Rigid box
Rigid boxes
Two-piece lid and base boxes in wrapped greyboard. The box people keep on a shelf.
Rigid board
Sleeve and drawer · Rigid board
Custom drawer boxes
Custom drawer boxes are two-part boxes: a tray that slides out of a printed sleeve. They're slower to open than a lid, which is the point. We make them in rigid board or paperboard, from 50 units per design.
- Over 30 years in print and packaging
- Free structural design
- From 50 units
- Plastic-free options
- Style
- Sleeve and tray
- Board
- Rigid or paperboard
- Best for
- Jewelry, chocolate, sets
- Minimum order
- 50 units
- Typical production window
- 10–12 days
- Paper-first materials
- 100% recyclable
- For structural design
- $0
Overview
What is a drawer box?
The slide has to be right. Too loose and the tray falls out when someone picks the box up. Too tight and it sticks. That fit comes from the dieline, which is why we draw it for you.
A drawer box, also called a sleeve and tray box, has an outer sleeve open at both ends and an inner tray that slides through it. You pull the tray out by a ribbon, a thumb notch or by pushing from the other end.
The sleeve carries the print. The tray can stay plain, carry a contrasting color, or hold an insert cut to the product.
- Sleeve. The printed outer. Open at both ends or one.
- Tray. The drawer. Holds the product or the insert.
- Pull. A ribbon tab, thumb notch or die-cut finger hole.
- Insert (optional). Paperboard cut to hold the product in place.
Specifications
Custom drawer boxes: specifications
Every box is drawn to your product, so these are the options, not a fixed catalogue. Your specialist confirms the exact spec on the proof.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Style | Sleeve and tray (drawer). Sleeve open one end or both |
| Board | Rigid greyboard with printed wrap, or folding paperboard |
| Sleeve outside and inside. Tray inside and out | |
| Inserts | Paperboard or foam, cut to the product |
| Add-ons | Ribbon pull, thumb notch, die-cut window in the sleeve |
| Size | Drawn to your product, with the slide fit set on the dieline |
| Recyclability | Paper builds recycle fully. Foam and laminated wraps don't |
| Minimum order | 50 units per design |
| Structural design | $0. We draw the dieline around your product |
| Proof | Digital proof on your dieline, checked for bleed, folds and barcodes |
| Production | 10–12 days on most orders, from proof approval. Shipping time is on top |
| Default finish | Aqueous coating on every box. Water-based, and it recycles with the box |
| Point of contact | One packaging specialist, from first sketch to delivery |
Board and build
Rigid or paperboard drawer?
Both slide. They feel very different in the hand.
| Build | Feel | Ships to you | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rigid drawer | Heavy, stiff, kept | Assembled | Jewelry, gifts, premium launches |
| Paperboard drawer | Light, crisp | Flat, folds up | Chocolate, cards, soap, retail |
A paperboard drawer costs less and ships flat. A rigid drawer is the one people keep in a drawer of their own.
Compare
Drawer box or lid and base?
Same premium feel, different opening.
| Drawer box | Lid and base | |
|---|---|---|
| Opens by | Sliding | Lifting |
| Reveal | Gradual, end first | All at once |
| Mostly on the sleeve | On the lid | |
| Best for | Small, flat or neatly arranged items | Taller items and gift sets |
Taller products usually suit a lid and base. See custom rigid boxes.
Sizing
Getting the slide right
Send the product's exact length, width and height, and tell us whether it sits in an insert. We set the gap between tray and sleeve on the dieline, so the drawer slides without dropping out.
Don't add clearance yourself. Structural design is $0, and we add it based on the board and the wrap. How to measure a box explains which side is which.
Who uses drawer boxes
- Jewelry brands. See custom jewelry boxes.
- Chocolate and confectionery. A tray of pieces revealed row by row.
- Stationery and cards. Flat sets in a shallow drawer.
- Candles and home fragrance. Small sets in a rigid drawer.
Finishes
Put the finish on the sleeve.
The sleeve is what people see. Most drawer boxes need one finish, not three. Foil or a deboss on the logo is usually enough.
Foil stamping
Logo on the sleeve.
Debossing
Pressed into a rigid sleeve.
Spot UV
Gloss pattern on a matte sleeve.
Quote
Get a quote for custom drawer boxes
One measurement and a quantity is enough to start. Your specialist replies with a structure, so you can see the box before you commit to anything.
How it works
Four steps, one person.
The specialist who picks up your first email stays with the project until the boxes arrive.
Step 01
Tell us what you're packing
Send the product dimensions, how it ships and how many you need. A photo on a ruler is enough to start.
Step 02
We draw the structure
Your packaging specialist builds the dieline around your product. Structural design is free.
Step 03
You approve the proof
Drop your artwork onto the dieline. We check bleed, folds and barcodes, and send a digital proof.
Step 04
We make and ship
Production takes 10–12 days on most orders. Boxes ship flat, packed in cartons, to your door.
FAQ
Custom drawer boxes: questions.
What is the minimum order for custom drawer boxes?
50 units per design.
How do you stop the drawer falling out?
By setting the fit between tray and sleeve on the dieline. We draw it based on the board and wrap, so the tray slides but doesn't drop.
Can a drawer box ship flat?
Paperboard drawer boxes ship flat and fold up. Rigid drawer boxes arrive assembled.
Can I print inside the tray?
Yes. The tray can be printed inside and out, or left plain in a contrasting color.
How long do custom drawer boxes take?
10–12 days on most orders, counted from proof approval. Shipping time is on top.
Honest fit
When not to hire us.
You need people to open it fast
A drawer is deliberately slow. For products that get opened and used straight away, a tuck carton is easier.
You need fewer than 50 boxes
Our minimum is 50 units. For 10 or 20, a stock box with a printed sticker will cost you less.
You need boxes next week
Production runs 10–12 days before shipping. If your launch is sooner, buy stock boxes now and switch to custom for the next run.
You want plain brown boxes
If nothing gets printed, a stock box supplier is cheaper and faster. We're worth it once the box carries your brand.
What slides out of the drawer?
Send the product size and whether you want rigid or paperboard. We'll draw the sleeve and tray and send a proof.
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