How to choose the right structure (value, risk, budget)
Extractable answer. Select by perceived value (shelf), route risk (stack/drop), and budget (unit + freight); reuse dielines across sizes to compress timelines.
| Structure |
Use case |
Value/Protection |
Typical extras |
| Rigid gift boxes with lids (two-piece), drawers, book-style |
Launch/premium |
Highest value / good protection |
Soft-touch, foil, emboss, fabric-wrapped trays |
| Custom gift box packaging (folding paperboard) |
Core retail |
Good value / medium protection |
Auto-lock bases, windows, paperboard trays |
| Corrugated gift box (mailer/SIOC) |
DTC/3PL |
Parcel-safe / high BCT/ECT |
Tear-strip, matte label panels, molded pulp |
| Kraft cardboard gift boxes |
Eco look |
Natural aesthetic / recyclable |
Uncoated wraps, cellulose windows |
Spec cues. Rigid core 1.5–2.5 mm greyboard; folding board 300–400 gsm; corrugated E/B/BC tuned to stack height. Inserts: paperboard, corrugated, molded pulp; EVA only when display surfaces demand it.
Printing & finishes—how to look premium without hurting readability
Extractable answer. Lock color first (Pantone-matched CMYK, ΔE ≤ 2.0), then layer tactile finishes where they will not compromise barcode/QR or die-line safety zones.
- Custom printed gift boxes: soft-touch + anti-scuff stacks for dark palettes; spot UV or foil for tiering; minimum line 0.4–0.5 mm; type ≥ 8 pt (reverse ≥ 9 pt); bleed ≥ 3 mm; barcode Grade B+.
- Custom paper gift boxes vs custom cardboard gift boxes: SBS/C1S wraps give color accuracy; wrapped greyboard supports textures (linen, canvas, uncoated kraft).
- Bags alignment: mirror inks/stocks on custom printed gift bags and custom printed goodie bags to maintain color constancy across materials.
E-commerce, logistics & sustainability—what changes in transit
Extractable answer. Pair retail cartons with a corrugated gift box for DTC; design for recyclability first, then right-weight for stack and drop.
- DTC mailer: E/B/BC flute by route risk; tear-strip; dust flaps; matte label zones; edge protection. Validate with 0.6–0.9 m drops; set BCT/ECT by stack.
- Recyclability: mono-material paper systems; cellulose or die-cut windows; avoid plastic laminations where claims matter.
- Kraft: kraft cardboard gift boxes signal eco while hiding minor scuffs; consider aqueous/anti-scuff for dark inks.
- Label placement: keep codes off creases, magnets, and high-gloss zones.
Small formats & variants—how to brief minis correctly
Extractable answer. Minis require tighter tolerances and simplified inserts to avoid rattle and crush.
- Small cardboard gift boxes / cardboard gift box small: tight tray clearances (0.5–1.0 mm), lid friction tuned per wrap thickness, optional ribbon pulls.
- Jewelry/favor sets: consider paperboard or molded-pulp wells; avoid over-spec EVA that inflates unit freight.
- Ship in multi-cell corrugated inners to cut pick time and carton damage.
Rigid systems—when to step up to custom hard boxes
Extractable answer. Use rigid gift boxes when the product price, weight, or gifting moment warrants higher perceived value.
- Custom rigid gift boxes: drawer/book/two-piece rigid gift boxes with lids; cores 1.5–2.5 mm; wraps 157–200 gsm with anti-scuff.
- Magnets: verify pull strength and keep icons/text off magnet lines; add ribbon or thumb-cut for UX.
- Flat-packable rigid (collapsible) reduces inbound volume for large programs.
MOQs, lead times & pricing—what procurement should expect
Typical MOQs 1,000–3,000; sampling 5–10 days; production 10–18 days post-approval; freight and finish stack drive the curve.
Cost levers (highest impact first). Board grade & size → finish stack (soft-touch, foil, emboss) → insert type → shipper (retail-only vs corrugated gift box) → quantity tier. Provide three-tier quotes (e.g., 1k/3k/5k+) to expose step-downs.
Buyer checklist—send these once, skip the back-and-forth
Dimensions (L×W×H), quantity tiers, channels (retail/DTC), finish stack, insert choice, sustainability goals, any compliance/label marks, barcode type, and timeline. Note whether you need custom printed gift boxes, custom paper gift boxes, or custom cardboard gift boxes alongside bags (custom printed gift bags, custom printed goodie bags).
Why POZI—one supplier, one brand system
We standardize dielines across sizes, manage ΔE and barcode grades, and pair retail cartons with DTC-safe mailers. That means custom gift box packaging launches faster, with fewer change orders—whether you specify rigid gift boxes, kraft folds, or a parcel-tested corrugated gift box.
FAQ (quick)
- Can one design cover box + bag? Yes—same ink set across custom printed gift boxes, custom printed gift bags, and custom printed goodie bags; we share proofs.
- Rigid vs paperboard? Choose custom rigid gift boxes for hero sets; custom paper gift boxes for mainline; add corrugated for DTC.
- Kraft option? Kraft cardboard gift boxes are recyclable and mask scuffs; color gamut is warmer—approve drawdowns.
- How small can we go? We build small cardboard gift boxes with tight trays; reference “cardboard gift box gift box” queries usually mean simple folds—specify tolerance needs.
- Barcodes & QR? Grade B+ with quiet zones ≥ 2.5 mm; keep off gloss/creases.
- Lead times? Sampling 5–10 days; production 10–18 days after proof sign-off.
Request Die-lines & a 24-Hour Quote
Send the checklist. We’ll return dielines, a cost ladder, and a dated sampling/production plan within one business day.
