Folding Drawers Mini-Cabinet

A small components drawer using a flat box design that's folded for assembly. It makes a large array of small drawers.
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updated October 18, 2025

Description

PDF

I've been experimenting with designing and printing thin, foldable sheets and thought of creating a small drawer organizer with the idea.
Demo and assembly at https://youtu.be/KBI11ScuB-M

The folded drawers end up with these "wing" like features that brush up against the cabinet, creating a slightly extra resistance when pulling the drawers out. While it's not much, it's enough so that the drawers will resist slipping out on their own.

There are also notches in the cabinet that interfere with the edges of the middle layer of the wall folds:

  • When pushing the drawer all the way in, the last bit of push will often give a satisfying snap action and click sound.
  • When pulling the drawer slowly outward, interference will try to stop the drawer right before it's fully removed.

There's also something interesting going on with the handle, involving folding, where the handle can be cantilevered a long distance because its print direction is upward; thus, it doesn't have the same overhang concerns as a non-folded, modeled-in drawer handle.

Because this design features numerous small drawers and a folding assembly (approximately 1-2 minutes per drawer), it can require a substantial amount of assembly time.

Caveats and Warnings

Note that the term "resist" is used very specifically when discussing slipping and spilling, as opposed to being "spill proof". At a certain point, if the box is forcefully mishandled or if the contents inside are heavy enough, the interference and brush friction can give out - and the drawers can slip.

Printing

PLA or PETG. No supports needed. All models should already be oriented so that the correct side is lying on the print bed.

Print a cabinet, and some MiniTrays for the drawers. How many MiniTrays to print will depend on what type of cabinet is printed. Keep in mind that the more drawers you print, the more drawers you'll need to fold/assemble.

Print the MiniTray with 0.2mm layer height.

When releasing the print from the bed, pull from the handle. Ensure the trays are cooler than the glass-transition temperature of your filament before releasing.

Assembly

See video for example of assembly.

Drawers

The drawers are MiniTray model.
See folding instructions illustration.

Cabinet

When placing the drawers into the cabinet, note the notches in the cavity. The cabinet should be oriented so that the notches are closer to the floor than the ceiling.

Labels

The labels used in the image (and demo video) are provided as both PDF and SVG format. The SVG format is the same source file that they were authored from, in Inkscape.

If there are any issues with the resistor labels, let me know, and I will fix them. But I will not be taking on requests to make new labels.

The example (shown in gallery and demo video) uses vinyl labels, which are more expensive than paper labels, but have a better finish and adhesion.

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Model origin

The author marked this model as their own original creation.

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