Boxes that are particularly made for a certain type, size or style of product are called custom boxes. Simply put, they are not generic and you cannot buy them from convenience stores. You have to actually acquire them via a proper process that involves designing, brainstorming and finalizing how you want them made. Their usage can be for anything, storage, shipping, retailing or personal use, you modify them and they become custom.
There is a great hype around such boxes. Makers say that they can become the actual driving force behind a product’s sales and a brand’s recognition. In order to qualify or deny this claim we may need to analyse in detail about what they are and how they do what they do, if they do it at all. Let’s go.
How Do They Work?
Custom styles of boxes help customers in depicting the product they want, way more easily. They help in making sure that the products they carry remain safe and pristine, even after they have travelled miles. They shape up like the product and make sure that it doesnt move around much.
With the help of custom printing, they make product identification a breeze. Consumers depict their desired commodities from afar which makes their shopping experience quick and productive.
With unique style possibilities, custom boxes enhance the worth of a product and may make it look like something worthy of people’s attention. Even standard products can take huge benefits from custom styles of premium packaging options.
Why Businesses Choose Custom Boxes
Businesses choose to add customization to their product packaging to make it their own. Or in other words, they brand the packaging so that it allots to the respective brand or franchise. There are a number of other reasons which drive them to initiate this step as well. Namely,
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Product Protection
With the help of inserts and other custom add ons, the boxes can protect even the most fragile items.
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Improved Unboxing Experience
Unique styles of closures in custom boxes truly take the user’s unboxing experience to next levels. Ribbons, bow ties, magnets and what not? Manufacturers can truly let their imagination go wild.
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Better Storage
Shortage of storage space is not as worrisome as it used to be. Custom foldable boxes fold up from their actual space and are storable wherever there is enough room.
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Helps Products Stand Out on Shelves
No need to go all guns blazing after advertising campaigns to get your brand noticed. All you need is an unorthodox custom box, and your job is pretty much done.
Most Popular Custom Box Styles
Although modern manufacturing techniques have made creating any style or design of a box possible. However there are some popular basic versions that are modified to generate new options. They are,
Mailer Boxes
This style is best for online selling and sending subscription packs. It’s a safe and secure style that can be modified as per product type and needs.
Shipping Boxes
Corrugated material comes into use to make boxes that are specifically for shipping. You can have them plain or printed, depending on use.
Folding Cartons
Light in weight but heavy performers. These boxes can fold up and rebuild into their actual shape within no time and without taking much effort. They are best for retail and storage.
Rigid Boxes
For luxury and premium products, this is the style that comes into play. They are strong boxes with rigid as their backbone. Their presence alone pretty much justifies high price points of products.
Display Boxes
Made for retail presentation of products. These boxes come in unique shapes and styles, which attract buyers towards them and make them noticeable.
Product Boxes
Uniquely made for specific products. They can take up the shape of the most unique commodities and make them look extremely buyable.
Gift Boxes
Safehouses for premium and seasonal products. They come with festive prints to relate to whatever event they are meant to represent.
Kraft Boxes
Made out of kraft that is known for its natural attributes and handmade type appearance. These boxes suffice for the eco responsibilities of concerned consumers.
Window Boxes
Best option for products that are bought on the basis of their appearance, yet fragile enough to damage if mishandled. They exhibit products that are inside of them with the help of a window.
Sleeve Boxes
Slow reveals? Asmrs? Sleeve boxes are the solution. They are safe to use and the best style of packaging to enhance visual attention.
How to Choose the Right Custom Box Style
If your products are handy or for daily use in nature, more subtle and practical box styles may be best for them. If you run a luxury merchandise, you can not even think about anything else than premium packaging options.
Make a smart choice of packaging style spending upon the composition of your products. Solids, liquids and powders all have different packaging demands, similar to edible and non-edible items. In such cases, you may need to go for add ons along with the outer box structure.
Next comes shipping needs. If your products are not to go places, there is absolutely no need to either invest in shipping box styles or facilitate your packaging with shipping capabilities. Why add the weight? Keep it simple and practical. However, if you do business nationwide or internationally, it is best that you modify a shipping box style so it can do both retail and shipping work for you.
The goals you have regarding your branding also help in choosing the right style of packaging. Custom boxes have ample options for branding but they may backfire if not used with wisdom. Decide the content you want to deliver to your customers via your packaging and then evaluate which box style gives you enough space to accommodate all that.
Common Materials Used for Custom Boxes
Materials mark how your packaging performs while in use. The most common ones include:
Cardboard
Safe, green, reusable and easily modifiable. There are simply not enough good words to say about cardboard when it comes to making custom styles of boxes.
Corrugated Board
Corrugated board is considered to be one of the heavy boards. Boxes made by corrugated board can carry weighty items.
Kraft Paper
This rugged, earthy paper is the most satisfactory answer to ecologically concerned consumers. It is printable and modifiable to counter standard counterparts.
Rigid Board
Strong enough to single-handedly manage retail and shipping of some of the most expensive items.
Printing and Finishing Options
The options are endless when it comes to printing and laminating custom boxes. The basic or foundation processes for printing include:
- Digital printing
- Offset printing
- Flexo printing
The cost, quantity requirement and precision results of each process vary. Packaging manufacturers usually guide their customers about which process would best suit their purpose.
For laminations, we have the options of
- Matte / Gloss
- Soft touch
- Foil stamping
- Embossing / Debossing
Each type of lamination gives a unique dimension and depth to the packaging, depending on
Customization Options You Can Add
- Custom Colors
The customization options for custom boxes are absolutely wild. They are not limited to size and shape only in any way whatsoever. You can add custom colors on them. They look amazing with unique color palettes applied on them.
- Custom Artwork and Branding
Such boxes can have graphics and branding elements of your choice as well. With no cap on how much or less amount of promotional content you want to add on your very own and personal box packaging.
- Inserts and Dividers
In order to make them truly belong to the product that they carry, one can add inserts and dividers inside of them. These options do not only make them more effective for their respective products but also enhance the visual appeal of the package. The whole package looks more organized and thoughtful.
- Closures
Each and every aspect of such boxes is customizable. This includes how they open and close as well. With common options like magnets, ribbon pulls and tuck ends, the possibilities are limitless. Different closure styles come with different security levels and mechanisms. It is best to choose one that best fits your product type.
What You Need to Know About Pricing and Ordering
When you order custom cardboard boxes remember that each and every customization option comes with a certain price. Before placing an order make sure that you are absolutely certain about the size and dimensions of the product that you are getting packaging for. One thing that you must remember is that the size, material, printing quantity, and finishing of your box packaging will have a direct impact on the eventual cost that you will have to pay. There is no fixed price of any custom packaging product. It may all depend on the specifications that you require.
Packaging manufacturers have minimum order quantities. These quantities exist to help facilitate customers in getting reduced price quotes when they buy in a higher volume. However it is recommended not to place a high order volume before testing out how the packaging performs in actual market scenarios.
Efficient packaging manufacturers deliver your orders within a week or two, regardless of your location. It is not a must to place an order with your local vendors since there are numerous online packaging providers that offer greater value and up-to-date customization options. All you may need to do is share the specifications of your product.
Starting off with custom boxes is way easier than you actually anticipate. Make an order today even if it is a small one. Try things out first and see the magic happen.
FAQ
- Do I need to pay extra for design alterations?
Most online vendors offer free design support that includes alterations as well.
- Is it must to follow minimum order quantities?
Minimum order quantities exist for a reason. They mostly apply to customizations that are more costly if not ordered in a certain amount.
- Are online vendors reliable?
Mostly yes but it is best to do thorough research before Placing an order, take personal recommendations and check out user reviews before making any payments.
- Should I still get custom boxes if I have a standard size product?
You can go ahead with custom boxes with a standard product if your budget allows and if you are planning to venture big. Otherwise standard ready-to-use boxes can also work for you.
- Do custom boxes come with foils?
Yes you can get foil stamping on your logo or any other part of your box. You can also get your custom box completely covered with foil of your choice.