Handle Carton with Shamrock Disc

 Classic Chinese food carry-out box 

(approx. 3” tall without handle) makes 

a perfect choice for not-too-heavy holiday treats. 

Easy assembly with overlapped side flaps, 

with choice of slot or circle handle openings where 

stacked-for-thickness handle ends can be inserted. 

(Two hull styles included: slot opening hull will keep 

handle upright; circle opening will allow handle 

to pivot down and up.) 

Two shamrock disc decoration options included: 

hang-hole style can tie onto handle; 

slightly smaller version without hand holes is sized 

to attach to front. 

Requires 12x12 cutting capacity and cardstock sheet.

ASSEMBLY: 1.Identify and cut the shapes:

A box hull   

B handle shapes (6-7 for thickened

strength as determined by slot test, Step 2)

C test slot and 6-7 strips to test layering quantity

D handle end "lock discs"

2. Layer the test strips into a stack, then . . .

. . . insert into the slot to see how many thicknesses

of the selected stock for handle will fit into the slot.

Use that quantity determination to as target cut

quantity for handle shapes.

3. Prepare the hull shape by bending back on

all perforation lines.

4. Shape and assemble the box by bending

front upward into position so that side flap overlaps

adjacent side panel, and handle holes align.

Glue flap in place.

5. Repeat for the adjacent side flap of back panel,

swinging into position so that the punch holes

align again, then glue in place.

NOTE that fingertip pressure can be applied

best if the assembly is placed with the side

panel face down on work surface and fingertips

inserted into the interior of box as shown.

6. Reverse the assembly and repeat steps 4-5

for the opposite ends flaps and side panel.

7. Stack and attach the handles, one by one,

taking care to align cut edges as precisely as possible.

Use a heavy flat object placed on top of the handles

(which are on a flat surface) to press the handles

until completely dried, which may require several

hours or overnight. Pressing helps prevent or reduce

warping or curling when using liquid adhesive.

Use a thick book, wood plank, or similar item to press.

8. To attach the handle, insert the first end into

the side hole (top flaps will need to be bent

down out of the way). Then . . .

. . . flex the handle as slightly as possible to swing

free end into position and insert . . .

. . .  into opposite hole.

NOTE that with using the box hull with slot holes

instead of round insertion holes, the handle will

remain upright permanently; lock discs can be

attached to inside hull wall as well as tabs

attaching to handle ends.

9. Prepare the handle lock disc by bending the tabs

forward, then applying glue to the TABS only

(for round hole where handle can pivot).

Slide the disc over the handle end . . .

. . . push the disc back so that it touches wall

inside surface (maintain centered handle position

where equal space is between hull and handle on

each side) then press and attach disc tabs to handle.

If tabs attach only to the handle, the handle will

be able to pivot as shown here.

10. To close the box, fold slot top flap inward,

following by hook flap. Flex hook slightly then

slide it into the slot and move slightly side to side

so that hook will catch.

11. Layer the shamrock disc, with each smaller disc

centered inside the next size, with punched hang

holes aligned, and glue each in place.

12. Thread twine end through front hole,

around handle, then back-to-front through

second hang hole, then tie knot and bow.

Here is the completed treat box with medallion.