Kraft die cut boxes are cartons cut from kraft board with a custom blade, so the box can have a window, a carry handle, a locking tab or an outline that is not a simple rectangle. TBPB makes them to your dimensions with no minimum order, and if you bring a written quote for the same specs, we will beat it.
What die cutting adds to a kraft box
Every folding carton is die cut in some sense, since a steel rule die cuts the flat blank and scores the folds. When people say a die cut box, they mean the cut itself is part of the design. A window shows the product through a hole. A handle punched into the lid turns a box into a carrier. A curved flap or a notched top makes a pack that sits in a retail display. Kraft is a good match because the fibrous board cuts cleanly and the natural brown colour suits cutouts that reveal what is inside.
Windows, handles and locking tabs: what to know
A window in kraft usually takes one of two forms: a bare hole, or a hole covered with a clear film patch. The bare hole is easier to recycle and gives a clean look, but dust and fingers get in. The patch protects the product. Keep a window at least a finger-width away from folds, or it can crack along the score. Handles need enough board around them to carry the load, so tell us what the filled box weighs. Locking tabs hold the box closed without glue or tape, which is useful for a quick-pack line.
Board choice
For lighter contents, folding kraft paperboard in the 16 to 24 pt range is the usual choice. For heavier items, or if the box will be carried by the handle, ask about thin corrugated board such as E-flute, which gives the walls more rigidity. Natural brown kraft prints best in one or two colours, white ink or foil, and the kraft shows through wherever there is no ink. If you prefer a lighter background for colour work, white kraft is an option within the same style.
Proofing the shape before it is cut
A cutout looks different on screen than in your hand. We send a flat dieline with the cut lines and fold lines marked, and for anything unusual we suggest a plain sample first. Hold it, load your product into it, shake it gently, and check that the window frames the right part of the product. Changing a line on the dieline is easy. Changing it after production has started is not.
When a die cut shape is worth it
A custom cut is worth it when the shape does real work, such as showing a product, carrying it or fitting a display. It is not worth it as decoration alone, since it adds cutting-die setup time. For a plain window box, our kraft window boxes are simpler. If you just need a lid that tucks, kraft tuck top boxes do the job, and for shipping strength, take a look at kraft corrugated boxes. The whole kraft box family is a good place to compare structures.
- Custom outline, window, handle, locking tab or display flap
- Kraft paperboard or thin corrugated, depending on weight
- One or two colour print, white ink, foil, emboss
- Bare or film-patched windows
- Any quantity, from a single sample up
Send us your product dimensions, the shape or cutout you have in mind and the quantity, even one, and we will draw the dieline and quote it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a die cut box?
A die cut box is a carton whose flat blank is cut with a custom steel blade, so it can include windows, handles, locking tabs or shaped edges. The same die scores the fold lines, then the blank is folded and glued or tucked into the final box.
Why choose kraft for a die cut box?
Kraft board cuts cleanly, has a natural look, and is widely recyclable. The brown colour suits windows and cutouts that reveal the product inside, and it prints well in one or two colours, white ink or foil. It is less suited to full colour photography.
Can a kraft box have a window?
Yes. A window can be a bare cutout or a hole covered with clear film. The bare version is simpler and easier to recycle, while the patched version keeps dust and fingers off the product. Keep the window away from folds so the board does not crack.
Can I add a handle to a die cut kraft box?
Yes, a handle can be cut into the lid or a top panel. Tell us the filled weight so we can choose the right board and leave enough material around the opening. For heavy contents, a thin corrugated build carries the load better than paperboard.
What is the minimum order for kraft die cut boxes?
There is no minimum order. You can order a single sample to test the shape and fit, or a full production run. We draw the dieline from your dimensions and quote it, and we will beat a written quote for the same specs.
How do I measure for a custom die cut kraft box?
Measure the product at its length, width and height, and allow about 1/8 inch of clearance per side. Tell us where you want the window or handle. We will turn this into a dieline for your approval before anything is cut.
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