Geometry & Template Lab
Generate precise templates, patterns, and cutting guides for paper crafts and packaging.
When the math becomes the artwork
Some crafts do not have a chemistry problem — they have a layout problem. A box template that is 2mm short on a glue tab will not close. Calligraphy without proper x-height and slant lines produces uneven letters no matter how good your hand is. A bookbinding project with the wrong spine width leaves the cover pulling away from the text block. Mat board margins that ignore optical center make otherwise beautiful framing look wrong without the viewer being able to say why.
What you'll find here
Four calculators focused on precision layout for paper, board, and template-driven work. The Box Template Creator generates die-cut patterns with fold lines, glue tabs, and downloadable SVG or PDF ready for a cutting machine or plotter. The Calligraphy Guideline Generator produces practice sheets with adjustable x-height, ascender/descender ratios, and slant angle — with presets for Italic, Foundational, Copperplate, and other scripts. The Spine Width Calculator handles the perennial bookbinding question, with a database of 20 common paper stocks plus a custom entry for anything unlisted. The Mat Board Margin Calculator handles picture framing math including the bottom-weighted convention gallerists use for a reason.
Output that is ready to use
Where practical, the tools produce printable output, not just numbers. Templates come out as SVG so you can send them straight to a Cricut, Silhouette, laser cutter, or vinyl plotter. Practice sheets come out as PDFs at the right physical dimensions when printed at 100%. Nothing here requires a subscription, an account, or a design app.
Tools in this lab
Box Template Creator
Generate custom box die-cut templates with fold lines, glue tabs, and downloadable SVG/PDF.
Calligraphy Guideline Generator
Generate custom calligraphy practice sheets with adjustable x-height, slant angle, and script presets. Download SVG or print-ready PDF.
Spine Width Calculator
Calculate book spine width from page count and paper stock. Supports 20 common papers with custom input for unlisted stocks.
Mat Board Margin Calculator
Calculate picture frame mat board margins with bottom-weight compensation. Given a frame, find margins — or given artwork, find the ideal frame size.