Turning an Ebook into a Crafty Gift, part 5: a Thumb Drive Box

Today, we wrap up our series on ebook gifting with a cool little box presentation. You can buy someone an ebook, put it on a thumb drive, and then tuck it into this little book-looking box as a stocking stuffer. This is a nice presentation for ebooks with a hefty page count, and ebooks with printable worksheets, like my Creating a Blog Audience.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Thumb drive with an ebook file on it
• This downloadable print-and-fold template
• Scissors (or a craft knife and ruler)
• Bone folder
• Reduced-size print-out of the cover (more on this below)
• Glue stick
• Scrap of decorative paper
• Adhesive-backed Velcro dots

First, print out this pattern and cut it out. The whole key to success with this project lies in how precisely you cut along the outline. So it’s a good idea to cut into each corner from both sides, as shown here – not around the corner.

Now, take a ruler and bone folder and score all of the fold lines that pass over the shape. (Again, careful precision makes a huge difference in your finished box.)

On the edges where the “pages” are printed, just score the topmost and bottom-most lines. Also, see the little tab on the right? Cut all four little tabs out this way, and score them on their fold lines. (Those fold lines may be a little hard to see because the “page” lines run over them.)

I should say up front here: it’s not like I went to paper engineering college or anything. I’m going to show you what I think is the easiest way to assemble this puppy. But if you’re more experienced than me at this stuff, well, knock yourself out. And then send me an email and tell me how you did it.

Okay, that said, make the first fold as shown here. There are three fold lines on the long side of the piece; fold the center one.

That first fold is the basis for the cover of our box. Flip the piece over and glue this fold closed with some glue stick. Then, fold up the score line that’s near the edge, as shown here.

(To be clear, though – not the fold line that’s closest to the edge. You want the one that’s just to the left of that one.)

Okay. Now give the whole thing a quarter turn, so it’s facing you with this orientation. Fold the two short sides up, and bend in the four tabs.

Put some glue on the two tabs that are closest to the cover piece we folded earlier.

Now, fold up the cover side, as shown here. (That “Ebooks are Awesome” becomes the spine of your book-box.)

Then, press those tabs to the inside to hold the sides up.

Bring the cover and spine up now, and let that fold line nearest its edge tuck into the bottom of the box, covering up those tabs.

Here’s how that looks on the outside.

We’re going to do something similar with the other long edge of the box now. Glue up those two remaining tabs.

Now, fold up the side, as shown here.

From here, it should look familiar: press those tabs to the inside to hold up the sides…

…And then fold that side piece over the tabs. Let the fold closest to the edge of that side nestle in the bottom of the box.

Do similar folds at the two short sides of the box.

Then, fold the cover and close the box! You can gently pinch the folds with your fingers to give them a sharper crease.

Print out your book cover at a reduced size (look at Wednesday’s ebook for details on that). I usually print an 8 1/2″ x 11″ cover at 25% to fit this box, but your cover may be different, so double-check it before you print.

The box pattern comes with a template you can trace onto your print-out. Then, cut it out and glue it to the cover of the box.

The same template, by the way, can be used to cut some scrapbook paper into a bottom liner. Glue this into your box to cover up all those folds and edges.

I’m using a Velcro dot (one with adhesive on it) to affix my thumb drive. It won’t hurt the thumb drive any, and it’ll keep it from rattling around in the box.

et Voila!

About the Ebook:

Creating a Blog Audience is designed specifically for crafters who want more blog readers. It takes you through a process ot evaluating your blog, and offers concrete ways to build your community online. Read more and get your copy over here.






This presentation would also be great for:

Making a Great Blog is my best-selling ebook. If you’re just starting out blogging, or you’re not happy with where your blog is now, this ebook takes you through questions and worksheets that will help you make better posts, clean your blog up visually, and help it reach out into the community. Read more and get your copy over here.