Material
SBS board
White, smooth board. Common for cosmetics and food cartons where vivid print and crisp detail matter.
Guide
Four box styles,
Four box styles,
one right choice.
The structure of a box decides how it protects, how it opens and what it costs. Here is how the four styles in our designer are built and when each one makes sense.
01 · ECMA A20 / A60
Design this box
Tuck-end carton
Made from a single piece of board; the top and bottom close with tuck flaps. The most common shelf carton.
In reverse tuck end (RTE) the flaps open in opposite directions and nest economically on the sheet. In straight tuck end (STE) both flaps hinge from the back, leaving the front uninterrupted. The box ships flat with its side seam glued and is folded into shape in use.
- Material
- SBS, duplex or kraft board
- Typical use
- Cosmetics, fragrance, supplements, tea, small electronics
Strengths
- Economical and quick to produce
- Ships flat, saves storage space
- All panels can be printed and finished
Keep in mind
- Heavy products may need a lock-bottom base
- Consider an insert if the product moves inside
02 · FEFCO 0427
Design this box
Mailer box
A one-piece, glue-free mailer in micro-flute board with locking tabs. The standard for e-commerce and subscriptions.
The side walls are double-folded; the tabs on the front wall lock into slots in the base. The lid closes with a tuck that folds over the front wall. No glue or tape is needed to assemble it.
- Material
- E or F micro-flute, white or kraft
- Typical use
- Online orders, subscription boxes, gift sets, apparel
Strengths
- Strong enough for shipping
- Can be printed inside for a strong unboxing
- Fast, glue-free assembly
Keep in mind
- Flute type and thickness matter at larger sizes
- Very heavy products suit a corrugated carton better
03 · FEFCO 0201
Design this box
Shipping carton
The standard corrugated carton whose four flaps meet in the middle. For shipping, storage and bulk dispatch.
The body is cut in one piece and glued at the side seam. The four flaps at top and bottom are folded and taped shut; the long flaps meet in the middle.
- Material
- B, C or BC double-wall corrugated board
- Typical use
- Shipping and storage, bulk dispatch, outer cartons
Strengths
- One of the most economical structures
- High stacking and transport strength
- Flexible in size
Keep in mind
- Needs tape to close
- Usually printed simply; for rich graphics a mailer box suits better
04
Design this box
Rigid lid & base box
A non-folding lid-and-base box made by wrapping thick board in paper. For prestige and longevity.
The base and lid are built from board and then wrapped in printed or textured paper that folds over the edges to the inside. The lid depth shapes the look: a full-depth lid feels classic, a shallow lid contemporary.
- Material
- 1.5–2 mm board wrapped in coated or textured paper
- Typical use
- Jewellery and watches, premium cosmetics, gift sets, electronics
Strengths
- Sturdy and prestigious
- Kept for a long time, keeping the brand alive
- Can be enriched with magnets and inserts
Keep in mind
- Does not ship flat — more storage and freight volume
- Higher unit cost than folding cartons
At a glance
Comparison
| Box style | Material | Strength | Presentation | Relative cost | Ships flat | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuck-end carton | Board | Medium | Good | Low | Yes | Design |
| Mailer box | Micro-flute | High | Very good | Medium | Yes | Design |
| Shipping carton | Corrugated | Very high | Plain | Low | Yes | Design |
| Rigid lid & base box | Wrapped board | High | Premium | High | No | Design |
Costs are relative to each other and depend on size, quantity and finishes; your quote gives the exact figure.
Materials & finishes
What your box can be made of
We help you choose the board and finishes that suit your product, budget and brand — and say plainly when a finish is not worth its cost.
Material
Duplex board
Board with a white front and grey back. A more economical option; the inside of the box looks grey.
Material
Kraft board
A natural brown look. Printed colours appear darker and warmer on kraft.
Material
Micro-flute (E / F)
A thin fluted board, light but strong. Ideal for mailer boxes and can be printed inside.
Material
Corrugated board (B / C)
Thicker fluted board for shipping cartons, with higher stacking and transport strength.
Material
Wrapped rigid board
Rigid boxes made by wrapping thick board in coated or textured paper. Prestigious and long-lasting.
Finish
Matt / gloss lamination
A thin film over the print protects the surface. Matt looks calmer, gloss more vivid.
Finish
Soft-touch lamination
Gives a velvety, silky feel. A favourite for premium cosmetics and gift boxes.
Finish
Spot UV varnish
Gloss varnish only on chosen areas, making a logo or pattern stand out on a matt base.
Finish
Hot foil
Gold, silver or coloured metallic foil transferred with heat. Striking on logos and fine detail.
Finish
Embossing & debossing
Embossing raises the surface, debossing presses it in, adding depth you can feel.
Finish
Acetate window
A cut-out window covered with clear acetate shows the product without opening the box.