Easy "Free" Magazine Storage

Easy "Free" Magazine Storage

Need files to hold your magazines or notebooks or papers? Don't want to pay for those fancy files? Here's instructions on making a free file for your stuff!

Update: These holders are not that sturdy when heavier items are placed in them, such as thicker magazines. And there's a gap in the front of the holders because of the size of the box. But if you can find smaller boxes, the same concept would work.

I used post office boxes that I had left over from sending other stuff. You can use any kind of box about the same size. Suggestions have been cereal boxes, reuse boxes you have around the house or whatever.

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Step 1Get your boxes

A good size for the box is 11 7/8" x 3 3/8" x 13 5/8". One box will make two holders.

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40 comments	Add Comment

Nov 28, 2011. 1:57 AMjazziejazzcreations says:

hey i saw alot of negativity about these boxes. if you dont want to do that you can go into any walmart store around restocking time. ask if you can have the boxes they are about to throw out. they almost always say yes. there you go lol

Aug 19, 2008. 2:45 AMcinderbelle says:

These are perfect for my second graders. I've already ordered my boxes. Thanks for the idea!

Sep 21, 2008. 3:37 AMtrees says:

I know it is tempting to get free boxes from USPS, but it is against the law and immoral. I too thought this was a great idea and picked up two boxes for free, and then I came to my senses. Taking supplies that are not used the way they are intended is not only a crime, which is stated right on the box, it is wrong. USPS provides those boxes for people who are going to be utilizing their service, if everyone at home ordered some boxes to their doorstep and didn't use them, we'd all be charged higher prices to pay for them. Do you really want to be paying higher prices in shipping so that people across the country can do free projects to their hearts content? By the way, if you order boxes from USPS, they now have your information should they want to pursue charges.

Jul 30, 2011. 1:01 AMexquisite says:

An excellent point. Thanks for speaking out on behalf of the USPS

Jan 12, 2009. 11:53 AMskidude28 says:

Go away! No one wants your negativity here. If you're gonna come in and say, "Hey! That's illegal! Knock it off!" then just leave. Ok?

Jan 13, 2009. 2:32 PMJunkyard John says:

Talk about negativity...

Jan 13, 2009. 5:40 PMskidude28 says:

Yeah thanks!
=)

Dec 20, 2008. 3:23 PMAnonyMouse69 says:

well, if they are in YOUR house sitting on YOUR shelf I doubt the USPS is going to send the police out to your house because you ordered their free boxes. besides, its not like you are using them to transport drugs or whatnot, you make a simple magazine holder. nobody is going to care that you did this with a free box. and kudos to the person who made this instructable because it makes a good use out of those leftover USPS boxes.

Dec 20, 2008. 4:22 PMaznliu (author) says:

thank you! especially for the holidays recycle those boxes!

Sep 21, 2008. 4:03 PMaznliu (author) says:

I got this idea after I ordered a set of boxes for mailing. I had extras and I figured I should make them useful. You do not have to use USPS boxes, you can use other things (like cereal boxes that someone else suggested). Plus there are other issues in the world that are more immoral than my use of boxes. Thanks for your concern, but I think I'll be fine. Think of my project as a way to recycle an used USPS box. Go Green!

Sep 21, 2008. 4:47 PMtrees says:

Hi aznliu, This was a great idea as far as making your own holder for magazines or whatever. It was a really fresh idea and I think we all would do good to think outside the box and make our own things instead of paying too much at the store. I'm sure the amount of boxes that would actually be used for a project such as this is negligible in the grand scheme of the big bad post office. I wasn't trying to be a preachy person, but I think it is important to examine my own behavior and always try to make decisions that I wouldn't mind my kids emulating. Some people pilfer napkins from restaurants and think that's ok, others do not. But anyways, it was a great idea to recycle an old box and very creative. Thanks for passing it along.

May 23, 2011. 2:38 PMmeclache says:

Unfortunately, it's not really free. The post office operates with the dollars that come out of the taxes we all pay. And this would be fine, if the Post Office was profitable, but right now they are in 8 billion dollar deficit (http://bit.ly/lLAYpV). This means they are having to make decisions such as closing post offices across the nation, even stop delivering mail on Saturdays, cut pay, and of course increase taxes. So sure, it's free, but do you want to be responsible for contributing to that? The box does have a cost, it has to be made into cardboard, cut, folded and printed with ink. If a million people follow your idea and take just one box without using it for its intended purpose, do you realize how this adds up?

Jul 16, 2011. 2:33 PMsrwoodruff says:

I agree. I think the solution to this would be to use only USPS boxes that have been used in delivery. That way it's a form of upcycling and not theft from the government.

Jun 23, 2011. 9:10 PMArtsyFartsyGirl says:

Cool idea! I've bought a few of those holders from the Goodwill, but the idea of using cereal boxes works for me, I eat a lot of cereal, and I found myself wondering if there was something I could do with them. Although, I probably would spray paint them!

Mar 1, 2011. 2:41 PMi_am_vindicated says:

You could glue some scrapbooking paper on the side OR you could use pretty magazine pages and clue it to the side like a collage :D to make even better holders :)))

Feb 3, 2009. 8:27 PMLilyGrace says:

How strange. I have an entire tutorial using this exact USPS box on my blog...and it's been posted there since August of 2008. Hmmmm...very strange indeed.

Oct 7, 2010. 9:33 AMaznliu (author) says:

Great minds think a like!

Oct 7, 2010. 8:58 AMdianaw says:

so?
congratulations.
You came up with a good idea too.
ideas like this can occur to many people- no one owns these kinds of things

Jul 22, 2009. 11:30 AMLargePaperCup says:

you really could have just looked at the info XD

Feb 3, 2009. 11:09 PMaznliu (author) says:

Interesting indeed. Considering I posted this in Feb 2008.

Oct 7, 2010. 9:03 AMdianaw says:

great idea- thanks-
Those free boxes from the Post Office are wonderful- I use them for lots of things (as well as shipping for my etsy and ebay shops)
The shoebox size makes great files for rolls or rolled up paper- ie. wrapping paper, art paper etc.

I've also used the medium size when moving- packing books which have gotten too heavy for me to carry in large boxes anymore.
Then, just collapse them down and use for shipping again.

gotta love free.
;-)
Thanks again.

Jan 4, 2010. 5:12 AMideasthatbloom says:

Great idea! I use a lot of the Priority Mail boxes to ship items, but sometimes I have leftovers (because I picked the wrong size). So for all the Negative Nellies...I'm technically recycling by making these magazine holders with boxes I can't use!!!!

Jan 3, 2010. 1:09 PMSandywich says:

lol! there are so many angry comments, but come on this was a REALLY easy idea I was surprised it was even posted. Doesn't anyone just walk around Ikea thinking, hey these Spurkla file holders are $8! I can make these at home from spare cardboard, I'm not spending money on this!

May 15, 2009. 10:53 AMsweett1 says:

If you use powdered detergent you could also use those boxes as they are really sturdy. Great idea as I am a magazine junkie!

Mar 22, 2009. 7:35 PMartist without a medium says:

Awesome idea

Feb 23, 2008. 4:23 PM

acaz93 says:

Anyone kows if USPS send that stuff to mexico ? The Design and Simplicity of This Make Them Very Nice

Mar 9, 2009. 12:56 PMmarc92 says:

I do believe that USPS stands for United States Postal Service, so I doubt they will send boxes to Mexico.

Jan 28, 2009. 12:07 AMfreckleface says:

Yay! I've been thinking about getting more magazine holders to organize my homeschooling materials but I'm on a tight budget. Thank you for this idea. It saves me money and its reduce before reuse before recycle. Ya saved that tree a step. :P To all you nay sayers, did you miss the "be nice" comment policy right under the comment box? Go away and but a shoe box on your head, but be careful... Nike might get mad at you for reusing the box...

Jan 26, 2009. 4:29 PMStrangeRover says:

doodz - FedEx will GIVE you boxes very much like this AND you don't have to worry (or argue) about federal regulations. I'm guessing that UPS might also supply you with lovely, brown boxes.

Sep 21, 2008. 3:41 AMtrees says:

I know it is tempting to get free boxes from USPS, but it is against the law and immoral. I too thought this was a great idea and picked up two boxes for free, and then I came to my senses. Taking supplies that are not used the way they are intended is not only a crime, which is stated right on the box, it is wrong. USPS provides those boxes for people who are going to be utilizing their service, if everyone at home ordered some boxes to their doorstep and didn't use them, we'd all be charged higher prices to pay for them. Do you really want to be paying higher prices in shipping so that people across the country can do free projects to their hearts content? By the way, if you order boxes from USPS, they now have your information should they want to pursue charges.

Jan 12, 2009. 11:54 AMskidude28 says:

And you posted this same thing twice? Fail.

Dec 18, 2008. 8:39 PMRenirock says:

a good alternative for the usps boxes could be a cereal box.
And if there too flimsly you can always take another one and reinforce the sides or bottom, plus its recycling (^-) woot! gatta luv recycling~

Aug 26, 2008. 3:05 PMmysterygirl154 says:

You can use cereal boxes to

Jul 31, 2008. 7:20 PMcleargreenfire says:

Cereal boxes work for this as well, although I would recommend a little reinforcement if you try using them.

Jun 7, 2008. 8:20 AMtinkluvspan says:

i went and got some boxes from post office today:)

May 13, 2008. 11:09 AMheyjai says:

Great idea! I just ordered some boxes to decoupage for the first time. Thank you!

Feb 29, 2008. 10:31 AMreese52 says:

What a great idea! I just ordered the boxes and will be trying this out.

Feb 24, 2008. 8:41 PMScammah says:

Man that's nuts. This is so simple however very effective. I was recently at Kmart and they were charging 7 bucks for one box just like this and it was cardboard too. I literally screamed when I saw this because I was so appalled that they were ripping people off. I imediatley made a comment to my girlfriend about the price and said I'm sure I could make one of these for cheaper now I can for free. Thanks for the info you saved me a ton O money

Feb 23, 2008. 5:17 PMaznliu (author) says:

Hmmm. I'm not sure if USPS will send it to Mexico. You'll have to create an account when you check out and perhaps then you can see if they will mail it there. You might be charged for shipping.

Feb 23, 2008. 3:06 PMGorillazMiko says:

Awesome. I love how USPS and stuff gives you that free stuff, it's totally AWESOME. +1 rating. (added to favorites)

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Author:aznliu