Sleeve and drawer
Sleeve and drawer boxes
A drawer that slides out of a printed sleeve. Slower to open, which is the point.
Rigid board
Rigid box · Rigid board
Custom rigid boxes
Custom rigid boxes are made from thick greyboard wrapped in printed paper, usually as a separate lid and base. They don't fold flat, they don't bend, and people keep them. We make them from 50 units per design.
- Over 30 years in print and packaging
- Free structural design
- From 50 units
- Plastic-free options
- Style
- Lid and base
- Board
- Wrapped greyboard
- Best for
- Gifts, sets, premium
- Minimum order
- 50 units
- Typical production window
- 10–12 days
- Paper-first materials
- 100% recyclable
- For structural design
- $0
Overview
What is a rigid box?
That weight is the point and the cost. Rigid boxes ship assembled, so they take up more space getting to you, and they need a plain mailer around them in the post. Use one when the box has to justify the price of what's inside.
A rigid box, sometimes called a set-up box, is built from greyboard: dense, thick board that doesn't flex. The board is cut, assembled into a tray and lid, and wrapped in a printed or textured paper that folds over the edges.
Unlike a folding carton, it arrives already built. You open it, place the product in the insert and close the lid. Nothing to fold.
- Base. A tray of greyboard, wrapped inside and out.
- Lid. Full depth, or shallow so the base shows underneath.
- Wrap paper. Printed, colored or textured. It carries the look.
- Insert. Paperboard or foam, cut to hold the product in place.
Specifications
Custom rigid 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 | Two-piece lid and base. Other rigid styles: drawer, book-style, magnetic closure |
| Board | Greyboard, wrapped in printed or colored paper |
| On the wrap paper, outside and inside | |
| Inserts | Paperboard or foam, cut to the product |
| Add-ons | Ribbon pull, thumb cut-out, lining paper |
| Size | Drawn to your product and insert |
| Ships to you | Assembled, nested where sizes allow |
| Recyclability | Paper and greyboard recycle. Foam inserts and laminated wraps don't, so choose paper versions if that matters |
| 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 rigid style?
Rigid boxes come in a few builds. They differ in how they open.
| Style | Opens by | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Lid and base | Lifting the lid off | Gift sets, apparel, keepsakes |
| Shoulder box | Lifting a lid that rests on a raised neck | Fragrance, candles, a more formal reveal |
| Drawer | Sliding a tray out of a sleeve | Jewelry, chocolates. See custom drawer boxes |
| Book-style | Opening a hinged front cover | Sets, electronics, presentation boxes |
Each style can carry the same wrap and insert. Pick by how you want the box to open, then your specialist draws the rest.
Compare
Rigid box or folding carton?
Both sit well on a shelf. The difference is weight, cost and what happens after.
| Rigid box | Folding carton | |
|---|---|---|
| Board | Thick greyboard, wrapped | Single sheet of paperboard |
| Arrives | Assembled | Flat |
| Feel | Heavy and stiff | Light |
| After purchase | Kept and reused | Recycled |
| In the mail | Needs an outer mailer | Needs an outer mailer |
If the product is priced where the box needs to justify it, rigid is worth it. If not, a custom folding carton with one good finish does most of the job.
Sizing
Sizing a rigid box around the insert
With rigid boxes the insert sets the size, not the product alone. Measure the product, decide how much border you want around it, and we draw the insert and the box together.
Send the product's length, width and height, or a photo of it on a ruler. Don't add clearance yourself; we add it on the dieline for the board and the wrap.
Remember the outer mailer. A rigid box going by post needs one, so plan its size at the same time. How to measure a box covers the numbers.
Products that suit rigid boxes
- Jewelry and watches. See custom jewelry boxes.
- Candles in glass. See custom candle boxes.
- Electronics. See custom electronics boxes.
- Gift sets and launches. Several products presented together in one insert.
Finishes
One finish is enough on a rigid box.
The wrap paper already does most of the work. Most rigid boxes need one finish, not three: foil or a deboss on the logo is usually enough.
Foil stamping
The classic rigid-box logo. Gold, silver, copper or black.
Debossing
Pressed into the lid. Quiet and permanent.
Embossing
Raised, so it catches a thumb.
Soft-touch
A velvet wrap. It adds plastic, so skip it if you need plastic-free.
Quote
Get a quote for custom rigid 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 rigid boxes: questions.
What is the minimum order for custom rigid boxes?
50 units per design. Useful for launches and gift sets where you need a premium box without a huge run.
Do rigid boxes fold flat?
Standard lid-and-base rigid boxes don't. They arrive assembled, which takes more space in shipping and storage. Plan room for them.
Can a rigid box be mailed on its own?
We don't recommend it. Rigid boxes don't ship well bare, so plan a plain mailer around it.
Are rigid boxes recyclable?
The greyboard and paper wrap recycle as paper. Foam inserts and plastic laminations don't, so choose a paperboard insert and an unlaminated wrap if recycling matters.
How long do custom rigid boxes take?
10–12 days on most orders, counted from proof approval. Shipping time is on top.
Honest fit
When not to hire us.
The box gets thrown away
If customers bin the box straight away, rigid is money spent on something nobody keeps. A carton or mailer does the job for 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 goes in the box?
Send the product size and how you want it to open. We'll draw the box and insert and send a proof.
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