Double-Boxing

This is a technique to add strength to any cardboard box. If you are shipping something fragile, or just want to add extra protection to a box without spending a lot of money, this is for you!

Please Note: This requires the use of a box cutter so please be very careful when using sharp blades!

You will need:
Cardboard Box
Pieces of Cardboard
Surface to cut on
Box Cutter


I have a regular ‘ol cardboard box, but with just a few scraps of excess cardboard I can double the strength in minutes!

I always keep extra cardboard around- be it from dilapidated boxes, Ikea furniture boxes, etc. It always comes in handy. Here I use a sheet of cardboard under the cardboard I’m cutting so I don’t damage the floor.


First cut a piece that fits in the bottom of the box. Just set the box on top of the cardboard and draw around it, cutting a little smaller than the drawing so it fits snug in the bottom. You can also measure out the sides. I do it by hand since I’ve done it so much. Do whichever works for you!


Cut squares to fit on each side of the box. Just lay a piece of cardboard in front of a side and cut to that width. Then hold the piece against the box to see how tall the piece needs to be. (You can also just measure the sides and draw them on the cardboard, whichever you prefer.)


Since two sides are usually the same, you can easily cut two for the front sides and two for the longer ones.




Assemble the pieces inside and voula! You’ve got a box double the strength and it didn’t cost you anything except for re-using cardboard! You can also add more to make the box more secure if you want.