At Custom Boxes Now, we know that every business has unique needs for storage, transportation and protection of goods. We offer a wide range of box styles with countless options for customization, including various custon box sizes and finishes, to meet those needs.
Whether you have a finished design in mind and just need production or you need to start from scratch and design your boxes, Custom Boxes Now can help create the perfect brandable corrugated box.
Backed by more than 60 years of experience working with businesses of all sizes, our team knows what it takes to create the perfect custom boxes to meet your needs every time. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know to get started building personalized cardboard boxes.
For those who are new to custom shipping boxes, you have come to the right place. We have tried to cover the important areas with regard to custom corrugated packaging boxes, but if you still have questions please contact Custom Boxes Now!
Here are the most common box styles used to ship and display products:
This is the most common box style; a standard shipping box, where the flaps fold down and meet in the middle. Tape or glue must be used to seal carton.
This corrugated container is a standard shipping carton where the top and bottom flaps overlap each other. Offers more strength for heavy objects, and provides more rigidity to minimize flex.
One panel folders are often used as corrugated mailers for books, as they are handy for shipping relatively flat objects. Tape must be used to seal the carton.
This is a popular type of box that is self-locking. It requires tooling (a cutting die) which usually costs between $600 and $1,000. This is a one-time charge, so future orders will not need tooling as long as you don’t change the box size. C-Series boxes are often used as subscription boxes and custom apparel boxes. These boxes are also reffered to as corrugated mailer boxes.
Note: We do carry cutting dies in a few sizes, so please contact us to discuss your box size and if tooling will be required.
Commonly used for heavy items, and those that need more stacking strength, this box style ships flat. Flaps will need to be stapled or glued for assembly.
A standard box with no flaps (open) on top. Bottom flaps must be sealed with tape or glue.
Check out The Ultimate Guide to Corrugated Box Designs on our blog, or contact us to discuss additional box styles that are available.
Understanding box strength can get a little bit complicated. It is measured in two ways: by considering an Edge Crush Test (ECT) and a minimum burst strength.
For our online box configurator, we attempt to simplify box strength by offering the options below. If you have questions or need additional box strength options, please contact us.
Single Wall (left) vs. Double Wall (right) Box Strengths
Get inspired by looking at our box options – all boxes are 100% customizable
New to custom boxes? Learn about styles, size, material, print, and much more
Adding a logo or other print to your boxes? Learn about the process and what is needed
Place order either through the configurator or by calling and talking to a friendly rep
CBN designs, manufactures, and prints the boxes in-house. Have us arrange freight or use your own carrier
Our online box configurator offers the two most common box colors:
Colored Boxes
We can manufacture your boxes using dyed satin black outside/kraft inside corrugated material. There are some restrictions/minimums with this material – please call us for pricing on this option.
We can also flood print your boxes (on white substrate) in the PMS (Pantone) color of your choice. Contact us for details and pricing.
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| Kraft/Kraft | White/Kraft |
Create custom logo boxes that will promote your brand and differentiate your product by adding printed graphics to your custom boxes. The cost is often less than our clients expect, and the impact on end-users is very valuable.
Printing can be added to boxes in two ways. The corrugated board can be printed directly, or a printed label can be laminated to the corrugated board for a higher-end graphic appearance.
Check out our Box Printing 101 area to find out more about adding printing to your boxes, or you can see examples of printed boxes we have produced on our Box Examples page.
Most printed corrugated box manufacturers have a minimum order quantity to offset machine setup costs and other fixed expenses.
Custom Boxes Now has no minimum order for custom shipping packaging. As with all manufacturers, quantity does have a significant impact on price. You can see this by testing different quantities of the same box on our box configurator. Increasing your order quantity dramatically reduces your per box price.
Corrugated containers are the most sustainable, eco-friendly packaging material available. The average corrugated box is made from 43% recycled fiber, and 85% of corrugated packaging board produced is recycled and used again.
At Custom Boxes Now, we take it a step further:
See our Environmental Advantages of Corrugated Cardboard Boxes section to learn more.
Many box manufacturers take weeks to quote, design, print, manufacture, and deliver shipping boxes. Complex machines often require significant setup times, and die-cut boxes require tooling to be created.
This is another area in which Custom Boxes Now excels! Our online box builder shows you pricing in real-time, so you don’t have to wait for a quote. If you order non-printed boxes before noon (12:00 PM CST), Monday through Friday, and select overnight delivery, you can receive your boxes the following day. Orders received online after 12:00 PM CST are not available for next-day delivery. Exceptions to this may be possible by contacting a Custom Boxes Now specialist.
Printed boxes have a longer lead time because of tooling that is required-usually 3-5 business days after artwork approval. Rush orders may be available for printed boxes, depending on capacity. Contact us to start designing custom corrugated boxes!
Still have questions about boxes? Contact Custom Boxes Now or use our real-time shipping box configurator to start now.
