Make a DIY Matchbox with Cricut
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This project combines my love for collecting matchbooks with the magic of Cricut crafting. Let's dive into the world of personalized matchbooks and ignite your creativity!
Table of Contents Show
Designing Your Matchbook
The journey to creating your personalized matchbook begins in Cricut Design Space. You can either follow along with my "Burn Baby Burn" disco-themed design, or customize the design to your liking. (The template for the matchbook itself is the same.)
First, open my free matchbook template. This will pull up a Design Space Window. From here, you have two options depending on design preference:
Use my “Burn Baby Burn” design
Press “Make It,” and follow the on-screen prompts.
Use your own design
Click "Customize."
Delete the existing decorative element (“Burn Baby Burn” text) and replace it with your own. You can use virtually any SVG file (barring ultra-intricate images; these matchbooks are small!).
Uploaded your chosen SVG to your canvas, and resize the SVG so it fits within the border of the matchbook template.
TIP: If you want to resize your matchbook, simultaneously select both the interior and exterior matchbook components to ensure they scale proportionally.
Preparing Your Materials
Once your design is set, it's time to bring it to life:
Scoring and Cutting the Matchbox Structure
Press “Make It” in the upper right hand corner of your canvas.
Attach the double scoring wheel to your Cricut machine.
Smooth your Kraft/card stock onto a standard grip cutting mat.
Feed the card stock and mat into your Cricut by pressing the flashing arrow button on your machine.
Initiate the scoring process by following onscreen prompts.
After scoring is complete, swap the double scoring wheel for a regular fine point blade.
Initiate cutting by following onscreen prompts.
Cutting the Vinyl and Striker Paper
Smooth your chosen vinyl, shiny side up, onto a cutting mat. Follow Design Space instructions to initiate cutting.
Then, when prompted, smooth your match striker paper onto a cutting mat and follow onscreen instructions.
Once cutting is complete, “weed” (i.e. remove) excess vinyl surrounding your design. (You should be left with your design on the white vinyl backing.)
Assembling Your Matchbook
Folding and Gluing the Matchbox
Use a scoring stylus or the edge of a credit card to create sharp folds along the scored lines of your matchbook pieces. Carefully tuck the tabs into the designated slots and apply a small dot of glue on each corner to secure everything in place.
Adding the Vinyl Design
After the basic structure of your matchbook is ready, take your transfer tape and cut it to the appropriate size. Place it over your vinyl design, ensuring it adheres well so that the transfer tape picks up the vinyl effectively. Position this vinyl design precisely in the center of your matchbook for a polished look.
Adhering the Striker Paper
Finally, peel away the backing of your cut-out match striker paper. Place it strategically on your matchbook where you want the striking surface to be.
Fill your completed matchbox with colorful matches, et voilà!
