Custom printed matchboxes and matchbooks are small branded packages for matches, used as giveaways on restaurant tables, bar counters, hotel desks and wedding favor trays. TBPB prints both formats to your artwork with no minimum order, and the price-beat guarantee applies to any written quote you bring for the same specs.
Matchbook or matchbox: pick by how it gets used
A matchbook is a folded card cover stapled around a row of paper matches, with a striker strip on the outside. It is flat, light and cheap to hand out, so it suits a host stand or a checkout counter where you give one to everybody. A matchbox is a small paperboard drawer that slides inside a printed sleeve, with the striker on the side. It costs more per piece and takes more room, but it looks like an object worth keeping, which is why candle brands, hotels and weddings choose it. If the piece has to be read from across a table, the box gives you more surface for your logo. If it has to fit in a pocket by the thousand, the book wins.
Artwork and the striker panel
The striker area is not printable. It is a rough strip, usually on the back of a matchbook or the side of a box, and the artwork has to be planned around it. Keep logos and small text clear of the strike surface. Dark, solid backgrounds with a single light logo read well at this size. Fine detail below a few points does not survive on small coated board, so test your artwork at actual size on screen before you send it. We set up the dieline with the strike panel marked so nothing prints in the wrong place.
Board, print and finishing
Matchbook covers are printed on paperboard, and matchbox sleeves and drawers use light paperboard that folds crisply. Common options:
- CMYK full-color print, or a Pantone match so the brand color is exact on every piece
- Matte or gloss aqueous coating on the sleeve or cover
- Foil stamping or embossing on the logo for a hotel or gift look
- Kraft board with one-color print for a natural, low-key style
- Custom sizes, if the standard dimensions do not suit your layout
What to check before you order
Matches are regulated products. Storage, shipping and sale of them can be restricted by carrier rules and by local law, and any warning copy printed on the pack is your responsibility. Confirm those requirements with your match supplier, your carrier and your own adviser before you place an order. We print the artwork you supply.
If you want a branded extra for a candle, see our custom candle boxes, where a matchbox often ships inside the box as a small gift. For bigger event kits, corporate gift boxes and promotion packaging hold matches along with other items. Send the size you need and a quantity, even if it is one, and we draw the dieline and quote it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order for custom matchboxes and matchbooks?
No. TBPB has no minimum order, so you can order a handful for a single event or a full run for a restaurant group. Send the format, size and quantity, and we draw the dieline and quote it.
What is the difference between a matchbook and a matchbox?
A matchbook is a folded printed card cover with a striker strip and paper matches. A matchbox is a paperboard drawer inside a printed sleeve with a striker on the side, and it holds wooden matches. The box has more print area.
Can I print on the striker strip?
No. The strike surface is a rough panel that has to stay clear for the match to light. We mark it on the dieline so your artwork stays away from it and your logo sits on the printable area.
Which finishes work on a matchbox?
Matte or gloss aqueous coating, foil stamping and embossing all work on the sleeve or cover. Foil on a logo is a popular choice for hotels, weddings and gift brands. We advise on what suits the artwork.
Are there shipping or legal rules for matches?
Yes. Matches can be regulated for shipping, storage and sale. Check carrier rules, local law and any warning copy requirements with your match supplier and your own adviser. We print the artwork you provide.
Do you match another supplier’s quote?
If you send a written quote for the same format, size, print and quantity, we 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:
