Compare Box Styles
Fifteen custom box styles compared side-by-side — MOQ, size range, price at MOQ, material, and best use case. Pick the structure that matches your product, shipping channel, and retail positioning, then request a free quote with your dimensions.
At-a-glance comparison
Standard turnaround is 7–10 business days from artwork approval across every style on this page, plus 2–5 business days for free contiguous-US shipping. No setup, die, or plate fees at any quantity.
| Style | Material | MOQ | Size range | Price at MOQ | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reverse Tuck-End Carton | SBS cardstock, kraft | 100 | 1×1×2 to 10×6×12 in | $0.60–$1.40 | Serums, droppers, lipsticks, supplements, small CPG |
| Straight Tuck-End Carton | SBS cardstock, kraft | 100 | 1×1×2 to 10×6×12 in | $0.60–$1.40 | Retail front-facing product, cosmetics, OTC |
| Auto-Bottom Carton | SBS cardstock, kraft | 100 | 2×2×3 to 12×8×14 in | $0.85–$2.20 | Heavier product, DTC fulfillment speed, bakery |
| Seal-End Carton | SBS cardstock, kraft | 100 | 2×2×3 to 10×6×12 in | $0.75–$1.80 | Tamper-evident retail, OTC, supplements |
| Sleeve Box | SBS cardstock, kraft (sleeve); card or rigid (tray) | 100 | 3×3×1 to 12×9×3 in | $1.20–$3.40 | Starter kits, bundles, PR mailers, holiday sets |
| Window Box | SBS cardstock + PET or PVC window film | 100 | 2×2×2 to 10×6×10 in | $0.90–$2.00 | Bath bombs, candles, bakery, color-forward retail |
| Pillow Box | SBS cardstock, kraft | 100 | 3×2×0.5 to 9×6×2 in | $0.60–$1.30 | Gift cards, jewelry, soap bars, small gifts |
| Gable Box | SBS cardstock, kraft | 100 | 4×4×4 to 9×6×9 in | $1.10–$2.80 | Party favors, bakery to-go, kids' meals, promo |
| Mailer Box (corrugated) | 32-ECT single-wall corrugated | 100 | 4×4×2 to 20×14×8 in | $0.90–$1.90 | DTC shipping under 2 lb, subscription boxes |
| Printed Mailer (full-color) | 32-ECT single-wall corrugated with CMYK liner | 100 | 4×4×2 to 20×14×8 in | $1.60–$3.80 | DTC brand launches, PR sends, repeat-order lift |
| Rigid Setup Box | Rigid chipboard with wrap sheet | 50 | 3×3×2 to 14×10×6 in | $3.20–$7.80 | Premium gift, luxury launches, electronics |
| Magnetic-Closure Rigid Box | Rigid chipboard with wrap sheet + magnet pair | 50 | 4×4×2 to 14×10×6 in | $3.80–$8.50 | Hero SKU launches, holiday limited editions |
| Drawer Box | Rigid chipboard (outer sleeve + sliding tray) | 50 | 3×3×1 to 10×6×4 in | $2.90–$6.80 | Jewelry, luxury confectionery, premium stationery |
| Telescoping Box (two-piece) | Cardstock or rigid chipboard (lid + base) | 100 (cardstock) / 50 (rigid) | 3×3×2 to 12×9×4 in | $1.40–$4.20 | Apparel, mid-premium gifting, retail sets |
| Business Card Box | SBS cardstock or rigid chipboard | 100 | 3.75×2.25×0.75 to 4×2.5×2 in | $0.70–$1.60 | Business cards, gift cards, small enclosures |
Prices are typical per-unit ranges at MOQ for small/medium sizes, excluding finish uplift. Larger quantities and simpler finishes land at the lower end; premium stocks and finish stacks (soft-touch + foil + emboss) land at the higher end. Request a quote with your exact spec for an exact number.
Each style, in one paragraph
Reverse Tuck-End Carton
The most-ordered folding carton in US retail — top and bottom flaps tuck in opposite directions, which saves board and keeps the price per unit the lowest of any printed box. Ships flat, assembles in seconds, prints beautifully.
Straight Tuck-End Carton
Both flaps tuck from the front, giving a clean front panel with no visible flap seam. Preferred when the front panel is the brand canvas (cosmetics, OTC). Costs the same as a reverse tuck.
Auto-Bottom Carton
The base pre-locks itself when you pop the box open — no taping or folding at pack-out. Costs a little more board than a tuck-end but saves significant time per order for brands shipping dozens of units a day.
Seal-End Carton
Top and bottom flaps are glued shut at the factory, so the box arrives sealed and the consumer breaks the seal on first use. Reads as tamper-evident on a retail shelf.
Sleeve Box
An outer printed sleeve slides over a tray or insert holding multiple SKUs. The sleeve is a full brand canvas; the tray stays simple. Standard structure for 3-step routines, discovery kits, and press sends.
Window Box
A die-cut window with a clear film lets customers see the product through the box. Highest-impact on retail shelves; skip for products that need maximum air protection or long transit.
Pillow Box
A curved-end carton that reads as a gift from the first glance. Lightest-weight box on this list, which keeps shipping cheap for very small SKUs.
Gable Box
A pitched-roof carton with an integrated carry handle on top. Equal parts function (carry) and brand expression (the handle makes it stand out).
Mailer Box (corrugated)
Die-cut from a single corrugated sheet that folds into a shipping box. Opens on top for a visible unboxing; the inside of the lid prints as a brand canvas.
Printed Mailer (full-color)
The mailer that makes the unboxing video work. Full-color print on the outside and inside the lid. Standard upgrade from a plain corrugated mailer when the unboxing is a brand asset.
Rigid Setup Box
A two-piece hard-walled box with a lid and base — the standard construction for luxury gifting (think iPhone, premium cosmetics, high-end spirits). Ships assembled, not flat.
Magnetic-Closure Rigid Box
A rigid book-style box with a hidden magnet pair that closes the lid with a satisfying snap. The unboxing moment TikTok and Reels content was invented for.
Drawer Box
A sliding inner tray fits inside a printed outer sleeve. The tactile pull-out opening is a mini unboxing on its own; often used for jewelry and chocolate.
Telescoping Box (two-piece)
A separate lid telescopes down over a base. Less expensive than a rigid magnetic but still reads as premium — the standard structure for apparel and mid-tier gift packaging.
Business Card Box
A compact two-piece box sized to standard US business-card decks. Also used for gift cards, loyalty cards, and premium note enclosures.
Finishes available across every style
| Finish | Cost impact | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Soft-touch lamination | +$0.10–$0.25/unit | Baseline premium hand-feel on any folding carton |
| Foil stamping (gold/silver/copper/holographic) | +$0.30–$0.70/unit | High-visibility brand mark on soft-touch or matte base |
| Embossing / debossing | +$0.25–$0.55/unit | Dimensional brand mark; pairs with foil in a combo die |
| Spot UV | +$0.15–$0.30/unit | Visual + tactile accent over a matte or soft-touch base |
| Pantone (PMS) spot matching | included | Locking a brand-critical color across every reorder |
| Window die-cut + film | +$0.10–$0.25/unit | Showing color-forward product; skip for air-sensitive items |
| Paperboard or EVA insert | +$0.20–$0.80/unit | Cradling fragile product (droppers, jars, electronics) |
What moves the per-unit price
Pricing is calculated from your exact specs, not off a rate card. The five factors that move the number up or down the most, in rough order:
- Quantity. Doubling the run typically drops per-unit cost 15–30%. The biggest single lever on cost.
- Material and board thickness. Rigid chipboard costs 3–5× what SBS cardstock costs at the same size. Corrugated sits between them.
- Size. Doubling the surface area of the box roughly doubles the material cost. Right-sizing to the product saves both material and dim-weight shipping.
- Finish stack. Soft-touch, foil, embossing, and spot UV each add $0.10–$0.70 per unit at 100. Stacking all four roughly doubles the base box cost.
- Print coverage. A full-bleed CMYK design costs more to ink than a 1- or 2-color print on kraft. On tight-margin SKUs, limiting print to 2 colors on kraft keeps cost down.
Common questions
Ready to pick a style? Request a free quote with your product dimensions and we'll come back inside one business day with pricing and a dieline.
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