The Best Price Boxes makes custom half slotted boxes with no minimum order, and we beat any written quote for the same specs. A half slotted carton (HSC) is a corrugated box with flaps on one end only and the other end left open, built to take a separate cover.
What a half slotted box actually is
Take a regular slotted carton (RSC) and remove the flaps from one end. What is left is a tray-like body with a fully open face. Most buyers pair it with a telescoping cover that drops over the body like a lid, so the finished pack closes at the sides rather than with taped flaps. The open end also means a part can be lowered straight in, which is why tall, heavy, or oddly shaped items suit it better than a standard shipper.
Where it works, and where it does not
HSC boxes do well for machined parts, tools, bottles in dividers, framed items, and archive or file storage. A cover adds stacking strength because its walls overlap the body walls, so a stacked pallet loads onto double thickness at the edges. They are a poor choice for fine powders or anything that needs a tight seal, since there is no tape closure. If you ship single items to consumers, a mailer box or a standard shipping box will usually protect better and look cleaner on the doorstep.
How to size one
Measure the item, not the space you wish it had. Record length, width, and depth in that order, using inside dimensions, and add a small allowance for the cover and any padding. Heavier items need more clearance for dividers or custom inserts. If you are not sure, send us the part dimensions and the weight, and we will suggest a box size. Corrugated board is also typically specified by a flute type and an edge crush rating (ECT), so tell us the loaded weight and whether the boxes will be stacked.
Specs at a glance
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Minimum order | None |
| Style | Corrugated, one open end |
| Closure | Telescoping cover (separate piece) |
| Size | Custom inside dimensions |
| Board strength | Chosen by loaded weight and stacking |
| Printing | Ask us to confirm for your artwork |
Related styles worth comparing
If you want a box that closes by itself without a cover, look at bottom closure boxes, including auto-bottom and snap-lock bottom styles. For general shipping cartons in plain or printed form, see our custom corrugated boxes.
How to order
Send your inside dimensions, the quantity (even one), and your artwork or a rough idea of the print. We return a dieline and a quote. If you already have a price from another supplier for the same specs, send it along and we will beat it. Free design help, free samples, and free shipping are part of how we work. You can start on the request a quote page.
Questions buyers ask
What does HSC stand for in packaging?
HSC means half slotted carton. It is a corrugated box with flaps on one end and an open face on the other. It normally ships with a separate telescoping cover, though some buyers use the open end with a sheet or film instead.
Can I order just one custom half slotted box?
Yes. We have no minimum order, so one box for a prototype or a run of many is quoted the same way. Send your dimensions and quantity, and we will send a dieline and a quote you can review before anything is made.
Do half slotted boxes need a cover?
Not always, but most uses do. Without a cover the box is open to dust and stacking pressure lands on the walls alone. A telescoping cover closes the pack and adds overlapping wall strength, which matters for pallets.
How do I choose the right board strength?
Start from the loaded weight and how high the boxes will stack. Heavier or stacked loads need a higher edge crush rating or double-wall board. Tell us both numbers and we will recommend a grade.
Will you match a quote from another supplier?
Yes. Send a written quote for the same size, board, quantity, and print, and we will beat it. That is the whole idea behind the name.