How to DIY a Cinema Lightbox

I’m sure you have seen the cinema lightbox trend all over your social feeds for years now. After a thrifting trip, I took a few years back, I came across a lightbox for under $10. I had the opportunity to DIY this popular trend and wanted to share my DIY experience with you all. Read below to learn the history of cinema lightboxes and how to create your own for half the price.

History of Lightboxes

A lightbox, also known as a light tent or photo cube, is a display box that lights up behind objects to display messages. Common forms of lightboxes are x-rays of scans and advertisement and marketing messages. The most popular use for lightboxes is cinema lightboxes, commonly used for displaying film titles and showing times, or underneath restaurant signs highlighting their specials.

More recently, cinema lightboxes have been a trendy, quirky piece to add to your home as decoration. Cute and simple messages are displayed to greet visitors to make them laugh or feel more at home.

Materials

Here is what you’ll need to make your own cinema lightbox at home.

Lightbox – I found an old lightbox at Salvation Army. I believe it was used to view X-rays.

White paneling – This is how you will insert letters to create words and phrases onto your lightbox. Check your local home improvement store in the paneling section for this item. Be sure to measure the length of your lightbox to determine how much paneling you’ll need.

A hot glue gun or super glue - Hot glue is easier to use, but super glue will have a long-lasting hold.

A tape measure - Be sure to measure the dimensions of your lightbox to make sure you have enough paneling for the letters.

A pair of scissors - For cutting the paneling.

Cinema lightbox letters - These are what this DIY is based around. I found some cheap letters and characters on Amazon. I’m sure you can also find some at Marshall’s or Target if you do not want to shop online.

Before you begin this DIY, you will want to have the letters before starting on your lightbox. That way you know what size letters you'll have, making it easier to measure how far apart you want the paneling to be. Let's get started!

DIY Steps

Step 1: Measure out the right length of the paneling. With 16 feet of paneling, you should have enough to make 6 lines that are the same length. Be sure to double-check the length of your lightbox before gluing anything down. You'll need a piece of paneling for the top and bottom of each row: three for the top part and three for the bottom part. Here is a picture for better reference.

Step 2: Lay the lightbox flat so that you can lay the paneling out evenly and spaced correctly before gluing anything down. Use a letter to help you evenly measure out how far apart each panel should be.

Step 3: Once you know where each piece of paneling should be, hot glue them into place. You can use superglue for a stronger hold. I found it best to use hot glue first and then add super glue in areas where it needed an extra hold.

Step 4: Let it dry. Make sure to let it dry flat so gravity can do its thing.

Step 5: Add your favorite quote, and light that baby up!

A cinema lightbox is a fun decoration you can add to your home. Add an inviting message, a funny quote, or your wifi password to make your guests feel more at home.

Originally published here on. Updated and edited August 9th, 2021.