Custom paper boxes are printed cartons made from paperboard, kraft board or wrapped chipboard, built to the exact size of your product. TBPB makes them with no minimum order, so one box or ten thousand is a normal request, and we beat any written quote for the same specs.
Paper box is a wide term, so pick the family first
People searching for paper boxes usually mean one of three things. The first is a folding carton, printed on paperboard of roughly 16 pt to 24 pt and delivered flat, which is the right answer for most retail products from soap to supplements. The second is a kraft box, made from brown or natural board, which suits eco-minded brands and food items that want an unfinished look. The third is a rigid box, made from thick wrapped chipboard, which suits gifts and products where the box is part of the sale. Each has a different price, feel and storage footprint, so decide which family you need before you spec sizes.
Sizing without guesswork
Measure your product length, width and height at the largest points, then add about 1/8 inch of clearance per side for a snug fit in a folding carton. If the product is soft, such as a folded t-shirt or a bag of tea, add more, since compressed items spring back. Orient the measurements the way the customer will open the box, because length and width swap when the opening is on the short end. If you have an insert, size the box around the insert, not the product.
It is worth ordering a single box to test before you commit to a run. A flat white sample with no print is enough to check the fit and to see how the closure feels.
Board weights and what they carry
As a rough guide, 16 pt to 18 pt paperboard suits light products such as cosmetics and small accessories. 20 pt to 24 pt carries heavier items such as candles and jars. Kraft board has a rougher fibre and a duller print surface, so photographs look softer and colors more muted than on bright white stock. If the box has to ship without an outer carton, step up to E-flute or B-flute corrugated, which adds crush resistance. Print is CMYK with Pantone matching, and finishes include matte or gloss aqueous coating, soft-touch lamination, foil stamping, embossing and spot UV.
- Folding carton: 16 pt to 24 pt paperboard, flat-packed
- Kraft box: natural or white-lined kraft board
- Rigid box: 1.5 mm to 3 mm chipboard, wrapped and assembled
- Corrugated: E-flute or B-flute for shipping strength
- Options: window, insert, foil, emboss, spot UV, soft-touch
Closure matters as much as board. A tuck top is quick to pack and easy to open, a lock-bottom carton holds weight without glue on the base, and a lid-and-base style gives a slower, more deliberate opening. Tell us how the box is packed, by hand or on a line, and whether customers will open it more than once.
When a plain paper box is not the answer
If your goal is to reduce plastic and use recyclable material, see our eco-friendly boxes. For shipping to customers, the ecommerce boxes are built for courier handling. When the unboxing is the point, step up to rigid paper boxes. Compare formats in the retail packaging category.
Send us your product dimensions and quantity, even one box, and TBPB will draw the dieline and quote it. If you are unsure between a folding carton and a kraft box, send both options as a request and we will explain the difference on your specific product.
Frequently asked questions
What are custom paper boxes?
They are printed boxes made from paperboard, kraft board or wrapped chipboard, built to the size of your product. The three main families are folding cartons, kraft boxes and rigid boxes.
Is there a minimum order for custom paper boxes?
No. TBPB has no minimum order, so you can order a single box to test the fit or thousands for a run. Send your product dimensions and quantity and we draw the dieline and quote it.
How thick should a paper box be?
For light products such as cosmetics, 16 pt to 18 pt paperboard is usually enough. Heavier items like candles or jars suit 20 pt to 24 pt. For shipping, step up to E-flute or B-flute corrugated.
What is the difference between a paper box and a rigid box?
A paper box is usually a folding carton made from thin paperboard that ships flat. A rigid box is built from thick chipboard, wrapped in printed paper and delivered assembled. It feels heavier and costs more.
Can paper boxes be recycled?
Plain paperboard and kraft boxes are widely recyclable in standard paper streams. Plastic laminations, foils and window films can complicate that, so tell us if recyclability is important and we suggest finishes accordingly.
What finishes can I add to a paper box?
Matte or gloss aqueous coating, soft-touch lamination, foil stamping, embossing and spot UV are all available. Choose one or two that support the brand rather than stacking every effect.
More Custom Retail Packaging
See the full Custom Retail Packaging range, or explore related options with no minimum order and our best-price guarantee:
