Custom Packaging FAQ and Glossary

This is the single place to get clear answers about custom packaging and to look up any packaging term in plain English. Every answer is short, accurate, and complete, so you can make a confident decision. We are a US maker with no minimum order, free design, free samples, and 25 percent off your first order. When you are ready for an exact price on your real specification, request a free quote.

Custom packaging frequently asked questions

Ordering and minimums

What is the minimum order for custom packaging?

There is no minimum order at The Best Price Boxes. You can order the quantity you actually need, from a small first run to large production volumes, and the unit price falls as the quantity rises.

How long does custom packaging take to make?

Production typically takes about 10 to 14 business days after your artwork is approved, depending on the product and options. Tell us your deadline and we will confirm the timeline for your specific order.

Do you make packaging in the USA?

Yes. The Best Price Boxes produces custom packaging in the USA.

Can I get a discount on my first order?

Yes. New customers get 25 percent off the first order, and we also price match, so you get a competitive price.

Can I order a small quantity to test a design first?

Yes. Because there is no minimum order, you can order a small run to test your design and packaging before committing to a larger quantity.

How do I get a price?

Packaging price depends on your structure, size, material, printing, finishes, and quantity, so the accurate way to price your project is a free quote on your exact specification. Send us the details and we will quote it.

Design and artwork

Do you help with design?

Yes. Design services are free. Our team helps turn your idea or existing artwork into a print ready design at no cost.

Can I see my design before it prints?

Yes. We provide a free 3D mockup so you can see your artwork on the real box shape before you approve production.

Can I get samples before ordering?

Yes. Free samples are available so you can feel the material, structure, and finish before you commit.

What file formats do you accept for artwork?

Send your artwork and our design team will work with it and prepare a print ready file. If you are not sure what you have, send it anyway and we will guide you.

What is a dieline and do I need one?

A dieline is the flat template that shows where the box is cut and folded. You do not need to create one yourself. Our team provides the correct dieline so your artwork lines up with the finished structure.

Materials and structure

What is the difference between corrugated and folding carton?

Corrugated board has a fluted inner layer that adds strength and cushioning, so it is used for shipping and heavier or fragile products. Folding carton is a single layer paperboard that folds flat and prints crisply, so it is used for lighter retail products. Choose corrugated when the box must survive shipping and folding carton when it sits on a shelf.

What is a rigid box?

A rigid box is a sturdy, non folding box made from thick chipboard wrapped in printed paper. It does not collapse flat and it feels premium in the hand, which is why it is used for luxury goods, gifts, electronics, and high end retail.

What is a mailer box?

A mailer box is a one piece corrugated box with self locking flaps that folds together without tape. It is popular for ecommerce because it ships flat, assembles quickly, protects the product, and gives a strong branded unboxing experience.

What is kraft packaging?

Kraft is a natural brown paper or board known for a strong, eco friendly, artisan look. It is popular with brands that want a natural or handmade feel and it still prints in color.

What is a mylar bag?

A mylar bag is a flexible pouch made with a metallized barrier film that protects contents from air, moisture, light, and odor. It is used for food, coffee, supplements, and other products that need a strong barrier and a printable surface.

Can I get a custom size?

Yes. Custom sizing is a core service. Packaging is built to fit your product, which protects it better and often lowers shipping cost compared with a box that is too big.

Printing and finishes

What is the difference between matte and gloss finish?

Matte lamination gives a soft, modern, premium feel and reduces glare. Gloss lamination gives a bright, vivid, high shine look that makes colors pop. Matte suits understated and luxury brands, and gloss suits bold, colorful brands.

What is the difference between digital and offset printing?

Digital printing sends artwork straight to the press with no plates, which suits smaller runs, faster turnaround, and design tests. Offset printing uses plates and is efficient at large volumes with precise color control. The right method depends mostly on your quantity and color needs, and our team selects it for you.

What is spot UV?

Spot UV is a glossy coating applied to a specific area, such as a logo, so that detail shines against the rest of the box. It is a common way to add a premium accent.

What is foil stamping?

Foil stamping presses a thin metallic foil, often gold or silver, onto the packaging for a shiny, premium detail. It is popular on luxury boxes and logos.

What is embossing and debossing?

Embossing raises a design so it stands up from the surface, and debossing presses a design down into the surface. Both add a tactile, premium feel without ink.

Can you match my exact brand color?

Yes. Tell us your brand colors and we will match them as closely as the print method allows. Offset printing supports precise color matching at volume.

Shipping, protection, and inserts

Will my product be protected in shipping?

Yes, when the packaging is chosen correctly. A right sized box, the right board strength, and inserts where needed protect the product and reduce damage. Tell us how the product ships and we will build in the right protection.

What is an insert and do I need one?

An insert is a piece inside the box, such as foam, a cardboard divider, or a molded tray, that holds the product in place. You need one if the product is fragile or if you want a premium, organized unboxing experience.

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes. Free shipping is one of our standard offers.

What is dimensional weight and why does box size matter?

Carriers often charge based on the larger of actual weight or the box dimensions, called dimensional weight. A box that is too big can cost more to ship and lets the product move around. A right sized custom box protects better and can lower shipping cost.

Sustainability

Do you offer eco friendly packaging?

Yes. We offer recyclable and eco minded options such as kraft materials and recyclable corrugated and paperboard. Tell us your sustainability goals and we will recommend options that fit.

Is corrugated packaging recyclable?

Corrugated cardboard is widely recyclable through common paper and cardboard recycling streams. Certain coatings or laminates can affect recyclability, so ask our team if recyclability is a priority for your project.

What makes packaging more sustainable?

Choices that help include recyclable materials, recycled content, right sizing to reduce material and shipping, and simpler finishes. A right sized box that uses less material and less void fill is one of the easiest sustainability wins.

Cost

Why do you not list fixed prices?

Because packaging price depends on your exact structure, size, material, printing, finishes, and quantity. A quote on your real specification is accurate, while a generic price would mislead. Send us your project for a free quote.

What drives the cost of custom packaging?

The main drivers are the box structure and size, the material and its thickness or barrier, the printing, the finishes and add ons like foil or spot UV, and the quantity. Unit cost falls as volume rises.

How can I keep custom packaging affordable?

Right size the box to the product, choose the finishes that genuinely help your brand rather than every option, use the free design help so artwork is right the first time, and take advantage of no minimum ordering, price matching, and the 25 percent first order discount.

Is custom packaging worth it for a small business?

Often yes. A well fitted, branded box protects the product, lowers damage and returns, and builds recognition, and with no minimum order a small business can access it without overbuying.

Packaging glossary

Plain English definitions of the terms you meet when you order packaging. Each definition stands alone.

Structures and box styles

Mailer box

a one piece corrugated box with self locking flaps that folds together without tape, popular for ecommerce and branded unboxing.

Shipping box

a corrugated box built for stacking strength and transit protection, used to ship products safely through the mail and freight.

Rigid box

a sturdy, non collapsing box made from thick chipboard wrapped in printed paper, known for a premium feel and used for luxury and gift packaging.

Folding carton

a single layer paperboard box that folds flat for storage and prints crisply, used for lighter retail products.

Tuck top box

a folding carton that closes with tuck flaps at the top, and sometimes bottom, common for retail products.

Seal end box

a folding carton with ends that are glued and sealed, giving a secure, clean closure often used for consumer goods.

Auto bottom box

a box with a pre glued bottom that snaps into shape when opened, saving assembly time while holding heavier products.

Gable box

a box with a folded top and a built in handle shaped like a house gable, popular for gifts and food to go.

Sleeve

an open ended wrap that slides over a tray or box to add branding and hold the pack together.

Two piece box

a rigid box with a separate base and lid, a classic premium structure for gifts and luxury goods.

Magnetic closure box

a rigid box whose lid closes with hidden magnets for a satisfying, premium open and close.

Drawer box

a rigid box with a sliding inner tray, like a matchbox, that creates a refined reveal.

Pillow box

a small curved box shaped like a pillow, used for small gifts, jewelry, and accessories.

Materials

Corrugated board

paperboard with a fluted inner layer between flat liners, giving strength and cushioning for shipping and heavier products.

Paperboard

a single layer board, thicker than paper, used for folding cartons and lighter retail packaging.

Chipboard

a dense, rigid board used as the structural base of rigid boxes before it is wrapped in printed paper.

Kraft

a strong natural brown paper or board with an eco friendly, artisan look that still prints in color.

Mylar

a metallized barrier film used to make pouches that block air, moisture, light, and odor, common for food and coffee.

Barrier film

any packaging material engineered to slow the passage of air, moisture, or light to protect the contents.

Printing and finishes

Digital printing

printing straight from a digital file with no plates, efficient for smaller runs, fast turnaround, and variable designs.

Offset printing

plate based printing that is efficient at high volumes and gives precise, consistent color control.

Full color printing

printing that reproduces full color artwork and photography on the packaging.

Matte lamination

a finish that gives a soft, low glare, premium surface.

Gloss lamination

a finish that gives a bright, high shine surface that makes colors pop.

Spot UV

a glossy coating applied to a specific area, such as a logo, so it stands out against the surrounding surface.

Foil stamping

pressing a thin metallic foil, often gold or silver, onto the packaging for a premium shiny detail.

Embossing

raising a design so it stands up from the surface for a tactile effect.

Debossing

pressing a design down into the surface for a tactile, recessed effect.

Soft touch finish

a coating that gives a smooth, velvety feel associated with premium packaging.

Production and technical terms

Dieline

the flat template that maps where a box is cut, creased, and folded, used to align artwork with the finished structure.

Insert

a piece inside the box, such as foam, a divider, or a molded tray, that holds and protects the product.

Void fill

material added to fill empty space in a box, which a right sized custom box reduces or eliminates.

Lead time

the time from artwork approval to finished product, typically about 10 to 14 business days for custom packaging here.

Proof

a preview of the artwork, including a free 3D mockup, that you approve before production begins.

Mockup

a visual representation, often a free 3D render, showing your artwork on the real box shape before printing.

Minimum order quantity

the smallest quantity a supplier will produce. At The Best Price Boxes there is no minimum order.

Dimensional weight

a shipping charge based on box dimensions rather than actual weight, which right sizing the box helps control.

Brand and marketing terms

Unboxing experience

the moment a customer opens a package, which custom printing, inserts, and structure turn into a memorable brand experience.

Shelf presence

how well packaging stands out and attracts attention on a retail shelf.

Sustainable packaging

packaging designed to reduce environmental impact through recyclable or recycled materials, right sizing, and simpler finishes.

Right sizing

choosing a box sized to the product to improve protection, cut void fill, and often lower shipping cost.

Ready to start your packaging

Tell us your product and idea and we will handle the rest, from a free print ready design and a free 3D mockup to free samples. There is no minimum order and your first order is 25 percent off. Request your free quote and our team will confirm your exact box at no cost.

Deciding between options? See our guide to choosing the right custom packaging, with side by side comparison tables for custom vs stock, digital vs offset, matte vs gloss, and corrugated vs folding carton.