Retail-ready cartons that ship flat
Tuck-end and auto-lock cartons in printed paperboard, from cosmetics to consumer goods.
- Hand-finished details
- Foil, emboss and soft-touch options
- Inserts cut to fit your product
Overview
Printed flat and folded on the packing line, folding cartons are the efficient choice for volume retail.
- Tuck-end, auto-lock and hang-tab styles
- Windows, foil and embossing
- Consistent colour across repeat orders
Selected work
Board & material options
All materials
Folding boxboard
Layered paperboard, 250–450 gsm, with a white printing surface.
The standard choice for folding cartons and food-service boxes.
Coated art paper
Smooth, bright paper that reproduces colour and fine detail accurately.
Available in gloss, satin and matt; pairs well with lamination.
Kraft paper
Strong, natural-toned paper with a visible fibre, brown or white-bleached.
Ink looks softer on brown kraft, so we proof colours on the actual sheet.
Finishing options
All finishes
Matte lamination
A thin non-reflective film that protects the print and gives a calm, even surface.
Deepens dark colours; can show scuffs on very dark designs.
Soft-touch coating
A velvety film that feels warm and premium in the hand.
Ideal for rigid boxes and beauty; test handling before large runs.
Spot UV
A glossy coating applied to chosen areas to make them catch the light.
Strongest contrast on matte or dark backgrounds.
Hot foil stamping
Metallic or coloured foil pressed onto the surface with heat.
Best on logos and fine lines; available in gold, silver and colours.
What you can customise
- Hot foil, embossing and spot UV
- Ribbon pulls, magnets and window cut-outs
- Foam, card or moulded-pulp inserts
- Custom colour matching
Specifications
| Material | 250–450 gsm folding boxboard or SBS paperboard |
|---|---|
| Size range | From 3 × 3 × 6 cm to 30 × 20 × 20 cm |
| Printing | Offset CMYK plus spot colours, aqueous or UV varnish |
| Minimum order | 1,000 units |
| Lead time | 15–22 working days after sample approval |
The table above covers what changes by product; exact values are confirmed against your specification and quantity.
Terms for this specification
- Sampling
- A white dummy or printed sample is made before production.
- Minimum order
- The smallest run we can produce economically; lower on digital print.
- Dieline
- The flat drawing of a box showing cut and fold lines.
- Proof
- A colour or layout check shown before printing.
- gsm
- Grams per square metre, the weight of paper or board.
What drives the cost
We do not publish a price list, because no two specifications are alike. The levers that decide a quote are consistent, though, and knowing them lets you judge a budget before you ask.
- Quantity
- Set-up cost is spread over more units as the run grows.
- Size
- Larger formats use more material and may need larger presses.
- Material
- Board grade, paper weight and film structure change the unit price.
- Print & finish
- Colours, coverage and finishes such as foil add process steps.
- Structure
- Inserts, windows and hand assembly add labour and tooling.
When you ask for a quote, ask for two or three quantities on it. The unit price usually falls faster than people expect.
Design & artwork
No print-ready files? We can draw them
From an artwork check, through a dimensioned dieline and print-ready files, to a full concept package across a range — done by the factory that will make it, so the file is drawn to our presses and proven on a physical sample.
How it is made
- 01
Brief
Share your product, quantities and budget. We reply with options within one working day.
- 02
Structure & artwork
We draw the dieline, check fit and prepare print-ready artwork.
- 03
Sample & approval
A white or printed sample is made and sent for sign-off before production.
- 04
Production & delivery
Batches are inspected, packed and shipped to your warehouse or fulfilment partner.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a white dummy before printing?
Yes. A plain white dummy checks size and fit at low cost; printed proofs follow once the structure is approved.
Request a quote
Request a custom packaging quote
Tell us your product, quantity, dimensions, materials and finishing requirements. Our team replies within one business day, and samples are produced in 5–7 working days.