A custom kraft gift box is an uncoated brown paperboard box made to present a gift, and TBPB prints and cuts it to your size with no minimum order. If you hold a written quote for the same specs elsewhere, our price-beat guarantee means we beat it.
Why kraft works for gifting
Kraft board has a dry, fibrous surface and a natural brown colour that people read as handmade, even when the box was made on a production line. That is useful if you sell candles, soaps, tea, jam, leather goods, or anything with an artisan angle. It also hides fingerprints and light scuffs better than a dark gloss box, which matters for a gift that has been handled by a packer, a courier and a recipient. The trade-off is that kraft cannot look glossy or ultra-clean. If your brand is crisp and clinical, white board is the better starting point.
Choosing the box style
Gift boxes in kraft come in several constructions. A tuck-end carton, like our kraft tuck top boxes, folds flat, packs fast and suits light gifts such as soap bars or small candles. A separate lid and base, like our kraft boxes with lid, has more presence and lets the recipient lift the lid in a small moment of ceremony. If the gift ships, a mailer-style box such as kraft mailer boxes uses corrugated board that takes a knock. Tell us how the gift travels and we will point you at the right construction rather than the prettiest one.
Printing on brown board
This is where most first-time kraft orders go wrong. Printing CMYK on brown kraft does not give you the same colours as on white, because the brown shows through the ink. Dark inks look rich and slightly earthy. Light and bright colours go dull. White ink or white foil gives a clean, light logo on a brown box, which many gifting brands choose for that reason. A one-colour logo in black or dark green is the lowest-risk look. Pantone matching helps with brand-critical colours, and a matte aqueous coating protects the print without adding gloss. Debossing and embossing look good on kraft, since the board has some give.
- Board: natural brown kraft paperboard, or corrugated for shipping styles
- Styles: tuck top, lid and base, mailer, sleeve
- Print: one to full colour, white ink, Pantone match, foil, blind emboss
- Extras: custom inserts, tissue, belly bands, stickers
- Quantity: no minimum order
Sizing the box to the gift
Measure the gift at its widest point in each direction, then add clearance. For a folding carton, about 1/8 inch per side is the usual starting point. Add room for tissue or a paper fill if you plan to use it, since wrapping can add a surprising amount of volume. Send us the gift dimensions and the packing method, and we draw the dieline before anything is printed.
Small runs, seasonal runs and sample boxes
Gift packaging tends to come in bursts: a holiday set, a wedding season, a one-off corporate order. With no minimum order, you can make exactly the number of boxes the gift run needs instead of buying extra and storing them. A sensible habit is to order a single finished sample first, load it with the real gift, and photograph it before committing. A box that looks right in a render sometimes looks different when the tissue is in and the ribbon is on, and the sample tells you that cheaply.
Send your gift dimensions, the style you prefer and your quantity, even if it is one, and TBPB will draw the dieline and quote it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a minimum order for kraft gift boxes?
No. TBPB has no minimum order on kraft gift boxes. Order one box to check the fit or thousands for a seasonal campaign. You approve the dieline before printing starts, so the first box is the same quality process as the last one.
Can you print bright colours on kraft gift boxes?
Brown kraft changes how ink looks, so bright and pastel CMYK colours come out duller than on white board. Dark inks, white ink and foil give the strongest result. If your brand colours need to stay true, a white kraft board is usually the better choice.
Which kraft gift box style should I choose?
Choose by how the gift is handled. Tuck top cartons suit light, quick-pack gifts. A lid and base box gives a more ceremonial opening. A kraft mailer suits gifts that ship directly to the recipient. Tell us what the box needs to do and we recommend one.
Are kraft gift boxes eco-friendly?
Kraft paperboard is paper-based and can usually be recycled through curbside paper streams, provided coatings, laminations and inserts are kept simple. We do not make certification claims for individual orders. If you need a specific recycled-content or sustainability claim, ask us what applies to your build first.
Can I add inserts or tissue inside the box?
Yes. Paper or paperboard inserts, tissue and shredded fill all work, and we can quote a custom insert cut to the gift. If you plan to use tissue or fill, tell us at the quote stage so we size the box with that extra volume in mind.
How do I size a kraft gift box?
Measure the gift length, width and height at its widest points, then allow roughly 1/8 inch per side for a folding carton. Add room for tissue or fill if you use it. If you send us the gift or its measurements, we calculate the final dimensions.
More Kraft Boxes
See the full Kraft Boxes range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
