Printing on Boxes

moonpenny

As title, how do I put professional  looking printing on shop bought gift boxes?

I want to make a couple of "keepsake" type boxes for family members and thought it would be nice with their names etc printed on. Maybe metalic!

forgotmyname

Cardboard boxes or wooden ones?   Stencils and some paint for cardboard?  

If its wooden boxes and you do enough then have a look at some of the cheap laser engravers. Limited on laser power so

they can only do small items on certain materials. Cheap wooden boxes available for very little money from several

shops.  You can paint or stain/varnish them.

moonpenny

Thanks! forgotmyname.  It was cardboard boxes - the sort with magnetic fastening at the front.
Because I have never done anything like this before I never even thought of stencils.  What sort of paint would I need?

MalMonroe

moonpenny said:

Thanks! forgotmyname.  It was cardboard boxes - the sort with magnetic fastening at the front.
Because I have never done anything like this before I never even thought of stencils.  What sort of paint would I need?

Hi, I was interested in doing this too, so had a look at your question and I think forgotmyname's idea of stencils is a good one. I originally thought that any paint would be okay but apparently not. People seem to advise using 'gesso' as a primer - to be honest I've never heard of that before. . .  but here is one link - https://www.standingcloud.com/paints-you-can-use-on-cardboard/ 
and if you google there are other advice pages. I don't fancy the idea of spray paint though.

I guess you could also get some old cardboard from parcels to practise on before you do the proper boxes. It isn't quite as simple as I'd first thought, I have to say. I'm sure your family members will love any boxes you give them though, everyone loves to be given such thoughtful gifts.    

moonpenny

MalMonroe said:

Hi, I was interested in doing this too, so had a look at your question and I think forgotmyname's idea of stencils is a good one. I originally thought that any paint would be okay but apparently not. People seem to advise using 'gesso' as a primer - to be honest I've never heard of that before. . .  but here is one link - https://www.standingcloud.com/paints-you-can-use-on-cardboard/ 
and if you google there are other advice pages. I don't fancy the idea of spray paint though.

I guess you could also get some old cardboard from parcels to practise on before you do the proper boxes. It isn't quite as simple as I'd first thought, I have to say. I'm sure your family members will love any boxes you give them though, everyone loves to be given such thoughtful gifts.    

Interesting points MailMonroe, the article was helpful.

Good idea to practice on cardboard but the boxes I wanted to buy are covered in a sort of paper, a bit of a linen look.

I suppose when they are made with writing on (Happy Birthday etc) they are printed or embossed before the paper is added to the boxes.

That's  a thought - embossing! will have to look up how to do it!

moonpenny

Scrap my last thought about embossing.  Wrong idea altogether.

I have been looking at you tube and there are some interesting ideas on there so will have another look.

aromaannie

order some customs acrylic decals from somewhere one Etsy?