Rigid box · Rigid board

Custom telescoping boxes

A telescoping box is a two-piece box where a lid slides down over a base, like a telescope collapsing. It's also sold as a telescopic box or a two-piece box. We print it with your brand from 50 units per design, draw the structure for free, and production takes 10–12 days from proof approval.

Get a quote Email [email protected]

Over 30 years in print and packaging
Free structural design
From 50 units
Plastic-free options

Style: Lid slides over base
Board: Paperboard, corrugated or rigid
Best for: Gifts, apparel, parts

Best value starts at: 50 units
Typical production window: 10–12 days
Quote reply time: 12–24 hours
For structural design: $0

Overview

What is a telescoping box?

The catch is the fit. The lid has to slide on without sticking or falling off, and that depends on the board and the depth of the box. Send the size of what goes in and we set the clearance when we draw the dieline.

It has two parts, a base and a lid. The lid is slightly larger than the base, so it slides down over the outside. A shallow lid gives a lid-and-base box. A deep lid, nearly as tall as the base, gives the full telescoping look.

The same shape comes in paperboard for light products, corrugated for heavier ones and shipping, and wrapped rigid board for gifts. Pick the board by what the box has to do, then the shape follows.

Base. The tray that holds the product.
Lid. A slightly larger tray that slides down over the base.
Insert. Optional. Cut to hold each item in place.
Thumb notch. Optional. A cut that makes the lid easier to lift.

Specifications

Custom telescoping 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.

Custom telescoping boxes: what you can specify
Spec	Detail
Style	Two-piece. Shallow lid for a lid-and-base look, deep lid for a full telescoping fit
Board	Paperboard, corrugated or wrapped rigid board
Print	Outside and inside of both pieces
Inserts	Paperboard cut to the product
Add-ons	Thumb notch, ribbon pull, lining paper
Size	Drawn to your product
Ships to you	Corrugated and paperboard flat. Rigid assembled
Recyclability	Paper-based boards recycle. Laminated wraps and foam inserts don't
Order size	Best value from 50 units per design, because of logistics and shipping. Smaller orders can be considered
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 board for a telescoping box?

The shape is the same. The board decides cost, weight and how it ships.

Telescoping box boards
Board	Feels like	Best for
Paperboard	Light, printed carton	Lightweight retail products
Corrugated	Stiff, fluted	Heavier products and boxes that ship on their own
Rigid board	Heavy and wrapped	Gifts, keepsakes, premium products

Not sure which? Tell your specialist how the box ships and what it weighs.

Compare

Telescoping box or hinged lid?

Both are two-piece boxes. They open differently.

Telescoping box compared with a hinged-lid box
	Telescoping	Hinged lid
Opens by	Lifting the lid off	Swinging the lid on a hinge
Lid can get lost	Yes	No
Stackable	Yes, flat top	Yes
Best for	Gifts, apparel, sets	Boxes opened and closed often

For a hinged magnetic flap, see magnetic closure boxes. For a drawer, see sleeve and drawer boxes.

Sizing

Sizing a telescoping box

Send the product's length, width and height. Don't add clearance yourself. We add it when we draw the dieline, because the lid needs room to slide that depends on the board.

If you're unsure which side is which, read how to measure a box.

Who uses telescoping boxes

Apparel brands. A folded shirt in a deep-lid box. See custom apparel boxes.
Electronics. A charger in a tray with an insert. See custom electronics boxes.
Gift sets. A rigid telescoping box with a printed wrap. See custom gift boxes.
Shippers. A corrugated telescoping box for heavier products. See custom shipping boxes.

Finishes

One finish is usually enough.

Aqueous coating goes on every box by default. Add one more if the box is meant to be noticed.

Foil stamping

Metallic foil on the logo. It catches the light on the shelf.

Debossing

Pressed in, no ink. Works on kraft as well as white board.

Spot UV

Gloss on one area of a matte box. Good for a logo, bad for small text.

Aqueous coating

Water-based and on every box by default. It recycles with the box.

Quote

Get a quote for custom telescoping 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.

Fill in what you know. We reply in 12–24 hours. A product photo on a ruler is enough to start.

Box style

Inside dimensions of your product (length x width x height)

Not sure which side is which? How to measure a box.

Quantity per design

Best value starts at 50. Fewer? Enter the number and we'll consider it.

Finish

Artwork

Ship to (city, country)

Your name

Brand or company (optional)

Anything else (optional)

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 telescoping boxes: questions.

What is the minimum order for telescoping boxes?

Best value starts at 50 units per design, because of logistics and shipping. If you need fewer, tell us: we can consider smaller orders.

How long do telescoping boxes take?

10–12 days on most orders, counted from proof approval. Shipping time is on top and depends on where the boxes are going.

Do you charge for structural design?

No. Structural design is $0. We draw the dieline around your product, and you only pay once you order boxes.

What is the difference between a telescoping box and a two-piece box?

They're the same style. A telescoping box is the version where the lid is deep and slides over the base. Two-piece box is the general term.

Can a telescoping box ship on its own?

A corrugated one can. Paperboard and rigid versions should go in a mailer or shipping box.

Honest fit

When not to hire us.

The box needs to be opened and closed often

A telescoping lid can slide off in transit or get lost. For boxes opened daily, use a hinged-lid or magnetic closure box.

You only need a handful of boxes

Best value starts at 50 units, because of logistics and shipping. For 10 or 20 we can consider it, but the cost per box is higher and a stock box with a printed sticker may 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's length, width and height and how it ships, and we'll tell you the board.

Start a project

Popular boxes

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Rigid box

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Two-piece lid and base boxes in wrapped greyboard. The box people keep on a shelf.

Rigid board

Shipping box

Printed shipping boxes

Standard flap-top cartons with your logo on the outside. Built for heavier orders.

Corrugated