The round and oval pieces of box-board for the tops and bottoms of the round and oval paper boxes are cut to the proper sizes and shapes by means of steel dies and a press. A steel die of the required size and shape is placed over about a dozen pieces of box-board. The die and stock are then placed under the head of the press; powerful pressure is applied, and the steel die cuts through the dozen or more pieces of box-board, cleanly cutting out the disks or ovals as the case may be. It is necessary, of course, to have a steel die for each size and shape desired. The manufacturers of small round and oval boxes have complete sets of steel dies, suitable to all the standard sizes of work, and these dies are kept in first-class condition so that they are always capable of doing sharp, clean cutting. Several different dies may be put under a large press at one time. The square or oblong pieces of box-board are cut to sizes to conform with the various sizes of dies so as to prevent as much wastage of stock as possible. A margin of about one-half of an inch, all-round, will do for the average die. Steel dies and die-presses can be furnished by any of the large manufacturers of paper box machinery.

OVAL SHOULDERED PILL BOXES WITH PROJECTING EDGES.

Oval shouldered pill boxes with projecting edges are made much in the same manner as round shouldered pill boxes with projecting edges, with the exception that oval forms are used for properly shaping the boxes and their lids.

The forms for the oval boxes are usually made of hard-wood, and they are accurately cut and smoothly finished so that the box and lid will fit nicely together. The covering is done while the box, or the lid, remains on the form. The regular rings, cut from the round tubes are used, and these round rings are easily placed over the oval forms. Extreme care must be exercised by the operator when applying the Round-work Glazed paper to the sides and projecting edges of the oval boxes and lids. The work of setting in the necks is comparatively simple.

Oval Shouldered Pill Box with Projecting Edge—Covered
with enameled paper, leaving four gold edges.

A particularly beautiful effect is obtained by first covering an oval shouldered pill box (projecting edges) with gold Round-work Glazed paper, and by then covering the sides with white, buff, pink or blue glazed paper. This leaves four gold edges. A striking color effect is obtained by first covering the box and lid with black paper, and then covering the sides with lavender glazed paper. Purple and gold make another pretty color scheme.

ROUND FACE POWDER BOXES WITH DOME TOPS.

Among the most popular face powder boxes are the round ones having domed tops. Boxes of this design also have projecting edges. Some are covered with fine, colored and embossed paper, leaving four gold edges; others are entirely covered with gold paper; others still have four white or gold edges and are finished with colored glazed paper.