Album in a Box - Hidden Hinge Mini Album

A project from our live show ALBUM IN A BOX - ONLINE TUTORIAL - Broadcast 7th Dec 23 · 12/07/2023 · watch it from 0:00

Create a complete mini album housed in an MDF box with a lid. The album features a hidden hinge system with ten pages, each with built-in pockets for storing photos, tags, vouchers and memorabilia. This is a memory-keeping project that makes an exceptional gift.

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Step by step

1. Assemble the MDF box by gluing the four sides to the base piece, ensuring the riveted edges align correctly. Hold each joint secure while the glue sets. ▶ watch 5:00
2. Cut five pieces of black card stock to create the hidden hinge system: 13cm × 9cm, 11cm × 9cm, 9cm × 9cm, 7cm × 9cm, and 5cm × 9cm. ▶ watch 11:30
3. Score each black card piece 2cm from both the left and right edges using a scoring tool, creating fold lines for the hinge mechanism. ▶ watch 15:30
4. Glue the five hinge pieces together, nesting each smaller piece inside the larger one, centring them carefully to create the accordion-style hinge. ▶ watch 18:30
5. Cut ten pieces of black card stock measuring 9cm × 15cm for the album pages. These will attach to the hinge flaps. ▶ watch 22:15
6. Score each page 3.5cm from one end to create a built-in pocket. This fold allows you to insert tags, vouchers or photos into each page. ▶ watch 25:30
7. Glue the sides of the scored section to create pockets on all ten pages, or leave some unglued if you prefer to cover them with patterned paper instead. ▶ watch 28:00
8. Attach all ten pages to the hidden hinge system, gluing each page slightly away from the score line to ensure smooth, flexible page movement. ▶ watch 36:00
9. Cut a piece of black card to fit the inside of the lid (approximately 10.75cm × 10.75cm) and glue it in place to hide the hinge system. ▶ watch 45:30
10. Position the completed album inside the lid, ensuring it sits centrally with even gaps on all sides, then secure with glue or tape. ▶ watch 47:30
11. Glue the four brass feet to the base of the box, applying glue only to the flat base of each foot to avoid excess adhesive showing. ▶ watch 58:00
12. Glue the brass handle to the top of the lid, positioning it centrally and applying minimal glue to prevent splurging. ▶ watch 1:02:00

Tips from the show

• Use red liner tape in addition to glue for extra durability if making this as a special gift or for sale.
• Score at 3.5cm rather than 3cm on the pages to ensure they fit properly inside the box lid without being too long.
• Build the structural system first before decorating, so your patterned paper will hide all the black hinge connectors for a seamless appearance.

Written up from the show itself. See every guide from our shows · free how-to guides · watch live on My Telly