Apparel gift boxes are cartons built to hold folded clothing flat, with enough depth to avoid creasing and enough presence to feel like a present. TBPB prints them custom with no minimum order, and a written quote for the same specifications gets beaten under our price-beat guarantee.
Fold the garment first, then size the box
Clothing boxes go wrong when they are sized to the garment as it hangs rather than as it folds. A tee folded the way you actually fold it for sale has a footprint and a stack height, and the box has to fit both. Measure the folded length, folded width and the thickness under light hand pressure, then add about 1/8 inch of clearance per side for a folding carton. A knitted jumper compresses differently from a cotton shirt, so fold the heaviest item you plan to sell and use that as the benchmark.
Depth deserves care. Too shallow and the lid bows; too deep and the garment slides around and arrives rumpled. If you also include tissue, a tag or a small accessory, count them in the stack height before you send us numbers.
Lid styles and what each does for the reveal
A two-piece lid-and-base carton gives the cleanest unboxing, because the lid lifts straight off. A tuck-top or one-piece carton is cheaper to assemble and ships flatter, which suits boutiques packing in volume. A sleeve over a plain tray adds a branded layer without extra print on the tray. For bigger jackets and coats, a longer carton with a thumb notch makes lifting easier.
If the gift is for a wedding party or a staff gift, wedding gift boxes and corporate gift boxes follow the same logic with different print finishes. For jewellery, scarves or small accessories alongside clothing, gift card boxes are a neat companion.
Board and print options
Folding carton paperboard in the 16 to 24 pt range holds a lid shape well on lighter garments. Kraft board gives an understated, natural look. For heavier items or a more formal gift, a rigid chipboard wrap of roughly 1.5 to 3 mm is sturdier, though it costs more to make and ships bulkier. Print can be CMYK or Pantone-matched with matte or gloss coating, soft-touch lamination, foil or embossing on the logo.
- Lid-and-base, tuck-top or one-piece folding cartons
- Sizes drawn to your folded garment, not a catalogue size
- Kraft, white or coloured paperboard, or rigid wrap on request
- CMYK, Pantone match, soft-touch, foil, spot UV, embossing
- Optional inside print, tissue-friendly depth, thumb notch
One more detail that gets overlooked is the inside of the lid. A printed interior, a pattern or a short message, costs little extra on a folding carton and changes the moment the box opens. Tissue paper in a brand colour does a similar job, and our custom tissue paper is printed to match the box. Fewer, bolder elements usually look better than a busy pattern across every surface.
Shipping apparel gift boxes
A paperboard gift box is a presentation layer, not a shipping container. Parcel carriers crush, scuff and wet corners. If the box goes direct to the customer, plan a shipper around it, or use our mailer boxes, which are corrugated and meant to travel.
To start, send the folded dimensions of your garment and your quantity, even if it is one. We will draw the dieline and return a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What size apparel gift box do I need for a folded shirt?
Fold the shirt the way you sell it, then measure its folded length, width and stack thickness. Add about 1/8 inch of clearance per side for a folding carton, and we draw the dieline to those exact numbers.
Is there a minimum order for custom apparel gift boxes?
No. TBPB has no minimum order, so you can order a single box to check the fit with a real garment, or many thousands for a collection launch. The dieline is drawn to your size either way.
Should I choose a lid-and-base box or a tuck-top?
Lid-and-base gives the cleanest reveal and suits gifts. Tuck-top cartons ship flatter and pack faster, which suits boutiques working in volume. Both can carry the same print, coatings and finishes.
Can the boxes be shipped directly to customers?
They can, but a paperboard gift box is not built for parcel handling. For direct shipping, pack it inside a corrugated shipper or choose a mailer box so the corners and printed surface survive transit.
What print finishes work well on apparel boxes?
Matte or gloss aqueous coating, soft-touch lamination, foil stamping and embossing all work on folding carton stock. Soft-touch with a foil logo is a common choice for a fashion brand that wants a premium feel.
Can you match a competitor quote?
Yes. Bring a written quote for the same size, board, print and quantity, and TBPB will beat it under our price-beat guarantee. Send the details and we will confirm what we can do.
More Custom Gift Boxes
See the full Custom Gift Boxes range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
