A custom drawer box is a two-part box with a printed sleeve and a sliding tray, used for gifts, jewelry, candles, chocolates and cosmetics. TBPB makes them to your dimensions with no minimum order, and we beat any written quote for the same specs.
How a drawer box is put together
The sleeve is a four-sided band, open at both ends, and the tray is an open-topped box that slides through it. In paperboard builds the tray is folded and glued from one sheet. In rigid builds the tray is a wrapped chipboard box. Because the sleeve carries most of the print, the tray can stay plain, be printed inside, or be lined in a contrast color so it shows when the drawer opens.
Getting the slide right
This is where drawer boxes go wrong. The sleeve opening has to be a touch larger than the outside of the tray, and board thickness counts on both parts. Too snug and the tray jams or scuffs the print; too loose and it rattles and falls out when the box tips. We set the tolerance on the dieline for your board, so you do not have to guess. Measure the product, tell us how much room you want around it, and we do the rest.
Paperboard or rigid
Paperboard around 18 to 24 pt is the practical choice for light items sold on a shelf or shipped inside another carton. Rigid chipboard feels heavier in the hand and holds a heavier product without bowing, which is why jewelry and premium gift sets usually go rigid. For a rigid option with a lift-off lid instead of a drawer, look at our white rigid gift boxes.
Print, finish and when to choose a different box
CMYK and Pantone matches both work. Matte aqueous coating is a safe default, soft-touch lamination adds a velvet feel, and foil or spot UV on the sleeve gives a single point of contrast. If your product is flat and does not need a reveal, a four corner gift box or a simple tuck top box costs less and ships flatter. Browse the wider retail packaging range if you are comparing styles.
Prototype before you commit
Drawer boxes reward a sample. The slide feel, the weight of the tray and the way the sleeve registers against the print are hard to judge from a drawing. Because TBPB has no minimum order, ordering one or two samples is a normal first step. Check that the product sits flat, that the thumb notch or ribbon pull is easy to find, and that the sleeve does not slip off when the box is lifted. If any of that is off, we adjust the dieline and you approve the revision before the full run.
Also decide early whether the sleeve is printed on the inside. A plain interior is fine for most retail packs, but a printed or colored inside shows each time the box is slid open, and it costs almost nothing extra to include on the dieline. Tell us your preference when you send the dimensions so the proof reflects it.
- Parts: printed sleeve and sliding tray
- Board: 18 to 24 pt paperboard or 1.5 to 3 mm rigid chipboard
- Opening: finger notch or ribbon pull
- Options: inserts, interior print, foil, embossing, spot UV
- Quantity: no minimum order
Send the product dimensions and the quantity you want, even if it is one, and TBPB will draw the dieline and quote it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a drawer box?
A drawer box has an outer sleeve and an inner tray that slides out, like a matchbox. It is popular for gifts, jewelry, candles and confectionery because opening it feels deliberate.
Is there a minimum order for custom drawer boxes?
No. TBPB has no minimum order, so you can order a single sample or a large run. Send your product dimensions and quantity and we will draw the dieline and quote it.
How much clearance should a drawer box have?
The tray needs to slide without jamming, but not rattle. We set the tolerance on the dieline based on your board thickness, so the fit is right. You only need to give us the product size and how much space you want around it.
Should I choose paperboard or rigid board?
Paperboard suits light products and shelf retail. Rigid chipboard suits heavier items and gift sets that people keep. If the box will be handled a lot, go rigid.
Can the tray be a different color from the sleeve?
Yes. The tray can be printed on the inside, lined in a contrast color or left plain. A colored tray reveals itself as the drawer opens, which is a cheap way to add interest.
Do you beat competitor quotes?
Yes. Bring a written quote for the same size, board, print and quantity, and TBPB will beat it.
More Custom Retail Packaging
See the full Custom Retail Packaging range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
