This is a cardboard shadow box with LED backlighting.
The box itself is made of 110lb cardstock. The text is printed on a laser printer, and then the stock is cut on a laser cutter, from the other side. The score lines are cut at low power to help with the folding.
Since the printing and cutting are on the opposite sides, it can be tricky to align them. One way is to print a small marker in the corner, then use a needle to punch a small hole through the paper. Then use that hole from the other side to align the laser.
The image layers are made of heavier printer paper (28-30lb). It needs to be stiff enough to hold its shape yet let some light through. The layers are separated by spacers made from a 4-5mm thick cardboard.
The final piece is the back plate with the LEDs and the batteries. The battery holder is secured to the cardboard with hot glue. Two CR2032 batteries should provide 5-6V of power, enough for the 5V LED strips.
Make it
Download the SVG files for the different pieces: shadow_box.zip
Here are the supplies you’ll need:
* LED strip: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01G572CAW
* Coin battery holder with on/off switch: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074FZYCKP
* Cardstock for the box: https://www.staples.com/staples-colored-card-stock-8-5-x-11-assorted-100-sheets-pack-14821/product_679478
* White paper for the layers
* Cardboard for the spacers and the back plate
Customize it
Pick a theme and make your own box, your imagination is the limit. Use more layers, use colored LEDs, add a blinking device.
Here’s one example, for the Hitchcock lovers
