Custom eye drop boxes are small printed cartons sized to hold a dropper bottle, with room on the panels for the brand, directions and label copy you supply. TBPB makes them to your bottle dimensions with no minimum order, and if you bring a written quote for the same specs we will beat it.
Small box, lots of constraints
An eye drop carton looks simple, but it is one of the more demanding small cartons to design. The bottle is narrow and tall, the cap or dropper tip needs clearance, and the printed panels have to hold a lot of text in a very small area. Usually the carton must also hold a leaflet. That is why the dimensions come first, and the artwork second.
Which carton style
The straight tuck end carton is the most common choice for eye drops, since the opening sits at the end of the narrow bottle and the product slides straight in. Our straight tuck end boxes use exactly that construction. A reverse tuck end carton opens from the opposite side of the panel, which helps keep the front clean. If the drops are sold on a peg in a pharmacy aisle, a hang tab is the better fit, and our hang tab boxes add one. For broader pharmacy and over-the-counter lines see our medicine boxes.
Sizing around the bottle
Common dropper bottle sizes run from 5 ml through 10 ml, 15 ml and 30 ml, but the outside diameter and cap height vary between suppliers, so a size in millilitres alone is not enough. Measure the bottle at its widest point, the total height with the cap on, and add about 1/8 inch per side for a snug fit. If there is a leaflet, fold it and measure it too, or tell us its folded size and we allow for it. A loose bottle rattles; a very tight one scuffs when you load it.
Board, print and finish
Most eye drop cartons are made from folding carton paperboard in the 16 to 24 point range, printed in full-colour CMYK on a white surface. Small type needs a crisp print, so keep text clear of the folds and leave a safe margin. A matte or gloss aqueous coating protects against handling, and soft-touch lamination makes a pharmacy shelf item feel more considered. Foil stamping on the brand name works for premium or cosmetic-style lines, such as lubricating drops sold in beauty retail. Embossing and spot UV are available too.
- Styles: straight tuck end, reverse tuck end, hang tab, sleeve
- Board: folding carton paperboard, around 16 to 24 point
- Extras: leaflet space, hang tab, custom dieline
- Print: CMYK, Pantone match, matte or gloss coating, soft-touch, foil, spot UV
- Quantity: no minimum order, one sample is fine
Regulatory text is entirely your responsibility. Drug facts, warnings, dosage, expiry fields, lot numbers and any claims must follow the rules that apply to your product and market. TBPB prints the artwork you supply and does not review it for compliance, so confirm labelling and any packaging requirements with your own regulatory adviser before you order a run.
Next step
Send the bottle height and width with the cap on, the leaflet size if there is one, and a quantity (even one). We draw the dieline and quote it. The rest of our pharma packaging range is there if you are building a wider line.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum order for custom eye drop boxes?
There is no minimum order. You can order one sample carton to check the fit, or thousands for a full run. The price-beat guarantee covers any quantity.
What size box fits a 10 ml eye drop bottle?
It depends on the bottle, since diameter and cap height vary. Measure the bottle at its widest point and its full height, then add about 1/8 inch per side. Send those numbers and we draw the dieline.
Can an eye drop box hold a leaflet?
Yes. We size the carton so a folded leaflet fits alongside the bottle. Send the folded leaflet dimensions or a sample, because a thick leaflet changes the interior width.
What board is used for eye drop boxes?
Folding carton paperboard around 16 to 24 point is typical. It prints sharply, folds cleanly and can carry a matte or gloss coating. Heavier board is rarely needed for such a light product.
Does TBPB handle regulatory text on eye drop boxes?
No. We print the artwork you provide and do not check compliance. Labelling, warnings and any regulatory requirements are your responsibility, so confirm them with your own regulatory adviser.
Can eye drop boxes hang on a retail peg?
Yes. A hang tab can be added to the carton so it hangs on a peg or pegboard. Send us your display hook size and we position the hole correctly on the dieline.
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