A rigid box, also called a set-up box or rigid gift box, is built from thick greyboard and covered with a printed or specialty wrapping paper. The walls do not fold flat, so the box keeps its shape in the hand and on the shelf. Brands use custom rigid boxes for gift sets, cosmetics, jewelry, electronics and launch kits, where the box is part of how the product is presented.
Yiwen makes custom rigid boxes to order in Huizhou, China. Every size, board and wrap is chosen around your product. The minimum order is 500 pieces. Sampling takes 7 days after the requirements are confirmed, and production takes 21 days after sample and artwork approval.
Rigid box samples
Rigid box styles
Lid and base boxes (top and bottom boxes)
A separate lid lifts off a bottom tray. The lid can cover the full depth of the base or only part of it. This style suits products seen from above, such as gift sets and confectionery, and it is the simplest rigid box to specify.
Magnetic book boxes (magnetic gift boxes)
The cover is fixed to the tray and opens sideways like a book. Magnets hidden under the wrap hold the front flap closed. The inside of the cover gives you a second printed surface for a message or product information.
Flip top boxes
The lid is hinged to the back of the base and lifts upward, so the box stays in one piece. The lid can close with magnets, a friction fit or a ribbon detail.
Drawer boxes
An inner tray slides out of an outer sleeve. The sleeve and the tray can carry different artwork, and a ribbon pull or thumb notch helps the customer open it.
How a rigid box is made
The greyboard is cut to size and formed into the tray, lid or cover. The wrapping paper is printed and finished first, then glued around the board and folded over the edges. Inserts are made as separate parts and fitted into the tray. Because the board gives the strength and the wrap gives the look, you can choose almost any paper for the outside: printed coated paper, colored or textured specialty paper, or kraft. Our paper box materials guide compares greyboard with the boards used for folding cartons and mailers.
How to choose a rigid box style
Start with how the customer should open the box. A lift-off lid shows the whole product at once. A book-style cover gives a slower reveal and space for inside printing. A flip top keeps the lid attached, and a drawer suits products that sit in a row or in compartments.
Then think about packing and shipping. Rigid boxes are usually shipped assembled, so they take more carton space than folding boxes. A rigid gift box often needs an outer shipping carton or mailer for delivery to the end customer. If cost and storage space matter more than presentation, compare rigid boxes and folding cartons.
Printing and finishing
The wrap is printed by offset printing before it goes onto the board. We can add hot foil stamping, embossing, debossing, UV coating and lamination. Foil and embossing are placed on the wrap, so their position is confirmed on the dieline and checked on the sample. See packaging printing and finishing for how each effect works.
Inserts
Inserts hold the product in place and decide how it looks when the box opens. They are developed around the exact dimensions of each item, including caps, cables and accessories. For a set with several products, send the dimensions of every piece so the tray depth and insert layout can be planned together.
Sizing a custom rigid box
There are no standard sizes. Each box is made to fit your product. Measure the product, or the packed set, at its widest points and tell us whether your figures are the product size or the inside size you want. We add room for the insert and confirm the fit on the sample with your real product. The top and bottom box guide and the magnetic book box guide explain lid depth, tray size and insert space in more detail.
What to send for a quote
- Product dimensions and weight, for every item in a set
- The box style you want, or a photo of a box you like
- Quantity per design
- Artwork or a design reference, and any foil, embossing or coating
- Delivery destination
Read the artwork and dieline checklist, then request a rigid box quote.