Recycled Box Tri-fold Notepad

These are instructions to create a tri-fold notepad out of used packaging materials. Cardboard boxes come in all shapes and sizes, so I suggest you let the box guide your design.  Happy repurposing!

Materials:
1.  Cardboard box - I used a small thin box (8in x 6in x 1in) used to ship a small book, but any box will do.
2.  Paper - I used recycled paper that came with the packaging, but any paper can be used.
3.  Ruler
4.  Xacto blade or Scissors
5.  Cutting mat
6.  Bone folder (optional)
7.  Glue
8.  Pencil or pen
9.  Rubber band

Step 1 Measure and Cut Box

1.  Open the box and lay it as flat as possible on top of your cutting mat.  Because all boxes are different in construction and size, you will have to adjust these steps accordingly.  If your box is really big or hard to fully break down, cut off a section instead of trying to use the whole thing.

2.  Decide the width you want each of the 3 notepad sections to be.  My box has a nice built in flap that is the perfect width for my notepad.

3.  Mark out three sections with a ruler and pencil based on your notepad width, starting from a flat edge of your box.  You should make three marks total.  The last mark will be your cutting line for the edge of the notepad.  The middle 2 marks will be your fold lines.

4.  Place metal ruler along cutting line.  Using an Xacto knife on top of a cutting board, cut along the ruler, all the way through the cardboard.

5.  Cut off top and bottom of the notepad.  My box had perforated fold lines that made for a perfect notebook size.  You can measure any notepad height you would like based on your box dimensions.