“Hellraiser” is a popular book and horror movie series from the ’80s. If you haven’t seen them, go watch them. Even if you haven’t seen them, I’m sure you’ve heard of Pinhead and the puzzle box. He’s as popular as Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, and Jason Voorhees.
I decided this Halloween to make my own “Hellraiser” puzzle box. I needed an idea that was simple, but looked awesome. I figured it out and now I am going to show you how to make your own puzzle box.
What You Need:
Folding photo cube
Gold foil paper
Puzzle box design
Laser jet printer
Packaging tape
Bowl of water
Scissors
Small paintbrush
Craft glue
Preparing the Design
1) Save the puzzle box design to your computer. I got mine from the awesome Gonchir on Deviantart.
2) Open the design in your photo editing software. I use Paint.net, but you can use any software you are comfortable with.
3) Change the image from color to black-and-white.
4) Resize the squares so they fit your puzzle box. The sides of my box were 2 3/4 inches so I had to resize the squares just a tiny bit.
5) Print the design using the best printing quality. You need two copies so you have 12 squares.
Making the Gold Sides
1) Cut out one of the squares.
2) Cover the front of the square with packaging tape. Try to use only one piece of tape, but you have to use two, make sure the edge overlap slightly.
3) Cut off any tape that sticks out from the edges.
4) Soak the tape covered paper in the bowl of water for a couple minutes.
5) Rub the paper off the back using a circular motion with your thumb. The paper will rub off and the ink will remain on the tape.
6) Let the inked tape dry and repeat with the other squares.
7) Stick the puzzle tape on the gold paper. It should stick without needing glue. The gold will show through the clear parts of the tape.
8) Cut out the squares with the gold backing.
Making the Puzzle
1) Cut each squares into four equal smaller squares using the paper cutter.
2) Take the four pieces of one squares and glue them to the four squares on one side of the puzzle box.
3) Repeat with the other five sides on the outside of the cube.
4) Open the cube to reveal more blank squares and glue the rest of the puzzle design to them.
Tips
1) Paint the finished cube with Mod Podge to help the pieces stay and the color to last longer.
2) Cut and glue one side at a time so you don’t get confused about all the pieces.
3) You can purchase pre-made photo cubes at craft stores, but you can also make them yourself if you feel ambitious.
4) You can do this using a Rubik’s cube, as well. I intend to make a Rubik’s cube Hellraiser puzzle box soon.
5) If you don’t have a laser jet printer, print the design using an ink jet printer and then make two photocopies of it at your local library or office supply store.
