A cigarette carton is the outer paperboard box that holds a stack of cigarette packs, traditionally ten packs, for wholesale, distribution and counter display. TBPB prints custom cigarette cartons to your pack size and artwork with no minimum order, and we beat a written quote for the same specs.
What a carton has to do
A carton has two jobs that pull in different directions. It has to look right on a shelf behind a counter, with your brand clear at a glance. It also has to survive cases being stacked, tipped and moved around a warehouse, and to keep the packs inside from shifting or crushing. Most cartons are a tuck-end or a lock-end folding carton, closed by flaps that tuck into the body. The packs sit in a tight stack, so the inside dimensions control everything else.
Sizing from the pack up
Build the carton from the packs, not the other way round. Measure the finished pack in width, height and depth, decide how many packs go in a layer and how many layers, and add about 1/8 inch of total clearance so the stack slides in without binding. Too snug and the carton bulges on the sides; too loose and the packs rattle. If you have a sample pack, send it. We will measure the real thing and work out the dieline from there.
Paperboard and print finishes
Cartons are printed on folding carton paperboard, commonly 16 to 24 pt, and board stiffness is the main protection they have, so the heavier end is worth considering when cases will be stacked high. For the outside:
- CMYK or Pantone-matched printing for tight brand colors.
- Matte or gloss aqueous coating, soft-touch lamination for a quieter look.
- Foil stamping and embossing on logo areas.
- Spot UV for contrast against a matte background.
- Tuck-end or lock-end closure, with optional tear strip or thumb notch.
Matte laminated cartons scuff less in the case than gloss, which shows rubbing marks quickly. If your cartons will be handled a lot before reaching the customer, that is worth weighing.
Case packing and storage
Think about how cartons will be packed into shipping cases before you lock the size. A carton that is a few millimeters too tall can leave a gap in the case, and a gap lets the cartons slide and scuff. Tell us the case dimensions if you already have them, and we will work backwards so a whole number of cartons fills the case in each direction. Flat-shipped cartons also save warehouse space, because they arrive folded and are only erected at the filling stage.
Warnings, stamps and compliance
Health warnings, labeling and tax markings on tobacco packaging vary by product and jurisdiction and are changed from time to time. TBPB manufactures and prints from artwork you supply, and we leave clear the panels you specify. What must be printed, where, and in what size is your decision with your own regulatory adviser. Please confirm it before approving the proof.
Carton or single pack
If you are designing the individual pack, start with our paper cigarette boxes, then size the carton around them. Cigars have their own formats in cigar boxes. Browse the full cigarette boxes range for related structures.
To get a quote, send the pack dimensions and the quantity you need, even a single carton, and TBPB will draw the dieline.
Frequently asked questions
What is a cigarette carton?
A cigarette carton is the outer paperboard box that holds multiple packs, typically ten, for wholesale and counter display. It protects the packs in transit and presents the brand on a retailer shelf.
Is there a minimum order for custom cigarette cartons?
No. TBPB has no minimum order. You can order one carton as a sample to check the fit around your packs, or order a full run. The construction and print method are the same either way.
How do I size a carton for my packs?
Measure the finished pack in width, height and depth, decide the layout of packs per layer and number of layers, and add about 1/8 inch of total clearance. Send us a sample pack and we will measure it for the dieline.
What board thickness should I use?
Folding carton paperboard from about 16 to 24 pt is common. Choose the heavier end when cartons are stacked high in cases, because the board is the only protection the packs have against crushing.
Who handles health warnings and tax markings?
You do. Requirements differ by jurisdiction and change over time, so confirm them with your regulatory adviser. TBPB prints the artwork you supply and reserves the panels and sizes you specify.
Matte or gloss for cartons that get handled a lot?
Matte or soft-touch lamination resists visible scuffing better than gloss, which shows rub marks quickly in a case. Gloss gives stronger color if the carton is mostly displayed rather than handled.
More Cigarette Boxes
See the full Cigarette Boxes range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
