Transfers For Wooden Gift Boxes!

Traditional ways of decorating a wooden gift box include painting, staining, carving, pyrography, inlay, laser etching, decoupage etc. But a novel way of decorating wood boxes that we discovered recently was by transferring photo images. This is a great way of personalizing wooden boxes and they make great gifts, not only at Christmas but at any time of the year.

Transferring any image from paper to another surface is fun and surprisingly easy. You don't need any special skills - just a little practice. Give it a go and soon you'll be looking for more ways to apply this simple technique!

Transfer Images On A Wooden Gift Box

The first thing you should bear in mind is that it's difficult to transfer an image obtained from an inkjet printer, as it will tend to smudge. That's okay if you like impressionism but not so good if you want a clean, crisp image transfer. So, what you'll need is a black and white or colour photocopied image.

The process of transferring the image involves applying a special transfer solution to the image you've chosen. You can purchase the transfer solution from any craft shop, or online. You then press down the image (photo side) onto the surface of the wooden box and leave it to dry.

The wooden box you have in mind can be unfinished, or if you want the image to stand out, it can be pre-painted with a water based emulsion paint, or even an oil paint.

Once the photo copy paper is dry, a damp cloth is used to wet the paper which is then gently removed leaving the image behind.

You can use a wood oil aerosol spray, or a proprietary seal from B&Q or Homebase to remove the paper residue and to provide a nice sheen or gloss finish.

The finished result is great because the image looks as though it's part of the wood rather than being stuck on like a paper transfer, or decoupage. So, what's stopping you - give it a go and release those creative juices!

http://www.polmacuk.com

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Hamper Boxes - A More Stylish Alternative To Traditional Hampers!

It's that time of year when people are thinking hard about food and drink and especially about Christmas hampers which is a tradition that seems to get stronger and stronger every year. Or does it?

Have you ever wondered why gift hampers have become so popular over the years? Everywhere you look - in high street shops and online stores, hampers are there. They're growing in popularity and this can only mean that people simply love receiving gift hampers!

Polmac Hamper Boxes For Fortnum & Mason

There is a great variety of hampers available for kids, for the older generation and for people who just want to be indulged. These are referred to as 'Pamper Hampers'.

If you check out this seasons hamper brochures you'll find that most feature traditional wicker baskets/  hampers. Traditional wicker hampers however, tend to have a slightly old-fashioned, colonial whiff about them although this may be a distinct advantage for some people.

A traditional wicker hamper will always figure in people's hearts but this year why not consider a more stylish, contemporary alternative.

Round Christmas Hamper Boxes

For instance, there are now hybrid hampers, or 'hamper boxes' that are made from a combination of wood and wicker infill panels.

There are also round hampers that look rather like tall hat boxes with lift off lids that are made from thin gauge Finnish plywood.

These hamper boxes can be supplied in a wide range of styles and finishes, including clear lacquer finishes, beautiful natural wood and colour stain finishes and vibrant block colours.

They can also be easily branded with printed logos or text, if a more personalised finish is required.

If you're feeling particularly creative, you can design your very own hamper boxes, so the next time you are thinking about sending a gift box, make yourself a cup of coffee, sit yourself down in your favourite easy chair and start designing. Now there's a thought!

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Bandsaw Boxes - Evocative & Appealing!

Band saw boxes are made from wood and are cut using a band saw. A solid, or laminated block of wood may be used to make a bandsaw box which often has a curvy linear shape, although not exclusively so.

They are quick, easy and fun to make and only require a 1/4 inch band saw blade with a hook profile. What looks good on the eye is simply marked up and cut out. The shapes and patterns that can be designed are almost limitless. 

Bandsaw Box

Other tools used to make bandsaw boxes depend upon the finish required. These may include sanding tools, carving tools and paint brushes if a painted colour finish is required.

Bandsaw boxes may be intricate and highly decorated, so are often used to store jewellery and trinkets and make great keepsake boxes.

They are particularly pleasing on the eye because everything fits so perfectly together. This is possible because all the various parts of the box are cut from the same block of wood and the 'kerf' or cut the bandsaw makes will be even all round.

Polmac (UK) Ltd uses this 'kerfing' technique to make it's wooden boxes, to ensure a perfect fit between the lids and bases. All six sides of the wooden box are glued together to make a composite carcass and the lid is then cut out from the top using a circular saw. In this instance the 'kerf' is made by the circular saw blade!

Bandsaws may be used to cut practically any irregular shape, which means that bandsaw boxes may be made into virtually any shape. If drawers are included for example, they may be a traditional rectangular, circular or oval shape.

No two bandsaw boxes are ever exactly alike because there are always variations in colour and texture from one piece of wood to the next, even if the wood is from the same tree. This is what can make bandsaw boxes so evocative and appealing!

http://www.polmacuk.com

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