DIY Light Box

Well this was quite the process, I think I drove my husband crazy with this little project, but good news is that I have hopefully worked out any kinks, which will make the project all the more easier for you! 

Prototype 1 -

I felt like I had the perfect thing for a light box, it was a wooden box with a slide plexi-glass top, I coated the plexi glass with white contact and went and bought a light…but it was too thick.  So I returned it and got a different light…they fit, but were too close to the plexi- glass surface, so basically I determined the wood box was not DEEP enough.  This COULD have worked if it was about twice as deep as it was.

Prototype 2 -

I decided to try out another container I already had – a plastic shoe box.  I lined the bottom with white contact paper, and cut black paper to line the sides, and placed aluminum foil in the lid (for the bottom) with the lights on top.  This worked well, but the working surface was so small.  I may still use this one, but I really wanted a larger surface area.

Prototype 3 -

I went to the store to find some Christmas lights on clearance to try out in Prototype 1, and they were all sold out.  I did find a larger, deeper plastic container on sale for $6 and picked it up.  I lined the top half with contact paper, and the bottom half with aluminum foil, and places the 3 pack of lights inside that  I had bought previously.  They were not bright enough…so I pulled out some Christmas lights I had, and they worked well, except that a large section was not lit. 

Prototype 4 – THE FINALIST

Using the same container, I purchased some frosting paint, and some black plastic spray paint.  I also purchased a long florescent light and some spray glue.  I removed the contact paper and aluminum foil that I had on it (as pictured above) and painted it (as pictured below). I mounted the new light on the side, and glued a piece of aluminum to the bottom.  I think I may add one more florescent light to the opposite side, but otherwise I’m very happy with the results!

I got my ideas and suggestions for materials to use with the light table from a variety of sources you can find them pinned on my Light Box board at pinterest.

Here is some of the great stuff I’ve ordered to work with on the table (I know I got a bit carried away)