Cardboard USB Flash Drive (Packaging)

by Joachim_VdV

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Intro: Cardboard USB Flash Drive (Packaging)

For a school course called "Creativity" we had to design a cardboard packaging that can be used effectively and not just serves as packaging. From this the idea came up to make a cardboard USB stick (something you probably already have seen in some form) but never else a decent concept is thought about it. So I worked out an idea where the USB stick is part of the whole package. A light compact device that can be customized to your specific needs by using pencil, pen, stylus, ... an easy medium to transfer files and manage projects orderly.

STEP 1: Materials & Tools

Since this is a simple ecologic design for a smart package, not many materials are required:

  • Standard USB Flash Drive
  • Piece of cardboard
  • Wood Glue
  • Super Glue

Used tools:

  • Lasercutter for perfect shapes (or Utility knife)
  • UV LED Printer

Used software:

  • Adobe Illustrator

STEP 2: USB

First of all I stripped down the USB Flash Drive, easy when you use cheap or free gadget devices. In my case I just had to separate tree parts from each other, no extra tools needed.

STEP 3: Measuring and Drawing

I started with measuring the USB-part, then made a simple drawing in my Illustartor file. Around this drawing I created my design for the cutting lines, one layer is connected with the USB-device with a crack-line. This layer will keep the device in the package before use.

After this I added some simple minimalistic print content, the device just has the brand logo and capacity on it. The package contains all the other information needed.

STEP 4: Cutting the Cardboard

I used a lasercutter to make this prototype, this guarantees precise cutting and smooth edges. (It's possible to cut it with a Utility Knife but the result wouldn't be the same...) I also provided a small hole for the LED indicator on the device.

STEP 5: Printing the Cardboard

To give the design a nice finish I printed some content on it, in this case I used a UV LED Printer.

STEP 6: Combining the Layers Together

After every single part is finished, it's time to get them all together... As you can see, the parts fit smoothly with the USB-device. To combine the cardboard parts I use Wood Glue, this has also a very strong effect on this material. For the USB-part I use Super Glue to fix it to cardboard.

STEP 7: Product in Use

A cheap and light devise that can be used to keep projects organized, there is a wide variety of memory sizes... Just take a USB-device, make a note on it, work on it with anyone, everywhere, anywhere ...

24 Comments

fraser02 8 years ago

Very cool, interesting thanks for sharing!

Superfluis 8 years ago

Nice minimalist taste! Definitely looks like a complete, finished product.

Wonder why the Smurfit Kappa Logo?

As for the UV LED Printer and the Laser Cutter... Were they homemade or bought?

Joachim_VdV 8 years ago

This was a school assignment for the company Smurfit Kappa (company which produces cardboard packaging). I used a Laser Cutter at school and UV LED Printer at a local Copy center.

oscardelben 8 years ago

Thank you so much for this awesome post. I've been looking for wooden usb packaging though this is cardboard. I'll let you know for sure as soon as I try this out.

s-a-barmes 8 years ago

how you cut the round corners?

s-a-barmes 8 years ago

I couldn't find this style of cardboard my cress board is so weak :-(

dontmessupmyvibe1222 8 years ago

So we have a science fair coming up and i saw this and was like ," YESS''. But I have a question. Does it actually work?

Joachim_VdV 8 years ago

Yes, this is just a working USB in another cover.

watchmeflyy 8 years ago

I like your idea of combining the product with the packaging. Your final product looks amazing! :)
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