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A snap lock bottom box is a folding carton whose base is formed by three or four flaps that fold in a fixed order and lock into one another, so the bottom carries weight without tape or glue. It is also called a 1 2 3 bottom or a lock bottom. We make them in 18 to 24 point SBS or kraft board, printed to your brand, in any size and with no minimum order. The number that matters is packed weight: a tuck bottom is safe to about a pound, a snap lock bottom to roughly 3 to 5 pounds, and past that the same structure moves to corrugated board.
It is the base to choose when a tuck bottom might drop open under load and a glued auto lock bottom is more than the job needs: glass jars, bottles, candles, cosmetics sets, small electronics, and anything that gets picked up by the box.
Snap lock, auto lock or tuck bottom
Three folding carton bases, three different jobs. Which one earns its place depends on the weight of the product and how the boxes are packed.
| Base | How it forms | Glue on the base | Working load | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuck end bottom | One flap tucks into a slot | none | to about 1 lb | light retail items, samples, soap, small cosmetics |
| Snap lock (1 2 3) bottom | Three or four flaps fold and lock by hand | none | about 3 to 5 lb | jars, bottles, candles, sets, anything lifted by the box |
| Auto lock (crash lock) bottom | Pre-glued base springs into place when squared | yes | about 4 to 6 lb | high volume packing lines where seconds per box count |
Snap lock costs less to produce than auto lock because there is no glue pass, and it packs flatter for shipping to you. Auto lock wins when a line packs thousands a day and the extra second of hand folding adds up. If you are unsure, tell us the daily pack count and the packed weight and we will recommend one.
Sizes and board
Snap lock bottoms work from about 2 by 2 inches on the base up to roughly 8 by 8, and from 2 to 12 inches tall. Beyond that the flap geometry stops holding well and a corrugated box takes over. Board caliper follows height and weight: 18 point for boxes under 5 inches tall with light contents, 20 point as the all round grade, 24 point for tall boxes, glass, or anything over 3 pounds.
| Product | Typical box size | Board |
|---|---|---|
| 4 oz candle jar | 3.5 x 3.5 x 4 in | 20 pt SBS |
| 8 oz cosmetic jar or cream | 3.5 x 3.5 x 3.5 in | 20 pt SBS |
| 12 oz sauce or honey bottle | 3 x 3 x 7 in | 24 pt SBS |
| 750 ml bottle | 3.5 x 3.5 x 13 in | 24 pt SBS, or E flute |
| Skincare set of three | 6 x 3 x 5 in | 20 or 24 pt SBS |
Tops, windows and finish
The base is one decision; the top is another. A straight tuck top opens fast for retail. A seal end top is glued shut for tamper evidence. A hanging tab top hangs on a peg. Add a die-cut window with clear film to show the product, a full color CMYK print inside and out, and a matte or gloss aqueous coating, soft touch lamination, foil or spot UV on the panels that face the shelf. Kraft board takes one or two color print cleanly and suits natural and food brands.
How the lock works, and why it does not fail
The base has two large flaps and two small ones. The packer folds the small flaps in, then one large flap over them, then the last large flap tucks under the first. Once the box is squared, the weight of the product pushes the flaps against each other and the lock tightens. It fails only when the flaps are folded in the wrong order or the box is overloaded, which is why we send a folding sample with every proof and print the fold sequence inside the base on request.
In short
What to send us: the product dimensions, its packed weight, how many you pack a day, and where the box is sold. What you get back: a snap lock, auto lock or tuck bottom recommendation with the reason, a dieline sized to the product, the board caliper for the weight, a folding sample and a printed proof. What it costs you to start: nothing. Free design, free dieline, free samples, no minimum order.
Snap lock bottom box questions
What is a snap lock bottom box?
A folding carton whose base is made of three or four flaps that fold in a set order and lock into each other, so the bottom holds without tape or glue. It is also called a 1 2 3 bottom or lock bottom. The box ships flat and the packer forms the base by hand in a few seconds.
What is the difference between a snap lock bottom and an auto lock bottom?
A snap lock bottom is folded and locked by hand and has no glue on the base. An auto lock bottom, also called a crash lock bottom, is pre-glued so the base springs into place when the box is squared. Auto lock is faster on a packing line; snap lock costs less to make and packs flatter. Both hold far more than a tuck bottom.
How much weight will a snap lock bottom hold?
As a working rule, a tuck end bottom is safe to about 1 pound, a snap lock bottom to roughly 3 to 5 pounds depending on board and box size, and an auto lock bottom a little more because the glue line shares the load. Tell us the packed weight and we will confirm the board caliper on your quote.
What board are snap lock boxes made from?
18 to 24 point SBS paperboard for a white printing surface, or kraft board of similar caliper for a natural look. Heavier products and taller boxes go to 24 point. For products over about 5 pounds, an E flute corrugated version of the same structure is the better choice.
Is there a minimum order?
No. One box, a hundred to test, or a full production run. Free structural design and dieline, free samples, and a printed proof before the run.
No minimum order. One box or a production run. Free design and dieline, and a printed proof before production. Free samples so you can load the base with your own product before you commit. Price match: send a written quote for the same size, board, print and quantity and we will beat it.
Related: kraft tuck top boxes, seal end boxes and bottle boxes with inserts.
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