A folding carton, also called a folding box or paper box, starts as a single sheet of printed paperboard. The sheet is die-cut, creased and glued along one seam, then shipped flat. Your packing team folds it into shape when the product goes in.
Folding cartons are used for cosmetics, supplements, small electronics, accessories and many other retail goods. They take little space before packing, carry printed artwork on every panel and usually cost less per unit than a rigid box. If you need a heavier presentation box, compare the rigid gift boxes in our packaging catalogue.
Yiwen makes custom folding cartons to order. 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.
Folding carton styles
Tuck end boxes
Flaps at the top and bottom tuck into the carton to close it. We make both reverse tuck and straight tuck layouts. This is the usual choice for light retail products packed by hand.
Straight tuck end boxes
Both closure flaps hinge from the same panel, which keeps the front display panel clean. Brands often choose this layout for premium retail cartons.
Auto-lock bottom boxes
The base is pre-glued and locks into place when the flat carton is opened. It assembles faster than a tuck end box and gives more support to heavier products such as jars and bottles.
How to choose a folding carton style
Start with the product weight and the way your team packs it. A light product packed by hand usually works in a tuck end box. If the product is heavier, or you pack large volumes, an auto-lock bottom saves time and supports the base better. If the front panel is the main face on the shelf, compare straight tuck with reverse tuck before you approve the dieline.
Windows, hang tabs and inserts change the dieline, so mention them in your first brief. Our tuck end box guide walks through sizing, closures and sample checks.
Paperboard and printing
Folding cartons are printed on the paperboard before die-cutting. White coated board suits bright graphics and photographs, while kraft board gives a natural brown look. The board thickness depends on the product weight and carton size, and we confirm it in the quotation.
We print folding cartons by offset printing and can add hot foil stamping, embossing, debossing, UV coating and lamination. See packaging printing and finishing for how each effect works and how to set it up in your artwork.
Folding carton or mailer box?
A folding carton is a retail box and gives little protection in the post on its own. For direct-to-customer shipping, a corrugated mailer box gives more protection. Some brands use both: a printed folding carton around the product and a mailer or shipping carton outside it. The mailer box guide covers mailer sizes and board.
What to send for a quote
- Product dimensions and weight, including caps, pumps or accessories
- The carton style you want, or a photo of a carton 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 folding carton quote.