Box Designer Tools for Laser Cutting

BoxDesigner is another powerful tool for creating laser-cut box templates — and it almost rivals Boxes.py in terms of flexibility. It was specifically developed for generating accurate laser-cutting templates and comes with a large collection of ready-made project types.

From small wooden boxes to treasure chests and even functional parts like gears or inserts, BoxDesigner offers nearly everything you might need for laser-cut projects. The interface is straightforward: you define dimensions, wall thickness, and optional lid or divider options, then the tool instantly generates a preview of the layout.

Once configured, you can export the finished design as SVG, DXF, or PDF, ready for cutting on your preferred machine.

It’s a practical and well-thought-out tool — not flashy, but clearly made by someone who knows what makers actually need when preparing files for a laser cutter.

Boxes.py is a free, open-source Python-based generator and library for laser-cut boxes and many more related shapes. You’ll find not only simple rectangular boxes, but also types with rounded corners, living hinges, drawers, shelves, or even chests with twist-lids. 

You can use it via the online web-interface or install it locally (it’s licensed under GPL v3+).  Because it’s a full library, you also get access to the API (in Python) so you can build your own generator types if you’re comfortable with coding. 

In practical terms, the workflow is: pick a generator (say “RoundedBox” or “SlidingLidBox”), supply dimensions and material thickness, adjust fit-parameters (kerf/blow-cut compensation), choose your joint types or hinge types, then export the design. Supported export formats include SVG, DXF, GCODE, PDF, PLT, PS. 

From personal experience (and community feedback), here’s what stands out: The sheer variety of built-in box types is impressive — it goes well beyond “just a box”. Because it’s so feature-rich, the learning curve is steeper than simpler web tools. Some options and parameters can be opaque at first.  If you’re okay diving into parameters (or already comfortable with Python), you’ll appreciate the flexibility — you can fine-tune kerf, slot widths, hinge types, internal dividers, and more. For designers who just want “quick press-fit box in 5 minutes”, it might feel heavy; but for makers who want deeper control or custom shapes, it’s a strong choice.

MakerCase is a free browser-based web tool for designing custom laser-cut (or CNC) wooden boxes. You enter the desired outer dimensions and material thickness, and MakerCase instantly generates a rotatable 3D model so you can preview how your box will look.

It supports different joint types (flat edges, finger joints, or other connections) and allows you to adjust for kerf (cut width) so that the parts will fit together snugly after cutting.

Once you’re satisfied with the design, MakerCase outputs the flattened cutting plan as an SVG or DXF file that you can feed directly into your laser cutter or CNC router.

In my experience, the simplicity makes it especially useful if you want to experiment quickly, check how your material thickness affects the final box, and avoid surprises when you send the job to the cutter.

TemplateMaker is a versatile online generator for creating customizable templates for paper boxes and packaging. Unlike most other box generators that focus on wood or acrylic materials, this one is designed for papercraft — perfect for packaging, cards, and decorative boxes.

The website offers a wide range of box styles, from simple cubes and envelopes to pillow boxes, cones, and polygonal gift boxes. You can adjust all relevant parameters such as size, flap style, and glue tabs. A live preview shows how your template will look before downloading.

Most designs are available for free under a Creative Commons license, while some premium templates are available for purchase. Once your template is ready, you can download it in PDF, SVG, or DXF format, ready for printing, cutting, or laser-cutting.

TemplateMaker is created and maintained by Johan Rensink, who continuously expands the collection and refines the usability. It’s a lightweight, browser-based tool that’s especially useful for anyone designing packaging or working with paper-based laser projects.

Another neat little tool for creating laser-cut box files. The interface isn’t the prettiest, but it does its job remarkably well. Thanks to the live drawing preview, you can immediately see how your box design will look before downloading the file.

You can choose between several box types, such as open or closed boxes, and even boxes with angled sides. The tool also supports adding internal dividers, making it useful for creating compartment boxes or organizers.

Once you’re happy with the setup, you can download the resulting file in DXF format — ready to send to your laser cutter.

It’s simple, lightweight, and runs directly in the browser — perfect if you just want to generate a quick box design without dealing with complex software.