How to Make a Pop-Up Box Card | A Cricut Project

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Looking for a cute and impressive-looking papercraft? Here’s how to make a pop-up box card.

I must admit that I have kind of forgotten the art of giving cards. Nowadays it just seems so much easier to send an email, post a gif or even give a phone call. But nothing really does replace the gift of a handmade card.

I’ve been wanting to up my game when it comes to card making. I reviewed the Paper Pumpkin Box Subscription which is really handy in that all the elements are included for you to make a card. You just need to assemble. Read my review and experience here.

Here’s a spin on the handmade card. These pop-up box cards are amazing. They’re like little pieces of art. They fold flat so they are easy to mail – though they are not a “standard” size. These are great to give for any occasion.

What is a Pop-Up Box Card?

Now I must admit that the name is somewhat deceiving. The inside parts don’t actually pop up, meaning there is no actual movement that happens with this card. The inside parts are already up but are hidden when the card is flat.

This card unfolds so that it becomes a box and so it stands on its own and is three-dimensional.

Certainly, such a card stands out and is unique. They can be decorated for any event or occasion and can be personalized, all using your Cricut.

Supplies Needed to Make a Pop-Up Box Card

This is a great papercraft to do that is not as hard as it looks. Many of these items can be purchased from a variety of places, including online, craft stores like Michaels and even the dollar store.

The Pop-Up Card Box Template

When it comes to the pop-up card box, it’s all about the template. Once you have it, you can pretty much make anything.

When looking online, I found a number of paper templates that you could print out. There were also people that had fancy scoring tables. I wanted something for the Cricut and so I came up with a template.

Access the pop-up card box template in my Free Resource Library by subscribing to my blog. Once subscribed, you will receive an email from me. At the bottom of the email, you will find the password to access my Free Resource Library.

In the Resource Library, you will find 2 templates, based on the size of cardstock that you are using – 8.5×11 or 12×12. Be sure to click on the right size that you need. It will open up the template already created in Cricut Design Space.

Here is what the template looks like. Your Cricut will cut out all around and score all the dashed lines.

Included with the template are 3 braces which you can add to the box in order to add your embellishments. I’ve included 3, but you can use just one or two if you prefer. If you want more, simply cut more.

If you are wanting to make a particular size, feel free to resize this template to your needs.

Make the Pop-Up Card Box

Have your Cricut machine score and cut the template. Use the cut setting that matches the material that you are using.

The Cricut will score first and then it will stop and ask you to put in the cutting blade.

Once the Cricut has done its thing, remove it from your cutting mat. You will still need to make three more cuts which the Cricut has not done.

Using scissors, cut the three lines indicated below. You will notice that I had the Cricut score those lines as well, making it easier to see and cut. If it’s hard to see, gently fold along the score lines to help you see the line. Only cut to the mid-point – not all the way through.

Determine which will be the outside of the box, as opposed to the inside. Press those crease lines again, but this time be more firm. You can use a credit card, scraper or bone folder to help you get a nice crisp edge.

You will notice that the back panel does not have a scoreline. That is because you want the back to stand straight up – you don’t want it to flop over.

If using single-sided paper, you may wish for the inside of the pop-up box card to be the plain side. Now is the time to add decorative paper to these areas. It’s much easier to do before it’s been glued together. You just need to adorn the top part as these are the flaps that will be bending down.

Next, you will apply craft glue to that little side flat. Attach it to the inside of the other edge so that it forms a box.

Flatten the box. While the glue sets, clip with some paper clips or sewing clips. Alternatively, you could just hold it for a couple of minutes.

I like it so that the side flat is on the inside.

Now it should be able to stand up like a box.

Prepare the bracket inserts next. Crease them so that the ends point away from the front. Again, you need to determine which is the front and which is the back.

Glue them into place – I find glue tape easy to use for this step. I like to start at the back and work my way forward. I like it right up against the back and put them all next to each other. Again, I like to clip it for a couple of minutes to set it.

You don’t have to use all 3. You can use fewer and space them out accordingly. After a couple of minutes, it should be set and you can unclip them.

Fold the box flat to double-check that everything is good.

Your pop-up box card is now done! Now all you have to do it decorate it.

This is the fun part. Anything goes now. The main focal point is the centre of the box. You potentially have 5 rows to attach items – the front and the back, as well as the 3 brackets.

To attach your adornments, simply glue them to any of the brackets or to each other.

Consider the layout before you begin gluing.

If you wish to add some height without affixing them to each other, you can attach your items to the end of a long stick piece cut from clear acetate or cardstock. Then you would glue that stick piece to the bracket.

In addition to the centre, you can decorate each of the flaps as well. There are 3 in total – 2 sides and 1 centre. I like to add a personalized message to the centre flap.

If you used double-sided card stock, you don’t have to decorate the flaps as they already look nice. I did add a little something to each flap.

You could even decorate the back. This works well if you have a long message that you want to include.

You could also put a cute decoration on the outside as well.

Look at these cards. I love how they turned out. I had so much fun making them.

When folded flat, the card made from 12×12 paper measures 5.5×6.5. The pop-up box card made from 8.5×11 paper measures 5×6. You may wish to take these measurements into consideration if you are wanting to mail them off and are looking for envelopes that fit.

These work for any occasion. Here’s a graduation pop-up box card I made for my son.

When in doubt, you could also make an envelope on your Cricut. Cricut Design Space has several envelope templates available. I test cut mine on regular printer paper first to ensure the correct cit.

Want to remember how to make a pop-up box card? Be sure to save this to your favourite Pinterest board.