Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with cardboard

Know of any really thick paperboard or card stock?

BirdD0g — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 10:20:32 -0800

Does anyone know of a thick, affordable paperboard stock for packaging? I'm looking for a really thick cover stock, probably 2-3 sheets laminated together to achieve .04" or .05" thickness. Probably somewhere in the 250-300 lb. range.

The final application doesn't need to be printed on, and while different color options would be nice, affordability is key. Fancy cover stocks from paper vendors tend to be ULTRA expensive. I'd settle for something more utilitarian, but I'm open to anything you may know of and any samples or information I might be able to obtain.

Why is cardboard so expensive?

nitsuj — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:48:09 -0800

It's almost time to pack up and move. The sites selling cardboard moving box kits charge an arm and a leg. Is there an online alternative -- a Monoprice of the cardboard box market, perhaps?

Cardboard in Pasadena

kepano — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 22:40:25 -0800

Where can I buy flat sheets of corrugated cardboard near Pasadena? I'm looking to buy large sheets of corrugated cardboard (24x48 inches or bigger). I need them soon! Hopefully in or near Pasadena, CA.

Suggestions?

What is the difference between card stock and construction paper?

kreestar — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 07:39:42 -0800

What is the difference between card stock and construction paper? Any web searches reveal that they're of similar weight/size and are used in standard art projects, but being from non-US, they're not specific enough for me to understand what it is. Where I live, it's all "cardboard" to us =\ . If there are folks who've laid hands on these, it would help me with arts/crafts projects online if I used the right paper-tools for the job

How much postage do I need?

ootsocsid — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 20:37:50 -0800

How much postage do I need? I am mailing a standard envelope with one piece of paper and an 8.5" x 11" piece of cardboard (cut into puzzle pieces), but I don't know how much postage I need. Can anyone with a postal scale weigh the piece of cardboard from the back of a standard 8.5" x 11" pad of paper plus one piece of paper and an envelope and tell me the total weight?

Thanks!

DIY Cardboard Displays

Rykey — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:07:53 -0800

Please help me find free online blueprints for cardboard store displays. I have access to large sheets of cardboard, and want to make some retail-type floor displays like these.

I've checked Google and found plenty of sites that sell pre-cut displays, and I even found this old AskMeFi question, but nothing solid so far.

A blueprint with measurements, score lines, shapes, etc. for a basic merchandise display stand would be great. I could probably also modify plans for something other than display stands, so be creative with your suggestions.

Where can I buy cheap paper to make my own greeting cards?

moooshy — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:31:04 -0800

[Homemade Greeting Card Filter] I want to make greeting cards, for friends and family -- mainly for obscure holidays (and just to say hello!) But buying supplies at PaperSource is super expensive -- and stamps are not exactly cheap. Where do you buy specialty stock paper and other greeting card paraphernalia? [mi] I'm interested in cheap stock paper that might resemble the folded cards section on Paper Source. It's heavy, and bendable -- and comes in lots of colors.

I'd rather buy sheets of thick paper in different colors and cut them -- cheaper and more variety of shapes. Is there a place to bulk order paper?

Also, if you know of any cheap decorating tips or techniques for making really awesome greeting cards, please let me know. Specifically: stamps, glitter, beads, stickers, etc.

How to make lifesize cutouts of normal people

schroedinger — Wed, 30 May 2007 09:48:52 -0800

A friend needs to make a lifesize cardboard cut-out of themselves and ship it somewhere. They live in Baltimore. How to do this?

What would you do with a cardboard tube?

Totally Zanzibarin' Ya — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 08:34:45 -0800

So I have a buttload of cardboard tubes...what can I do with them? They are 3 feet long, 4 inches across on the inside diameter, and about 1/4 inch thick (sturdy).

I was thinking maybe building some rockets or a launcher of some type, but I would like more ideas.

Links would be helpful and appreciated. Thanks!

Cardboard Geodesic Dome

goalyeehah — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 18:10:09 -0800

I want to build a small, inexpensive geodesic dome using cardboard. Where can I find good specs and instructions? Is this even feasible with regular cardboard? The idea is to build a small dome with friends at a minimal cost with inexpensive materials. The idea is to make one that is 5-6 feet in diameter.
I do not know of any books by Bucky Fuller that actually give out this information.

I plan on doing during the Winter Solstice and have great fun doing it.

How can I build a unique cat tree?

bchaplin — Sat, 07 Oct 2006 07:40:55 -0800

I have one free wall in my tiny apartment for a cat tree. It's in my kitchen, and I would like it to look like a unique piece of sculpture -- not the traditional wood and carpet cat trees that everyone has. I want something at least six feet tall, and under $100, so it needs to be a DIY project. I really like the look of these corrugated cardboard pieces, and also these, and I know my cats would love something made out of that material. How can I construct something like that? It doesn't even have to be rounded -- I'm really aiming for a tall, interlocking rectangular climbing structure that they could climb on, scratch and perch from. But how do I get my hands on that sort of cardboard? What equipment/facilities are construct to design pieces like that?

Is the box more nutritious?

Gungho — Wed, 30 Aug 2006 12:35:49 -0800

I'm asking for a male friend who has tried Weight Watchers but didn't like going to meetings. So do these cardboard box diets work? You know the ones where they send you the food. Nutra system is one of them.

I see your cardboard and I want to paint it... red.

Satapher — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 16:57:03 -0800

What kind of dye/wash should I use to make thin brown cardboard a dark red? The thin brown cardboard ill be using are the Arigato CD Cases at Stumptown Printers -- they come unfolded and are brown. Im going to have them screenprinted by a local artist, and intended on spraypainting them dark red, but was informed by the screenprinter that spraypaint would make the cardboard unscreenprintable (I imagine this is because the cardboard would lose its porousness)

I was given the idea of dipping the unfolded cases in dark red dye, but im not sure what im looking for.

Any ideas, related to what dyes would do the job (hoping for blood red) or any ideas for the "enreddenation" of the cardboard while keeping its screenprinting friendlyness?

Cardboard in the oven...?

amro — Fri, 29 Jul 2005 09:49:59 -0800

I bought a package of frozen eggplant parm at Trader Joe's, and the cooking instructions are to place the package (made of cardboard) directly into the oven... The instructions specify not to place the package within, I think, 7 inches of any heating element in the oven. But still, it seems counterintuitive to place a cardboard package in a hot oven. Can anyone tell me why this is safe? Or has anyone ever prepared packaged food like this?