instructables

How to Create a 3D Paper Cut Light Box | DIY Project

by Creativity Hero

Inspired by the artists Hari & Deepti and their beautiful artwork I decided to create a 3D paper cut light box.

It can be used as a wonderful home decor, or a unique birthday or wedding gift. You can mount it on a wall, or
place it on a desk and enjoy its charming beauty. Basically, this light box consists of paper cut outs layered on
each other in a box with a glass panel. LED lights are placed behind all the layers, which makes each layer glow,
giving this 3D look. In this video I’ll show you how I made this light box step by step, and also I’ll give you some
tips that will help you achieve the desired effect.

Here are the materials I used:

Wood board 8 x 1 cm (2 x 27 cm; 2 x 20 cm) (your local hardware store

Wood stripe 1 x 1 cm (2 x 25 cm; 2 x 18 cm) (your local hardware store)
Plywood 22 x 27 cm (your local hardware store)
White card stock (170 grams thickness) http://amzn.to/2s2BncV
Copy paper (80 grams thickness) http://amzn.to/2tFPjXw
Foam core board http://amzn.to/2t6wG1t
Glass panel 20 x 25 cm (you can use glass from old photo frame) http://amzn.to/2s7tEoV
RGB LED strip lights http://amzn.to/2sC5tm8
White glue http://amzn.to/2tFyhIX
Wood glue http://amzn.to/2tFVjzs
Paint http://amzn.to/2t6wHSV
Screws 4 x 16 mm http://amzn.to/2sCj4Kk
Pins http://amzn.to/2t6rkDY

Types of tools I used:

Pencil http://amzn.to/2s70yX4
Eraser http://amzn.to/2t6dErP
X-Acto knife http://amzn.to/2t2Sx9v
Ruler http://amzn.to/2s78irO
Square ruler http://amzn.to/2s34Q6F
Scissors http://amzn.to/2t6zrQv
Screwdriver http://amzn.to/2t6Sw4O
Hand saw http://amzn.to/2t6oqyr
Sand paper http://amzn.to/2s7b8gM
Clamps http://amzn.to/2s7baVW
How to Create a 3D Paper Cut Light Box | DIY Project: Page 1
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPbtI39k_rs&t=334s

Step 1: Make Your Own Design, or Download and Print Out the Template.

I created the design for this light box and made a
template.
You can download it on my website. Here's the link:
How To Create A 3D Paper Cut Light Box | DIY
Project
So, the first thing you need to do is to download and
print out the template. It’s made for a 20 x 25 cm light
box (8 x 10 inches), but you can scale it up and down
if needed. You can also make your own unique
design.
I recommend using 170 grams white card stock,
because it’s stiff enough to stand up and thin enough
to let the light pass through.
So, draw the first layer of your design onto the card
stock and add a border on each layer, around 1 cm.
This will help you glue the layers much easier. You’ll
never see anything here.

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Step 2: Cut the Layers Using an X-Acto Knife.

Once you’re done with the first layer, cut it out using After that, place the first layer onto another piece of
an X-Acto knife. X-acto knife is an original cutting tool card stock, and draw the next layer. Remove the first
designed to deliver the sharpest, most accurate cut layer and finish the second one. Cut it out, and repeat
on your projects. this process until you are done with all the layers.

I didn’t have one at home, so I used this utility knife, The more layers you make, the better the effect you
and it turned out quite well. get.

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Step 3: Create a Water Reflection Effect.

As you can see, my 4th layer is without design with I cut the upper half of the layer because I wanted the
one half missing. This is because I wanted to create a moon and the stars on the last layer to be brighter.
water reflection effect. For this layer I used an 80 grams copy paper, for a
better transparency effect.
This is how it works: this layer will be placed behind
the layer with a horse and in front of the “upside Don’t forget about the borders!
down” layer. The paper left in the 4th layer will hide
the reflection at first but it will appear when the light is
on.

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Step 4: Make a Moon and Stars.

On the last layer I made a large moon and stars. For the moon, I’ve cut a circle with my utility knife, and for the
stars I’ve put the card stock onto a foam board and made small holes with a pin.

Step 5: Reassemble the Layers and Glue Them Together.

The layers are reassembled with foam spacers in are properly lined up. Repeat this process until all the
between each one. This gives the image the layers are glued together.
appearance of depth and creates a 3D effect.
To get a reflection effect, you don’t have to separate
I cut out the foam spacers. They are all 1 cm wide. I those three layers with spacers, instead you should
cut 12 spacers 25 cm long, and another 12 spacers glue them together. The water layer goes behind the
18 cm long. There should be 4 spacers on each layer. horse layer, and then the upside down layer goes
behind the water layer.
Then, I glued the layers together. I’m going to glue
spacers around the edges of the first layer and then Now, you have all the layers!
glue the next layer on top of it. Make sure the layers

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How to Create a 3D Paper Cut Light Box | DIY Project: Page 6
Step 6: Build a Wooden Box.

Now, it is time to build the wooden box. You can also
buy pre-made boxes, but I like working with wood, so
I created mine.
Measure the thickness of your paper layers plus
about 2 cm space for lights, frame and a glass panel.
The depth of my box is 8 cm. You can leave more
space if you want, because mine was a tight fit.
I used a hand saw to cut 2 pieces 27 cm long, and 2
pieces 20 cm long. Then, I glued the box with a wood
glue and used some clamps to hold everything in
place while it dried.

Step 7: Build a Frame Inside the Box to Keep the Glass Panel in Place.

To keep the glass in place I needed to make another frame inside the box with a wood stripe 1 x 1 cm. So, I cut 2
pieces 25 cm long and 2 pieces 18 cm long. I glued them inside the box and left them to dry out.

How to Create a 3D Paper Cut Light Box | DIY Project: Page 7

Step 8: Paint the Light Box.

After that, we need to paint the light box. You can paint the outside however you want, but paint the back piece
white, so you don’t have to cover it with a piece of card stock. I painted the entire box white.

Step 9: Make a Back for the Light Box.

For the back piece I used a piece of plywood, white on one side, so I needed to paint the back side, because as I
already said, I wanted my box to be completely white. The dimensions of the plywood are 27 by 22 cm, 3 mm
thick.

I made a 5 by 15 mm hole for the lights power to fit through.

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Step 10: Put All the Pieces Together.

Once they’re dry, I can put the glass into the box, and then push the card stock and foam core layers into the light
box until they touch the glass.

Don’t forget to clean the glass from the inside, because you won’t be able to remove the layers without ruining
them.

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Step 11: Put Some Lights in the Box.

Now, let’s put some lights in the box.
I had 200 grams card stock, and I wasn’t sure how
much the light will pass through all the layers. So, I
decided to put a light strip all around the box. I cut the
lights to the right length, around 90 cm and stuck
inside the box. You can put them wherever you want!
are self-adhesive, flexible, you can cut them to size,
and you can easily change colors, which will provide
better effect. Also, they barely generate any heat. So,
they are perfect for this kind of project.
Once I’m done with the lights, I tread the power cord
through and glued the back down.

You can use different light sources, for example fairy Now your 3D paper cut light box is complete.
lights, or LED lights, it depends on you. I highly
recommend using RGB LED strip lights because they

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Step 12: Turn Your Light Box on and Admire the Amazing Result!

Thank you so much for watching. I hope you enjoyed
this wonderful DIY.
If you liked this video give me a thumbs up and
subscribe to my YouTube channel.
Website: https://creativityhero.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CreativityHero/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativityhero/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/CreativityHero Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/creativityhero/

Sooo beautiful !!

Thank you :)

I like
I will do it

How to Create a 3D Paper Cut Light Box | DIY Project: Page 11

 That's awesome! Send some photos of your creation. I'd love to see it!

Beautiful. I am disappointed that no one seems to be giving credit to Lotte Reiniger, who pretty
clearly serves as the inspiration of your inspiration.

I don't know that that's entirely fair.

Marija references who inspred her (Hari & Deepti http://www.blackbookgallery.com/artists/hari-
deept... ), who make shadow box environments. They are not animations like Lotte Reninger's,
who has indicated she was inspired by the Chinese shadow theatre performances and history.
So stills vs animations. Yes they both use silhouettes.
Hari and Deepti are from India which also has its own strong shadow box theatre history. I really
think you're disappointment is unfounded. Its not clear that Hari and Deepti, or Marija are clearly
influenced by Lotte's wonderful animations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotte_Reiniger

Thank you for your comments. I really appreciate it! Lotte Reiniger and Hari & Deepti have different
styles. When I first saw the artwork of Hari & Deepti I was amazed and challenged myself to create
a shadow box by my own. So, these artists, Hari & Deepti, were definitely my inspiration.

My girls would love this shadow box as a night light. Great Job.

Thank you very much :D I'm glad you like it.

awesome....

Thank you :)

Nicely done! Mine was in wood, but pretty close all around!

Thanks! Your project is amazing as well! :D

That's beautiful!

Thanks :D

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 very beautiful

Thank you very much :)

I will definitely make this beautiful creation if I need any help I will ask you

Great! Send some photos once you finish. I would love to see how yours turned out. :)

Brilliant.

Thank you! :D

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