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Light up Shadow Box Guide
These templates vary in their complexity and some would be very difficult to cut by hand, so
a cutting machine would be required to complete the project, a machine such as a
Silhouette Cameo or a Cricut machine will work well with these templates.
Step 1: Pick Your Project
Select which project you are going to create, download
from the source and unzip the files to see the various
layers and other information.
You will see PDF / PNG / SVG files and depending on how
you plan on cutting the files you will need to use the most
suitable file type to either print for hand cutting or upload
to cutting machine.
SVGs are best for Silhouette and Cricut machines.
Some machine use PNGs.
And PDFs are best for hand cutting.
Step 2: Materials
Source the required materials and equipment to create your project, at a minimum you will
need the following.
• Cutting matt
• Craft scissors
• Craft knife (sharp one)
• Tweezers
• 5mm double sided tape
• 5mm foam board
• Card stock 12x12 inch (30.5x30.5cm) 180 to 220gsm
• Steal rule
• LED strip, self-adhesive, 1 meter long, 30 bulbs per
meter
• Chameleon markers for colouring LED bulbs
Step 3: Choose The Correct Shadow Box Frame For Your Project
Pending on the size of the project you will need to choose a shadow box frame suitable to
take the dept of the overall project layers and the LED lighting.
Typically a frame with an insert opening of 30mm will fit most projects depending on the
number of layers.
Of course if you want to make a much deeper shadow box then you may require a much
deeper insert space.
We offer card stock shadow box frames of different sizes on our Etsy shop page, these can
be idea to start with as you can use the same card stock as your project to create a suitable
box frame and test your finished project to see how it looks.
We often don’t use the more expensive wooden or plastic frames as the effect with the card
stock frames is very good.
Step 4: Cut Out The Various Layers
So now you are ready to start cutting out your layers. It is important to ensure the layer size
is the correct size for your chosen shadow box frame, too big and it will not fit, or too small
and you will see too much of the boarders.
We generally cover the back board of the frame with white paper / card to help reflect the
LED light through the shadow box, use strips of double sided tape to attach the paper or
card.
Step 5: Creating the Foam Board Strips
Firstly you will need a steal ruler or similar, a craft knife and a pencil.
For a 9x9 inch project you will need foam board lengths of 180mm, each 5mm wide, four
strips for between each layer.
Mark your foam board with a ruler and pencil at 180mm and 5mm and cut strips with the
craft knife using the edge of the steal rule as a guide. Caution this is not an easy task and if
not careful you could easily give yourself a nasty cut, be careful.
Step 6: Applying Double Side Tape to the Foam Strips
Take each strip and apply a strip of double sided tape to one side. Keep the tape centred on
the strip of foam board where possible.
Depending on the frame you have chosen you might need double sided tape on the foam
board strips you use for mounting the LED lights, this generally applies to the card stock
frames as this type of frame is assembled from back to front, where as shop bought frames
are assembled from front to back.
Step 7: Mounting the Foam Board Strips to the Layers
Layer 1, the front layer does not require foam board.
Layer 2 should have four strips of foam board attached to the front facing edges of the layer
with the double sided tape you attached to the foam board earlier.
Further layers should have four strips attached to the front facing edge as per layer 2.
Step 8: Setting Up The LED Lights
Firstly you need to attach the LED light strip to foam board strips, use the adhesive backing
on the LED strip to attach, or use double sided tape if required. Make sure you space the
LED lights with a suitable gap between each foam strip to fit them around the inside of your
chosen shadow box frame.
Next line up the lights in the frame to ensure all fits well and workout where the cable for
the lights will come out of the frame and create a pathway, ensure that when the frame is
fully assembled that the cable is not pinched / damaged by the frame.
Step 9: Colouring The Lights
For your project you can set the colour of the LED bulbs by colouring them with the likes of
Chameleon markers, we find the Chameleon markers work the best.
Decide what colour effect you would like and colour each bulb to create light effects that
suit your project.
We find the most suitable colours are as follows.
• PR4 Purple Grape
• BV4 Blue Violet
• RD4 Crimson Red
• GR3 Grass Green
• CB Colourless Blender (this is used to lighten the colours or even to clean the colour
off a bulb if it is incorrect)
Step 10: Assembling The Finished Project
No you are ready to assemble the project.
Firstly check all layers will fit the chosen frame.
Next check you have all the layers in the correct order.
Then one by one assemble the layers in the frame, attach the front or back of the frame,
turn on the lights and enjoy.
Step 11: Send Us a Photo
We love to see what our customer have created and to get feedback of what they like and
what they would like improved or even new ideas for creations, so don’t be shy.
Wendy x
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