Garden Crate Box

Replicate a wooden crate composed of LID 
that slides over BASE. LID’s top edges wrap inward, 

with revealed “planking” top panel. 

LID’s side walls have edge and cross wall detail 

while BASE has stumpy feet with folded inward flanges 

to hold floor panel. (Optional floor panel can include 

a square strip support if box needs to hold heavier contents.) 

Imitation “stamped” label tag expresses “CRATE-ful”. 

Offset accent liner panels provides interest inside. 

Specially sized (approx. 5.125” x 5.125” x 3.5” tall) 

to be container for “Card Garden 3D Hat Easel”. 

Other round tag designs (“Garden Fresh” or 

“Grow In A Garden”) are especially suited in size 

for further decoration. 

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes:

A base (bottom) walls (2)

B base platform (2)

(NOT SHOWN: optional bottom outer layer

and support strip for a gift box that will hold

contents that will need support)

C optional interior accent for base floor

(NOT SHOWN: interior side wall accents -

2 each of 2 styles)

D LID side wall sections (2)

E side wall plank underlay accents (4)

F-G side wall cross beam accents (build up; 2-3 for

each of 4 walls)

H lid top "roof" solid panel

I "roof" plank underlay accent

J top rim edge accent strips (4)

K label: base, stencil cut layer; top frame; "-ful"

(NOTE: It may be helpful to skip forward to Step 12

to complete the layering of E-G side panel and

H-I top panel so that they can be in the drying process

as other assembly proceeds.)

2. Prepare BASE wall sections by bending back

on all perf lines for panels, center ledge flanges,

leg bottoms; bending forward on leg end ledge flanges.

3. Position and join the two base wall sections

by overlapping straight edge over side tab(s).

NOTE that a notch in the side flange should line up

with the adjacent position where leg ledge tab

will need to be bent up to perpendicular; take care

to align accurately.

4. On backside, apply adhesive onto the segment behind

each leg, then . . . 

. . . bend the leg reinforcements back and glue each

to the backside of the wall section.

Take care that the leg ledge tabs remain unattached.

5. Bend the center ledges into perpendicular position,

bend leg ledges to match, then . . . 

. . . apply glue to the small area where the ledge

flanges overlap (each end of center flange)

and press to join. Repeat for all 4 wall segments.

6. Form the walls section into a square to position

and join the final side seam.

7. On the inside, bend the ledges back into

perpendicular.

8. Identify the base solid panel and its reinforcement

layer, and glue together. 

Position and attach the interior accent, offset

within outer edges. (Press under a flat heavy weight

until fully dry if using liquid adhesive, to avoid warping

or curling.) 

ALTERNATIVE BOTTOM WITH SUPPORT

Use the alternative base floor panel as bottom-most layer

when the box will contain heavier contents,

with support strip.

Bend the strip at segment perforations,

for square, join side seam.

Position and insert bottom tabs into slots,

push through completely, then . . . 

. . . on backside, bend tabs outward and glue to

backside of panel securely.

Position support strip layered with 'B' regular panel,

that has interior accent panel already attached,

and attach securely all around support area.

9. Apply adhesive to the inner surfaces of ledge flanges

then insert the floor panel into interior of walls

assembly, adjust into position, then . . . 

. . . apply fingertip pressure around edges to 

fully join floor panel in place.

(NOT SHOWN: also position and attach 

each interior wall accent on the inside 

of correspondingly-shaped wall.)

NOTE it will be helpful to invert the assembly

and view flanges while applying pressure.

10. Prepare the LID wall sections by bending back

 on all perforation lines.

11. Position, align and join first side seam.

12. Layer, align and glue together the accent 4 overlay

assemblies for each wall section, taking care to align

outer and inner cut edges as precisely as possible.

ALSO layer LID top panel with plank overlay.

NOTE: the model project includes 2 layers of side

overlays topped off with a contrast textured shape.

Each cross beam assembly thus includes 3 layers.

13. Position the cross beam stack on top of

the plank bottom accent layer for each of 4 units,

and glue together where surfaces overlap.

Press each stack assembly immediately under a heavy flat

weight for several hours until fully dried, to avoid

warping and curling.

14. Position and attach each stacked unit from Step 13

over corresponding area of the LID side walls,

with bottom straight edges aligned, side and top edges

aligned at perforation lines.

Press under a series of flat weights to ensure

the assembly remains flat during glue drying.

15. Form the walls unit into a square to align

and join the final side seam.

Reconfigure the walls unit to flat form to apply

fingertip pressure along side seam.

16. Prepare the first pair of rim areas (straighter

ends pair) by 'curling' the segments inward to form

a tube.

Un-roll to apply adhesive to the inmost 'flange'

surface, then . . . 

. . . re-curl into position, and apply pressure on inside

and outside of the rim until fully attached.

NOTE: keep the topmost rim surface perpendicular

to adjacent wall during gluing process for best result.

Repeat for second of the squared-end pair of rims.

17. Repeat the rim curling and positioning process

with the remaining pair of rims, which will involve

flexing the ends slightly to assist the miters to

fit within the already-in-position rims.

On the inside, apply glue to outer top-most flange,

then continue to curl the rim into position and

apply pressure to join in place. Repeat for final rim.

18. Position and attach the rim accent strips.

19. Apply adhesive to the inner rim surface "frame"

of flanges, then insert the LID panel stack. Apply

pressure (from inside) to ensure that all edges of

panel attach securely to underside of rim frame.

20. Prepare the optional "label" accent by . . . 

. . . layering the whole bottom panel, 'CRATE'

stencil cutout panel, and top edge frame, and

attaching all where they overlap. Position and

attach the '-ful' word cutout over the top as shown.

21. As desired, position and attach the label tag

onto the top of crate, or on one side.

22. Close the box by fitting the LID over the base

(this is a snug fit), and sliding down fully into position.

Here is the completed, closed crate box.

The crate is specifically designed and sized to hold

the Gardener Hat Easel card.