Folding carton
Cosmetic boxes
Cartons sized to your bottle or jar, with room for ingredients and batch codes.
Paperboard
Folding carton · Paperboard
Custom lipstick boxes
Custom lipstick boxes are small paperboard cartons printed with your brand and cut to hold a lipstick tube, from 50 units per design. We draw the carton and insert around your tube for free, and production takes 10–12 days from proof approval.
- Over 30 years in print and packaging
- Free structural design
- From 50 units
- Plastic-free options
- Style
- Tuck-end carton
- Board
- Paperboard
- Best for
- Lipstick, lip gloss
- Minimum order
- 50 units
- Typical production window
- 10–12 days
- Paper-first materials
- 100% recyclable
- For structural design
- $0
Overview
What is a lipstick box?
A lipstick box is small, so every millimeter shows. The insert has to hold the tube still, and the print has to survive a handbag. If you sell lip gloss as well, send both sizes and we'll draw them together.
A lipstick box is a small folding carton with tuck flaps at each end. It arrives flat, folds in seconds and holds the tube in an insert. Paperboard takes full-color print edge to edge, so it suits a shelf.
Cosmetic packaging carries label rules. The FDA's cosmetics labeling guide covers what has to appear on the package, so check yours before printing.
- Carton. Tuck-end paperboard, printed edge to edge.
- Insert. Paperboard cradle that holds the tube.
- Panels. Front for the brand, back for ingredients and the shade.
- Finish. Usually one, on the logo.
Specifications
Custom lipstick 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 | Tuck-end folding carton, with insert |
| Board | White paperboard. Kraft on request |
| Edge to edge, one color to full color | |
| Inserts | Paperboard cradle cut to your tube |
| Add-ons | Die-cut window, hang tab |
| Size | Drawn to your tube |
| Ships to you | Flat |
| Recyclability | Paperboard recycles. Lamination, foil and window film add plastic or metal layers |
| 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
Which finish for a lipstick box?
Most lipstick boxes use white paperboard. Finish sets how it feels.
| Finish | Looks like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Aqueous coating | Plain, protective | Default on every box |
| Foil stamping | Metallic logo | Premium shades and gift sets |
| Spot UV | Glossy pattern on matte | Shelf appeal |
| Soft-touch | Velvet feel | Premium feel. Adds plastic |
Most boxes need one finish, not four. If plastic-free matters, skip soft-touch.
Compare
Lipstick box or cosmetic box?
Same carton family, different sizes.
| Lipstick box | Cosmetic box | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small, tube-sized | Larger, for bottles and jars |
| Insert | Tube cradle | Bottle or jar insert |
| Best for | Lipstick and gloss | Serums, creams, sets |
For serums, creams and sets, see custom cosmetic boxes.
Sizing
Sizing a lipstick box
Send the length and the widest point of your tube, with the cap on. For lip gloss, send the tube plus the wand. We add clearance when we draw the dieline.
Tubes are round, so the carton is measured around the widest point. How to measure a box covers the numbers.
Who uses custom lipstick boxes
- Beauty startups. 50 units is enough to test a shade.
- Indie cosmetic brands. Matching boxes across a line.
- Gift sets. A carton inside a custom gift box.
- Salons and boutiques. Private label shades.
Finishes
One finish, on the logo.
Aqueous coating goes on every box by default. Add one more where it will be noticed.
Foil stamping
One logo, one line.
Spot UV
A glossy logo on a matte front.
Debossing
Pressed in, no ink.
Quote
Get a quote for custom lipstick 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 lipstick boxes: questions.
What is the minimum order for custom lipstick boxes?
50 units per design. That's enough to test a box with real customers before a bigger run.
Do lipstick boxes need an insert?
Yes, a paperboard cradle holds the tube still. We draw it with the carton.
Can you make boxes for lip gloss?
Yes. Send the tube size with the wand and we draw the carton and insert.
What has to be printed on cosmetic packaging?
The FDA publishes a cosmetics labeling guide that covers it. Check your labels against it before you print.
Are lipstick boxes recyclable?
Paperboard is. Lamination, foil and window film add plastic or metal layers, so skip them if that matters.
How long do custom lipstick boxes take?
10–12 days on most orders, counted from proof approval. Shipping time is on top.
Honest fit
When not to hire us.
Your shade range keeps changing
A custom carton is drawn to one tube. If you're still choosing the tube, wait. If you need a few boxes, a stock box with a sticker will cost you less.
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 size is your tube?
Send the tube's length and widest point, or a photo of it on a ruler, and how many boxes you need.
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