![]() (Optional) Shadow box display frame (you can get them from Amazon, IKEA, Michaels, and JoAnns).Clear adhesive 3D Zots (I used these exact ones) or something else to space your layers paper, like weather stripping or strips of foam core or sign board (3D zots are better for lots of layers because they aren’t as thick).paper is too thick and won’t allow the light to shine through as well ![]() 12″ x 12″ white or light colored paper (I used this exact brand, type, and color) - note: I think 80 lb. Ready? Let me show you how to design your own shadow box and enclose it in a display frame with LED lights! This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link I will earn a small commission but it won’t cost you a penny more)! Read my full disclosure policy. ![]() Key concepts taught in this tutorial include how to use my shadow box template, how to identify Cricut Access images, how to weld, how to slice, how to change linetype, how to add spacers between layers, and how to light up your shadow box. You can also use this box pattern to just keep your design nice and neat and tidy inside your display frame. Each template set also has a box pattern with so you can make designs without buying wood shadow box display frames, too. To help you design your custom shadow box successfully, I’ve created five different template sets in eight sizes ranging from 8″ to 12″ to fit most commercial shadow box display frames. I highly recommend it! (Tip: If you just got your Cricut, you get a free month of Cricut Access - this is a great time to experiment with it!) I have a Cricut Access subscription and I’ll be using it to create the shadow boxes in this tutorial. You can find pretty much everything you need to design shadow boxes in Cricut Access. If you’re not familiar with Cricut Access, this is a subscription program from Cricut that allows you access to over 100,000 images-you can search and use the images in Cricut Design Space, which makes it perfect for designing shadow boxes. You can simply use shapes or upload our own images, but what works REALLY well is to use Cricut Access. But both of those programs have a learning curve, so today I’m going to show you how to make them more simply in Cricut Design Space. You can design shadow boxes in many different ways-I usually design them in Illustrator, and I know others who design them in Inkscape. From there, you can introduce more elements and more layers, just be sure to keep that central focal point nice and clear. ![]() The simplest shadow box design, and the one I recommend you begin with if you’re new to this, is simply two layers of frames with a single focal point layer and a solid, uncut background layer. The background is at the back of the layers.The focal point layer comes after the top frame layers.First layers are typically the frames, and there are usually at least two of these layers (more layers will give you more depth).Here’s the layer order for a shadow box, from front to back: Now let’s talk about shadow box layers and their order. If we look closely at the shadow box I designed, the focal point is the people on the swing, the frames are the foliage (trees and flowers) around it, and the background is the sun. It can be as simple as a plain and uncut piece of cardstock, or you can add extra layers behind that piece of cardstock to add more depth, such as a sun, moon, stars, or even a reflection. For the best results, your focal point should be clearly defined and without other layers touching it or overlapping it.Ī shadow box’s frames are the elements you’ll have at the edges (top, sides, and bottom), often things like trees, flowers, other less-important buildings and animals, or really just anything that goes with the theme and helps you draw the eye to the focal point.Ī shadow box’s background is what appears behind the focal point and frames. This focal point isn’t likely to be very large, but the eye will be drawn to it. It’s often the silhouette of a person or people, an animal, a character, a building, or something else meaningful and personal. The secret to creating a beautiful custom shadow box is to always have three things: a FOCAL POINT, FRAMES, and a BACKGROUND.Ī shadow box’s focal point, usually at the center, is the element you want to really stand out. Then when you shine a light from behind the layers of cardstock, the light comes through the layers in varying degrees of brightness, creating a lovely 3D effect with depth and beauty. Essentially, the way a shadow box works is you stack many layers of cardstock on top of each other, with each layer having different elements cut out from the center of the cardstock. In order to design a custom shadow box, it helps to understand how shadow boxes work. Easy Paper Craft Ideas & Projects Expand.
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