Photo Display Blocks

Elevate table-top display photos with these slotted chunky bases
 for wedding, anniversary, special birthday or 

other celebration gatherings. 

Best for photos sized 4x6 or 5x7. 

(Can hold multiple prints one behind the other.) 

 Optional: add washer weights to 

interior bottom panel for better stability.

Dome measures approx. 4” long x 2” tall x 1.25” wide.

(Dome style is most difficult of the three styles.)

Pyramid measures approx. 4” long x 2” tall x 1.25” wide.

Plank measures approx. 3.75” long x 1.875” tall x 1.875” wide.

ASSEMBLY: 1. Identify and cut the shapes

for the selected style being built:

Trapezoid Plank Block:

A main hull with attached front, back & base

B slot liner

C front & back panel overlays (2)

Pyramid Block:

A main hull with base

B separate front, back panels (to attach to A)

C slot liner

D front, back panel overlays

Dome Block:

A main hull boxing   

B separate front, back panels (to attach to A)

C slot liner

D front, back panel overlays (2; NOTE that

this shape was exchanged for final project)

TRAPEZOID PLANK STYLE

(This style is perhaps the easiest to assembly, so it will

be explained first to assist explanation of the other two styles.)

2. Prepare the main hull shape by bending back on

all perforations for top, side, front & back, base panels

and tab/flanges.

Also prepare the slot insert by bending forward along

the two closely-spaced long perforation lines at center,

and back along perforations for tabs and flanges.

3. Begin by positioning one insert long flange behind

the hull's top panel so that the perforation line is

lined up exactly along the straight cut edge of opening.

(This image shows the left straight edge being positioned

along the left perforation line of liner, as indicated

by pointing finger.)

Adjust so that liner is centered along the straight slot

edge of TOP panel, then glue in place.

HINT: after the edges are initially joined securely enough,

invert the assembly face down on work surface and

apply fingertip pressure along the flange to help it

adhere completely and evenly.

4. Next, swing the opposite top liner flange into position

along the straight cut edge opposite the first that was

glued in place in step 3. Adjust, then glue in place

in similar manner.

5. Prepare to attach the angled end wall panels by

applying glue to the face surfaces of the upright tabs

and small slot end tab, then tip the end panel into

position . . .

. . . until the straight slot edges align accurately 

with liner tab perf lines. Apply glue to glue in place.

6. Bend the front then back panels down into place

to glue side edges to flanges from end walls.

Invert the assembly face down to apply pressure

along the tab and seam as each is glued.

7. If desired, consider acquiring large metal washers

as weight discs to quick-grab or hot melt glue in place

on the inside surface of the bottom panel.

8. Bend the base panel edge flanges at approx.

right angles, apply glue to these, then insert into

position at bottom of block assembly.

Adjust straight edges that overlap tabs so they align

as precisely as possible along flange perforation lines.

Use "finger access" openings to apply pressure along

each of the flange seams until secure.

9. Apply glue to underside edges and center of

front, back panel overlays, then positioning

edge to edge over corresponding front and back

panels, adjusting so edges align as closely as

possible.

This completes the plank block assembly:

PYRAMID STYLE

10. Prepare the pyramid boxing wall (sides, base)

by bending back along all perforation lines for

boxing segments, tabs and flanges.

Also prepare the slot insert as described for plank

box in step 2 above.

11. Position the slot insert behind the top portion

of the pyramid . . .

. . . so that the short segment of slot aligns

at the short tab perforation line at insert top.

Adjust then glue in place.

Invert the assembly to apply fingertip pressure

to secure the seam.

12. Repeat the positioning and attachment of

the opposite narrow top tab . . . 

. . . and top short slot 

segment.

13. Apply glue to the face surfaces of

slot insert end tabs. Bend side boxing panels down

into position so that slot straight edges align

with insert tab perforation lines. Adjust and glue

tabs and edges of both angles.

14. (Position and attach bottom panel weights

at this point, if desired.)

Finalize pyramid shaping by bringing the boxing

ends together to overlap the straight base end edge 

across the end tab to perforation line. 

Adjust and glue the seam.

15. Bend front and back boxing tabs at right angles

to walls, apply glue to tab or flange faces.

Position the hollow front (and later back) triangle walls

over the opening, adjust edges, then attach in place.

16. Position and attach front and back wall overlays.

That completes pyramid block assembly.

DOME STYLE

17. Prepare the DOME boxing wall (sides, base)

by bending back along STRAIGHT perforation lines for

boxing segments, tabs and flanges. (Leave tiny curve

edge tabs unbent until later in assembly.)

Also prepare the slot insert by bending forward at

closely-spaced perforation lines at center.

Also bend back each of the narrow curve edge tabs.

18. Add moderate curve along the slotted top boxing

panel using a rod tool such as this wooden dowel.

19. As seen from the underside here, the slot insert

will be positioned behind the slot top curved wall.

Position the insert so that curved upper edges begin

to correspond to the curved edge of dome boxing.

NOTE that tiny dash marks will show positioning

CENTER of each of the slot edge and insert edge.

Begin with first edge and tabs being attached to

align these dash marks, then adjust and glue

the multi-tabbed edge along slot edge.

NOTE: this may be a difficult seam to align,

but make best attempt to center insert along

slot edges so that end tabs align at slot ends.

20. Once first curved edges are in place, work on

second curved edge, applying glue to multi tabs,

then swinging/bending it up into position,

with center marks aligned as done previously.

21. Bend dome edge tabs back at right angles.

Apply glue to undersides of tabs, then position

hollowed front panel behind curved edge tabs,

align ends and centers, then use finger-access

openings to apply pressure along edge.

TAKE CARE that curved edge is pushed snugly into

place at mini tab perforations.

When seams are sufficiently secured in place,

invert the assembly face down to apply pressure

all along the curve edge to attach tiny tabs to edge.

22. Repeat for the second dome panel.

23. If desired, position and attach metal washers

in interior base panel. Bend base panel into position

to attach end to side wall tab.

Use finger access openings and spatula tool to

assist in attaching bottom seam.

24. Position and attach dome panel overlays.

This completes dome block assembly.