Cartons and boxes
Folding cartons and product boxes, made to your container
Printed retail cartons, product boxes and rigid gift boxes. What to require, what to ask, and US makers whose own websites back every claim we list.
What to require from carton and product box makers
A dieline from your real container
Send the container’s spec drawing or a sample. The maker designs the dieline around it, and you print artwork onto that dieline. A carton built from a guess either rattles or will not close.
Board grade and thickness
Solid bleached sulfate (SBS) prints cleanly, recycled board costs less, and kraft looks natural. Thickness is measured in points; ask what the maker recommends for your product’s weight.
Structure that fits the line
Reverse tuck end, straight tuck and auto-bottom cartons pack differently. If your co-manufacturer cartons by machine, get their spec first; hand packing is more forgiving.
Certificates for any claims
You can print the FSC logo only when the carton comes through an FSC-certified chain of custody. Ask for the maker’s certificate number before you put the logo on your artwork.
A printed sample before the run
Ask for a printed and assembled sample, not just a digital proof. Color, folds and fit show up only on the real board.
Room for lot and expiry
Retail cartons often need the lot and expiry from the unit inside. Leave a clear panel and confirm your co-manufacturer can code it.
Questions to ask before you order
- What board and thickness do you recommend for my product, and why?
- Can you build the dieline from my container sample or drawing?
- Which structure do you recommend for hand packing or for my co-manufacturer’s machine?
- Do you print digitally or offset, and how does that change the minimum?
- Can I get a printed, assembled sample before the full run?
- Do you hold FSC or SFI chain-of-custody certification?
- What is the lead time from approved proof to delivery, and how are cartons shipped?
Carton and product box makers
US suppliers whose own websites say they sell this packaging to brands.
We are checking carton and product box makers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The guide on this page is ready today.
Sell packaging to brands? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What is the difference between a folding carton and a rigid box?
A folding carton is printed paperboard that ships flat and is folded at packing. A rigid box is thick board wrapped in printed paper, ships already built, and costs more to buy, ship and store. Rigid boxes are mostly used for gift sets and high-end products.
Do I need a carton at all?
Not always. Many supplements and foods sell well without one. Retail cartons add space for copy, protect glass and droppers, and some retailers want them. Weigh that against the extra component to buy, store and track.
How do I get low minimums on printed boxes?
Digitally printed boxes usually have lower minimums than offset. Standard sizes and structures cost less than custom ones. We show a minimum only when the maker states it on its own site.
Sell packaging to product brands?
If you supply bottles, closures, pouches, labels, cartons or shipping boxes, request a free listing. No paid placement.