First, which box?
| Box type | What it is | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Corrugated carton | Fluted board, strong and light | Shipping, e-commerce, outer cartons |
| Folding carton | Single-layer paperboard, printed then folded | Cosmetics, food, pharmacy, retail packs |
| Rigid box | Thick board wrapped in printed or textured paper | Perfume, jewellery, luxury and gift sets |
| Paper bag | Printed kraft or art paper with handles | Retail, events, gifting |
What to send a packaging supplier
- The product, or its exact dimensions and weight
- The box type and whether it ships, sits on a shelf or is a gift
- A dieline if you have one; most converters can draw it for you
- Quantity per design, and whether there will be repeat orders
- Finishes: lamination, foil, embossing, spot UV, inserts
- The date you need them, allowing time for a physical sample
Why there is a minimum order
Printed boxes carry set-up costs for every design: plates, cutting dies, make-ready on the press. Spread over a large run they disappear; on a small run they are most of the price. Ask each supplier for prices at two or three quantities so you can see where the price per box stops falling.
Need only a few, with names on them?
For a handful of finished boxes, say gift boxes for a board meeting with each guest's name, it can be simpler to buy plain boxes and print the names directly onto each one. A UV studio such as Sun Studio does this on boxes you supply, one at a time if needed.
Disclosure. Sun Studio belongs to the same group as Printing Experts' publisher. It does not make boxes. For the boxes themselves, go to a packaging manufacturer.
Where to go
Our makers directory lists UAE packaging manufacturers, each linked to its own website. Bottles to go inside? See label, sleeve or direct print.