Decorating plain boxes for cigar box guitars with ChickenboneJohn

We sell these plain boxes with period-authentic reproduction cigar box labels that you can stick on by yourself. It sounds simple, and why do you need any instructions you might ask, but believe me, we've already made all the mistakes so that you don't need to! To get perfect results, watch the video, and you'll end up with something that you can be proud of. These boxes make up into great sounding guitars, that really look the part too.
Get yours here:
www.chickenbon...

[@HeyMJ.]

Thank you for sharing best practice instructions.. and the importance of keeping the box & image dry. It’s very much appreciated! 👍🏼

[@sixoffive]

Like your hat too.

[@ChickenboneJohn]

From Pink Dragon, Cat Street, Tokyo! It's a great rockabilly clothing store.

[@philipd4863]

Very nice looking box John

[@derekwheeler9166]

what good idea john

[@Chaplin835]

yeah yeah john bone greatting from sweden

[@Heather22056]

Thanks for the video and you did a great job 👍

[@noelrodriguez]

I am on the US and love the images , do you sell just them without the box ??

[@kevinsmith5890]

Boxes look great! Thanks for the decorating tips. Would you recommend any lacquer or finish over the top of the completed box inc the bare wood to give a bit of durability?

[@ChickenboneJohn]

Clear auto lacquer works well, but just very light mist coats, dusted on, otherwise the lacquer can soak in and go blotchy if you overload it and get it too wet.

[@johnaustin1825]

Your scalpel looked super efficient could you supply the make and where you purchased it please

[@ChickenboneJohn]

We use standard Swann-Morton scalpels and blades - the one I was using was a No. 26 blade in a No. 4 handle

[@johnaustin1825]

@@ChickenboneJohn Thanks

[@mmyers8817]

Great video, as are all the rest. Do you apply onto the raw box or do you seal the wood with anything?

[@ChickenboneJohn]

We glue straight onto the box, definitely recommend using the liquid hide glue, as it seems to have less moisture in it compared with regular Titebond. We are very sparing with the glue, rollering on just enough to get a thin tacky layer.

[@johnaustin1825]

Where do you get the strips. Where can I get them?

[@tylerjones7310]

Can I use google images for cigar boxes? Like patterns of hunter camo and or cigar box labels

[@ChickenboneJohn]

There's nothing stopping you printing pretty much anything and using it as decoration...apart from copyright!

[@dukeofearl4117]

can you spray lacquer on it when you are finished?

[@ChickenboneJohn]

Yes, we always recommend using a few very light mist coats. so as not to flood the surface.

[@doctorvox]

Is it worth giving it a coat of acrylic spray lacquer for protection?

[@dukeofearl4117]

If I print the top labels out on my printer and use photo paper. Will this paper work??

[@ChickenboneJohn]

You may have problem gluing them on using a water based glue, as the images will probably run and bleed as the paper absorbs water in the glue. You'd have to use something like spray glue, our do what we do for our make and play workshops, by printing the images on self adhesive paper.

[@Victorypickups]

A few thin coats of poly on the front and back of your label before glueing will solve any issues with bleeding and will make for a more permanent image. Mod podge glue is also a great alternative to glue.

[@johnaustin1825]

How much are your kits?

[@richardmurrell]

How do you clean up thar glue roller afterwards?

[@mrskint55]

Could you use water slide paper ?

[@ChickenboneJohn]

That's a completely different thing. We are going for reproducing the traditional style of paper covered cigar boxes. Waterslide transfer works best on a super smooth glossy finish , and a wooden box is not that at all. A whole A4 sheet would be difficult to get on without wrinkling or tearing it. Gluing on a sheet of paper is much easier!

[@mrskint55]

@@ChickenboneJohn many thanks for your reply

[@SleepingJoe.]

Cool look :-)

[@johnaustin1825]

Where do you get the labels?

[@ChickenboneJohn]

These are printed specially for us.

[@johnaustin1825]

@@ChickenboneJohn Many thanks - great videos

[@adammono1839]

Looks great. Did you try spray glue? Probably would be messier

[@ChickenboneJohn]

I don't like spray glue as it tends to penetrate the paper and leave marks. Also, in the long term I find that it dries out and looses adhesion.

[@TerrySnyderSOC]

Are you printing those pics? What kind of paper is that?

[@ChickenboneJohn]

We have them professionally printed onv135gramme satin stock paper.

[@TerrySnyderSOC]

@@ChickenboneJohn - Thanks! Now I'm trying to find boxes like those in the video. I think I'm going to have to build them myself.