top of page

Glossary

Dictionary of terms found in cartonnage tutorials and books. See also the Tools and Supplies and Mini-classes pages for more details.

Awl: It is used to pierce the cardboard for the installation of clasps for example.

​

Bevel: Cut the thickness of a cardboard at an angle.

​

Box with full telescope lid : A rigid box whose lid covers the entire base. The base and the lid are separable.

​

Box with partial telescope lid: Box whose bottom and lid are separable. The lid covers just a part of the base. Seen from the outside the cover protrudes.

​

Cellulose cardboard: 100% cellulose cardboard, smooth and acid-free. It is made from wood pulp. It is used for cladding structures. 0.7 or 0.75 mm cardborad (depending on the brand) is used for the covering of structures.

​

Covering: Glue the fabric or paper on the structure or on cardboard, usually leaving a margin protruding.

​

Cubic box: Box in which all its edges have the same dimensions.

​

Cutting ruler: Non-slip ruler. It has a graduated side for measuring and a steel side for cutting.

​

Fleece: Put fleece between the cardboard and the fabric.

​

Flip Top (cigar box): Box whose lid is attached by a hinge to the base of the box. The book-style box is a variation of the Flip Top. 

​

Folder: Small tool made of plastic, bone or Teflon, used to smooth and mark folds.

​

Grey cardboard: Compact cardboard made from 100% recycled wood pulp. It is used for the assembly of structures.

​

Hat box: Round box with lid, usually quite large.

​

Hinge: Part generally made of canvas which fixes the lid on the base of the box.

​

Hollow Out: Open a window in a cardboard.

​

Incise: Cut the cardboard without crossing it, in order to fold it.

​

Gummed kraft paper: Kraft paper tape that is wetted to assemble cartons or to ensure their solidity. It can be applied outside or inside volumes.

​

Margin: Surplus of covering, paper or fabric, protruding around the cardboard and which will be glued on the reverse side.

​

Neck box (shoulder box) : Box whose lid and bottom are separable. One higher part, is glued inside the base .

​

Skivertex: Trademark of simulated leather on paper of which there is a great number of textures and patterns.

​

Smooth: Use a cloth or a tool to make the fabric or paper adhere and remove air bubbles.

​

Squaring: Checking the cutting lines with a square so that the cartons are cut at right angles. It is also necessary to check the squareness of the sides of the structure during assembly.

​

Thin card: Also called cleanliness card. Use cardstock such as Bristol, Rigidex, Canson ... 

bottom of page