So many projects here at Right Now Crafts feature paperboard boxes with the brown, or kraft, side showing. It’s a beautiful color and makes the shape of the project look especially nice. But color and lines are fun too, so I thought we could look at some things that work well for decorating boxes — inside and out.

Things I like to use:

1

Colored markers are so easy and convenient. The colors come out different on the brown than they do on white paper so I like to test first on a scrap of box. I actually really like the way the brown softens the colors.

Water-based markers, including the washable kind, work well on paperboard but not on the outsides of most boxes. The outside has inks and coatings that only a solvent-based ink will stick to. Sharpies are one option. For more colors and less odor look online for inexpensive sets of alcohol-based markers.

2

Chalk marker really pops against the brown. The pigment tends to settle so shake the marker as needed to keep your lines bright.

3

Colored pencils are fairly opaque so they show up well. Use the side of the lead to cover larger areas quickly.

Crayons work great.

Oil pastels work but may their oil may seep into the surrounding paperboard after a while.

4

Collage: Another way to add color is to tape or gluestick pieces of magazine or catalog pages onto your projects. This Nicho has strips cut from catalog pages that were accordion folded first, like for Catalog Stars (that’s a Catalog Star behind the photo too).

5

Rubber stamps: You can use store-bought stamps, or use found items like the eraser-end of a new pencil. Thumbprints make great roof tiles or other designs.

Add detail or outline your stamping with a fine marker.

What have you tried? Drop me a line and let me know what else works!