Crab 3D Oval Box

Multiple shapes are layered to assemble 

the playful, be-spectacled crustacean that decorates top 

of unique oval-shaped gift box. 

Lid fits over base to enclose a platform gift card holder 

(to hold standard plastic 2.125” x 3.375” gift card). 

Measures approx. 5.35” wide x 4.1” long x 1.25” deep.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes for the oval box:
A LID main panel   B Lid contrast offset overlay
C Lid boxing (side wall) strips (2)
D gift card platform with stand tabs
E gift card platform opening underlay
F BASE main panel
G Base boxing strips (2)
H upper platform interlocking strips
I lower platform interlock strips

Also identify and cut the shapes for the crab decoration:

J main crab silhouette (shows thru as legs)

K & Ls contrast show-thru for body speckles

M leg tips     N offset crab silhouette

O eye insert 'whites'    P body    Q cheek circles

R eye pupils   S claw overlays   T spectacles

U hat base   V hat rim band    W front brim with anchor

X hat crown base with top button

Y hat crown center

3. Assemble the crab lid decoration:

A) attach tips to leg ends
B) layer brim front over 'band' contrast, and
center, attach anchor
C) layer crown center onto main crown shape,
then add tiny button at top

D) layer brim assembly onto lower edges of main hat shape,
then add crown assembly above.
E) position and attach crab body assembly onto offset silhouette
F) add contrast inlays at lower body edge, claws
G) add eye 'white' circles, mouth

H) position and attach . . .

. . . main crab body over silhouette assembly,
with claws where they match up

I) position and attach cheek circles, eye pupils

J) add hat assembly and spectacles

4. Once the crab shapes have been glued together,
it is a good practice to press flat under a heavy flat weight
until thoroughly dry, to prevent warping or curling.
This may require a couple of hours to ensure thorough drying.

5. Prepare the BASE boxing strips by bending back

at each vertical segment perforation and also bending

bottom tabs back.

6. Position the first long segment at the corresponding
long edge of the main BASE panel, then overlap the panel's
straight edge over boxing tab to perforation line,
adjust for side to side alignment, then glue in place.

7. Bend the boxing to align the next segment tab
along the panel straight edge and glue in place.

8. Continue in the same manner to bend, align and

glue each segment's tab along the corresponding straight

edge of the panel.

As the assembly progresses, invert the base on a flat surface

and apply fingertip pressure along the tabs from the inside

to help them attach completely.

9. Position and attach the straight end of the second

boxing strip over the end tab of the first strip, then

continue to position and attach the second strip's

segment tabs all around.

When the final tab is being glued, at the same time

position and attach the first straight side edge

over the corresponding side tab in one operation.

10. Prepare the LID boxing strips by bending back

on vertical perforations and top tabs as was done

for BASE, also bend the rim tabs back.

11. Skip the long segment rim tab, then bend back and

glue in place the remaining rim tabs for both strips.

12. Position and attach the LID boxing strips just like

the BASE strips were positioned and attached in Steps 6-9.

13. When both boxing strips are in place, bend the long
segment tabs down and glue in place . . .

. . . positioning the lid so that the area is flat and

fingertip pressure can be applied along the tab

until thoroughly attached.

14. Position and attach the contrast lid panel

(dry adhesive recommended if possible, to avoid

warping and curling since no flat weight can be applied).

15. Position and attach the crab decoration,

centered on the lid top panel.

16. To assist the base box to maintain its oval shape,

support 'struts' and reinforcement for the gift card panel

can be assembled and added.

Identify the upper strip set, which have a circle 'bite'

out of the end tab edge, as indicated here by pointing finger.

Here you can also differentiate upper and lower short

strips (as well as long strips) by the slots: the upper strips

will have slots that extend UP, and the lower strips

will have slots that hang DOWN.

17. Bend back on all vertical perforations and end tabs, 
and forward on bottom tabs.
Work with the long and short strips that correspond . . .

. . . then position the short strip straight end over

the tab at end of long strip and join first side seam.

Next, form the strips into a trapezoid

to bring the opposite two ends together and join

the second side seam.

Repeat for both the upper and the lower strips sets.

18. Position the upper strip trapezoid over the lower
trapezoid, with narrow ends on the outsides as shown,
and line up the slots so that . . .

. . . the shapes can interlock, then work the two strips

together until top and bottom edges are flush across.

19. Apply adhesive to the end tabs that extend from

points, and to the bottom tabs along the strips, and . . .

. . . to the short side end walls, then . . .

. . . insert it into the BASE and . . .

. . . quickly work it down flat against base floor.

Apply pressure to attach end walls together,

as well as attach point tabs and bottom tabs along strips

to the walls or base where they touch.

20. Prepare the card platform by bending back the stand

tabs.

Also position and attach the gift card recess opening
'liner' shape behind the window cutout.
Be sure to leave the tabs extending into the opening
unattached.

21. Apply adhesive to the stand tabs, then . . .

. . . slide the platform into the base, allowing stand tabs
to fit around platform strips. Push platform down fully
so that the panel rests on top of the supports.

22. Gift card can be inserted under the tabs to fit

in the recess.

Then position and fit the lid over the base

(this should be a snug fit).

Here is the completed gift box.