Elaine is the owner of the new stationery brand Papermade and is the writer behind the super cute blog Hello Lovely Things. She designed the entire paper suite for her own wedding along with all of the paper details. These little matchbooks were put out for guests to either use or to take home as keepsakes. And she’s been sweet enough to break down the entire project with super clear step-by-step pictures and instructions!

Materials

matchboxes (ones in the tutorial are from Ralphs)
kraft paper (or any color or decorative paper you plan to use)
computer/printer (if you plan to print out your design)
ruler
Cutting Mat
scissors/razor blade
glue stick (or tacky glue)
pencil
bobby pins
cardstock

Instructions

Step1: Design the front and back images and insert the images into a Word document and create a template. This takes some trial and error to make sure everything is aligned properly. You can use my Word template as a starting point.

Step 2: After the images are printed, use a ruler and razor blade to cut out the strips (leave a little more room width-wise to make sure there’s enough paper to cover the original matchbox cover). I also made a simple window template out of cardstock so I can measure the length of each strip. You may be able to create gridlines in your Word template but this is how we made ours.

Step 3: After your personalized matchbox cover is cut out, unfold the original matchbox cover (a hairdryer does help this process).

Step 4: Use a glue stick to apply adhesive to the original matchbox cover. Then, line up your personalized cover with the original cover (making sure to line up the top edge as close as you can).

Step 5: As each matchbox slightly varies in width, it’s important to leave a little more room when cutting out the strips. At this stage you can go back and cut out any additional paper visible.

Step 6: Apply glue using a glue stick or tacky glue to the bottom of the strip and glue back together the matchbox cover. (I used bobby pins to enforce the glue and let it sit over night.)

Step 7: After the glue has dried, insert the box of matches back into the cover and ta-da! Your very own personalized matchboxes!

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 33 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: DIY Matchbooks, Do-It-Yourself Inspired, Hello Lovely Things, Matchbooks, Max Wanger, Papermade
Post categories: DIY Favors and Gifts, DIY Projects, The Blog

Materials
Color Printer
Paper Cutter or X-acto Knife with self healing mat
8.5 x 11″ 80lb white card stock
8.5 x 11″ 80lb colored card stock
Permanent Double Sided Tape
Gluestick
Matchbooks

Instructions
1. Download the Matchbook Cover Template. Print using the highest settings on your color printer to ensure that the text is crisp. There are 32 Matchbook Covers per sheet.

2. Cut each Matchbook cover on the dashed line, making sure to cut off all of the black ink so that the edge of each matchbook cover remains white.  The Matchbook cover size should be 1.12” x 1.75”.

3.  Cut the colored card stock into 1.4” x 2” size rectangles.  (note: matchbooks may vary in size)

4.  Glue the matchbook covers to the colored cardstock rectangles.

4. Secure the wrap matchbook covers to the top and bottom of each matchbook using double sided tape.

© Style Me Pretty : The Ultimate Wedding Blog, 2009. | Permalink | 18 comments | Add to del.icio.us
Post tags: DIY project, Matchbook DIY, Matchbooks
Post categories: DIY Favors and Gifts, DIY Packaging, DIY Projects