

T back wall    U* compartment rim trim

V hinges: base, top & bottom, accents (2 sets)

W drawer pull assembly and label

X knob stack circles (10)

2. Prepare the main hull shapes by bending

back on all perforation and tab lines.

Back wall shown here: also bend inner 

wall tabs forward.

Side Wall shown here: also bend inner wall
tabs forward. The side wall shape has been changed . . .

. . . by separating the top rim and its tab flanges

from the main side wall section (to provide

a larger and more secure attachment at the angle).

Here is an illustration showing the two shapes, left,

and the final location of the add-on shape.

A. Bend the add-on shape's long (outer)

and short (inner) flange tabs back.

B. Position the shorter (bottom) flange under

the corresponding edge (shown by arrow),

overlapping the side panel straight edge

to line up at the perforation line as accurately

as possible, and glue in place.

3. Position and attach the accent panel shapes

onto the main hull shapes

(dry, tape style adhesive recommended;

if using liquid, shapes will need to be

flattened with weight while they dry):

Back Wall shown here.

Side Wall shown here.

4. Prepare the Interior Wall by bending back

on all perforation lines, including side edge

flange tabs, top rim triangle tab, bottom flange tab,

and bottom/side tabs.

5. Bend the wall "box" into shape, bending the two

large wall panels back and away from the rim edge,

side wall strips back while tucking the long side

flange tabs under . . . 

. . . squaring up the corners, 
and gluing the rim triangle tab
and side tab flanges in position along 
the edge/perf lines of the tabs. 

***BE SURE to square up the wall during

the gluing process****

NOTE that when gluing the sides of the interior
wall shape in place, it will help to insert a flat
narrow tool such as this rigid plexiglas ruler 
into the interior to provide a "press against" surface. 

6. Bend the bottom flange inward

at square angle.

7. Form the Side Wall unit(s) by bending back the inner

and outer walls from the rim.

Tuck the top rim (add-on) flange tab behind the outer

wall edge, align straight edge at tab perf line,

and glue in place.

Use the ruler or other tool to help during

the gluing of this seam.

8. In similar manner, tuck in the lower front

wall rim tab and glue in place.

***BE SURE to square up the wall during

the gluing process****

HULL ASSEMBLY: SIDE & INTERIOR WALLS
9. Attach the Interior wall to the left and right side wall
units by inserting tabs into corresponding slots.
On the inside of the Side Walls, bend the tabs back
and glue in place.

10. Apply glue to the narrow side panel of

the Interior Wall unit, then bend into final,

right angle position, and hold in place until

the attachment between Interior and Side Wall

is secure.

11. Bend outer tab flanges back and out
of the way.
Position the Side/Int Walls unit over the Base
shape and insert the Int Wall bottom tabs
into corresponding slots.
Bend tabs forward and glue in place.

12. Slide Side Wall bottom tabs into

corresponding slots in Base shape . . . 

. . . then bend inward and glue in place.

13. Position Back Wall unit at rear of Side/Int Wall

unit, then insert bottom tabs into corresponding

slots in Base shape. At the same time,

insert Side Wall back tabs through

Back Wall corresponding slots.

Be sure to work tabs through fully,

then bend inward.

NOTE that there is a "miter" edge overlap

at the top back corners where the Side Walls

angle edge of rim overlaps the straight edge

rim of the Back Wall.

These must be arranged carefully or the

back tabs will not fit correctly into slots.

Glue tabs from previous image frames in place.

14. Bend the Side Wall bottom flange tab around
the Base . . . 

. . . tucking the front rim bottom tab under

the Base shape, square up, and glue tab and 

 flange tabs in place.

Apply inward pressure to make sure that 

the tab's angle remains flush with Base edge

all along, until adhesive locks in.

15. Bend the back panel down into position 

to wrap and attach the bottom flange tab around Base,

while attaching the Wall to side tabs in

the same operation.

16. Position and attach the bottom cover

to conceal the construction tabs of the bottom Base.

DRAWER ASSEMBLY

17. Prepare the drawer box shape by bending back

on all panel and tab perforation lines.

18. Bend the front, back and side panels back

to form tray, as the straight side edge is

overlapped over the corresponding tab to

perforation line, and glued in place.

Repeat for all 4 corner seams.

19. Bend back the side rim tabs to the inside
of the drawer box and glue in place.
Bend back the front and back rim tabs
and glue in place.

20. Layer the drawer front multiple shapes

(one by one), and glue in place, lining up

all cut sides and punch holes as precisely

as possible (here and throughout).

When using liquid glue, use a flat weight

of some kind placed onto the drying stack

to prevent warping and curling.

NOTE that there is an arrow cut shape

that points to the top of the drawer front.

21. Prepare the drawer front accent shape

by applying adhesive (dry tape-style shown here

and recommended) to the backside. Then . . .

. . . position and attach to the drawer box front,

aligning top and bottom straight edges of both

and punch holes.

22. If NOT using metal drawer pull, prepare

the card stock shapes shown here:

bracket backing (top), full pull shape (middle),

pull tab reinforcement (bottom),

by . . . 

. . . bending forward on the

full shape perforation lines . . .

. . . also fold back on perf line of the pull portion.

23. Position and attach the pull shape under

the whole pull shape, matching edges

that correspond, and lining up the perforation lines.

24. Position and attach the bracket shape on
the backside of the previous assembly.

OR, use the metal "Label Pull"

from Tim Holtz, or other brand.

25. Position drawer pull, matching

the pull side holes and the drawer front

hole punches, and attach with brads

through all layers.

Insert the label behind window, if desired.

26. Prepare the drawer platform shape
by bending back on front tab flange,
side and back panels.

27. Apply glue to backsides of side and back walls, 
then insert the platform inside the front compartment
of the hull assembly, pushing into place
until side wall bottom edges rest against Base.

To help the platform walls fit into place

against hull walls, insert the drawer under

the platform. Also remove drawer and apply pressure

as needed to connect walls completely.

WEDGE SIDE-TO-SIDE SUPPORTS

28. Prepare the upper and lower wedge bars

by bending back on all panel and tab perf lines.

(NOTE: both wedges have similar shapes

and construction.)

29. Bend the side triangle panel back,

and the bottom panel back so that

straight edge overlaps corresponding

tab perforation, and glue in place.

Repeat for opposite end.

30. Bend the end tab flange back, and
side triangle tabs back, apply glue,
then tuck these tabs under corresponding
edges to form a closed box.
NOTE: this is a snug fit.

31. With drawer in place, position and attach

the narrower wedge between side walls

and on top at the edge of the drawer platform

(remove drawer to help attach to platform) . . .

. . . placing the "bottom" face on the platform,
and lining up the angle of the "top" face
with the Side Wall angle.

32. Position the upper wedge form
next to Interior Wall, with angled edges
even with Side Wall angle,
and glue back and sides in place.

LID ASSEMBLY

33. Layer and attach the Lower Front 

Lid (4) . . .

. . . and Upper Front Lid shapes, one by one, taking care 
to align edges and punch holes.

Use weights to keep flat during drying process.

 34. Layer and attach Under Lid reinforcement
shapes similar to Lower Front Lid shapes.

35. Position the Under Lid stack on the backside
 of the Lower Lid, aligning upper punch holes,
and keeping side and lower straight edges
parallel to Lid edges, and attach in place.

36. Position and attach the accent shapes

to the Upper and Lower Front Lid assemblies.

37. Prepare the card stock hinges (2) using
the shapes shown here: (l to r) whole base,
upper and lower half reinforcements,
accent shapes.
Bend the whole shape upward in the center.

NOTE: the pointed part of the hinge is UP.
Position and attach the similar half top or 
bottom over the face side of the whole 
hinge shape, lining up edges and cutouts.
Position and attach the accents on top.

38. Position the hinge over the Lid Upper 
and Lower Front shapes glue in place, then attach 
with small size brads through all holes.

OR, use metal hinges by Tim Holtz or other

supplier.

39. Prepare the knob stack by layering
and attaching the circles (10), one by one,
taking care to align cut edges and punch holes.
Use a contrast top circle, if desired. 

40. Use a regular (large) size brad plus glue
to position and attach the knob at the Lower
Front hole punch.

OR, use the metal knob by Tim Holtz or

other supplier.

41.  Position the Lid assembly over the front

of the hull with the top edge of the Upper

Lid shape flush and even with the rim edge.

(Bottom edge should be even with

the drawer platform, or even a bit beyond.)

Attach the backside face of the Upper Lid

that touch the hull assembly surfaces ONLY,

using strong adhesive, such as Fabri-Tack

or hot melt glue.

FINISHING

42. Add the rim accent strips, beginning

with the end straight cut strips, centered

side to side and top to bottom,

on the rim faces,

then position the long strips in similar

fashion (miter cut ends will give

the appearance of miter cut trim).

Here is the completed secretary box . . . 

. . . with working hinge lid and drawer.

Complete the box by adding embellishments

on the box, including the flower tag,

and accessorize with the Notes spiral booklet.