Printable Paper Tray Template | Family Economics

By Cathe

Although it took many years to finally appreciate, I now love working with glitter when crafting. I was thinking it would be a good idea to design a catch-tray for the extra glitter that falls, but one that allows easy pouring of remaining glitter back into its designated bottle. You can purchase paper trays for this use at craft stores, but it’s very simple to make your own!

Click on the PDF file to download the printable template and print to cardstock. Reduce the size of the template if you’d like smaller trays. You can also digitally add images to the template before printing, or use the template to trace onto other surfaces to make unique trays such as:

•    Cereal and food boxes
•    Scrapbook cardstock
•    Decorative file folder
•    Vintage LP album covers
•    Greeting cards
•    Product packaging

Paper trays have so many uses, here are just a few:

•    Spare change catch
•    Key drop trays
•    Photo organizers
•    Craft supply trays
•    Craft glitter and glue trays
•    Snack baskets when lined with food-safe paper
•    Candy dish for wrapped candies
•    Hair clip holders
•    Junk drawer organizers
•    Desk supplies

Directions

1.    Once the template is printed on cardstock, trim along the solid lines and fold all flaps along the dashed lines.

2.    Lay onto another cardstock surface and trace, lifting and folding back when necessary to trace all solid lines and fold areas.

3.    Trim out cardstock along traced lines; fold all flaps and glue or tape smallest flaps to the outside of the tray.

I traced my first template onto a piece of two-sided scrapbook cardstock from Jenni Bowlin’s JBS Mercantile. I will use it at my desk to hold trinkets that tend to gather around my keyboard while I work.

Please share your ideas for using paper trays below!