Custom retail boxes, cartons and display units
Custom Retail Packaging
Custom retail packaging is the box a customer picks up from a shelf, a peg or a counter. We make retail boxes to your product's dimensions as printed folding cartons, window boxes, hanging-tab cartons, sleeves and counter display units, in board chosen for the product's weight and finished to suit its price point. Send your product dimensions and quantity for a quotation.
- Formats
- Cartons, window boxes, sleeves, display units
- Board
- Typically 300–400 GSM FBB, SBS or kraft
- Display
- Shelf, peg or counter
- Minimum order
- 50 boxes
Overview
Packaging that has to sell on its own
On a shop shelf the packaging does the talking. A customer sees the front panel from arm's length, picks the box up, turns it over and decides in seconds. Retail packaging has to be legible at that distance, feel right in the hand and carry every piece of information the product needs, without looking crowded.
A retail carton is specified by three decisions: the structure, the board and the print and finish. Get the structure right first. A carton that pops open, sags or lets the product rattle undoes any amount of good print. We build each carton from your product's dimensions on a dieline we prepare, proof the artwork on that dieline and produce the run to the same specification every time you reorder.
Retail packaging also has to work for the store. Cartons need to stand square, stack without crushing and fit the shelf depth. Hanging-tab cartons need the hole in the right place so the product hangs straight. Counter display units need to fit the space by the till and hold enough stock to be worth their place.
The finish should match the price point. Soft-touch lamination and foil blocking suit premium products; gloss lamination suits bright, colourful ranges; uncoated kraft suits natural positioning. We will tell you where a finish will not work as intended on the construction you have chosen.
Structures
Retail box styles
These are the structures most retail packaging is built from. Most can carry a window or hanging tab.
Box style
Straight tuck end boxes
A clean, uninterrupted front panel for display. The usual carton for cosmetics and small retail products.
Read the style guideBox style
Reverse tuck end boxes
Economical and quick to pack, for light products and value ranges.
Read the style guideBox style
Crash-lock bottom boxes
A self-locking base that holds jars, bottles and heavier products securely on the shelf.
Read the style guideBox style
Window boxes
A die-cut window, open or with a clear film patch, for products that sell on colour or texture.
Read the style guideBox style
Counter display units
Printed trays and display boxes that hold stock at the till or on a shelf edge.
Read the style guideBox style
Sleeve boxes
A printed sleeve over a tray or product, useful for changing the design by variant or season.
Read the style guideBox style
Pillow boxes
Curved-end cartons for accessories, small gifts and soft goods.
Read the style guideHanging tab cartons
Tuck end cartons with a euro slot or round hole so the product hangs from a peg.
Sizing
Sizing for the product and the shelf
Send the product's length, width and height, or diameter and height for round items, in millimetres. We size the carton with the small clearance a product needs to slide in and out without moving. If the product is heavy we will recommend a crash-lock base; if it is fragile, a card insert or platform.
Tell us how the product will be displayed: standing on a shelf, lying flat, hanging from a peg or in a counter unit. Shelf depth, peg spacing and how many units a retailer wants per facing can all affect the best carton size.
Where a product comes in several sizes, we keep the same style and specification and change only the dimensions, so the range stays consistent on the shelf.
Materials & finishing
Retail board and what it does
Retail cartons are mostly printed paperboard; corrugated is used for display units and larger or heavier products. Figures are typical ranges that vary by mill, and we confirm the board on your quotation.
| Specification | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Folding boxboard (FBB) | Typically 300–400 GSM | Stiff for its weight with a bright coated surface. The usual board for cosmetics, supplements and food cartons. |
| Solid bleached board (SBS) | Typically 250–400 GSM | White throughout with clean cut edges, for premium cartons and very fine print. |
| Kraft board | Typically 300–400 GSM | A natural brown surface for one- or two-colour designs and natural or artisan brands. |
| E flute corrugated | About 1.5 mm | For counter display units, larger cartons and retail packs that also have to survive delivery. |
Finishes
- Matt lamination
- Gloss lamination
- Soft-touch lamination
- Foil blocking
- Embossing and debossing
- Spot UV
- Window patching
Options
Options you can specify
Printing
- Full-colour CMYK
- Pantone spot colours matched across a range
- Inside printing
- One- or two-colour print on kraft
Display features
- Hanging tabs with euro slot or round hole
- Die-cut windows with or without film
- Tear-away display fronts
- Counter display units
Inserts
- Card platforms
- Neck and bottle holders
- Dividers for multi-packs
- Cradles that tilt the product towards the customer
Finishing
- Lamination to resist shelf scuffing
- Foil-blocked logos and product names
- Embossing on logos
- Spot UV against a matt background
Applications
Retail packaging by product type
Cosmetics and beauty
Carton families for serums, creams and lip products with soft-touch lamination and foil, matched across every size.
Health and supplements
Crash-lock cartons around bottles and tubs, with clear space for directions and product information.
Food and confectionery
Window cartons and printed boxes for chocolate, biscuits and treats, with board chosen for how the food is packed.
Candles and home fragrance
Cartons with an insert that holds the jar, often with foil blocking on the lid panel.
Sports and fitness accessories
Hanging tab and window cartons for grips, supports, bottles and small equipment.
Toys, games and gifts
Window boxes and display cartons that let the customer see the product before buying.
Tea and coffee
Printed cartons and counter display units for tea, pods and coffee bags.
Compare
Retail packaging or e-commerce packaging?
| Feature | Retail packaging | E-commerce packaging |
|---|---|---|
| Main job | Sell from a shelf, peg or counter | Protect in transit and brand the delivery |
| Typical material | Printed paperboard | Corrugated board |
| Seen by | Shoppers in store, at arm's length | The customer who opens the parcel |
| Priority details | Front panel, barcode, information panels | Fit, closure, inside print, inserts |
| Common styles | Tuck end, crash-lock, window, display units | Roll-end tuck front mailers, slotted cartons |
How to choose
How to choose your retail packaging
Design the front panel for arm's length
Product name, brand and the main benefit belong on the front, large enough to read from a metre away. Variant, size and secondary information go on the sides.
Leave room for the back panel
The back carries the barcode, ingredients or specifications, directions and any text your product needs. Plan it into the layout from the start.
Match the closure to the product
Tuck ends suit light products; crash-lock bases suit jars, bottles and heavier items. A hanging tab changes where the carton's strength needs to be.
Add a window only when it sells
A window earns its place when the product sells on colour or texture. Otherwise it weakens the carton and takes space from your artwork.
Pick a finish that suits the price
Soft-touch and foil for premium, gloss for bright ranges, kraft for natural positioning. Lamination also protects the print from scuffing on the shelf.
Think about the retailer
Ask whether your stockist has requirements for shelf-ready trays, case counts or display units, and include them in your quote request.
In detail
Retail details that make a difference
Barcodes that scan first time
Print barcodes in a single dark ink on a light background, with a clear quiet zone around them, on a flat panel away from folds and windows.
A carton that stands square
Structural fit matters as much as graphics. A carton that stands square and closes cleanly reads as a better product.
Consistent colour across a range
Pantone spot colours keep a brand colour consistent across every carton size and every reprint, which matters when a range sits side by side on a shelf.
Finished work
Retail Packaging we have made
Sleeve and Slipcase Boxes
Retail Packaging questions
Questions buyers ask
Anything not covered here, put it in the notes on your quote and we will answer it directly.
Ask on your quoteWhich carton style should I choose for retail?
For most light products a straight or reverse tuck end is the most economical. For heavy or glass products choose a crash-lock base. For peg display add a hanging tab. If you are unsure, tell us what the product is and how it is sold.
What board weight do I need?
Most retail cartons use 300–400 GSM board. Small light items can use the lower end; larger cartons and heavier contents need heavier board. We confirm the board with your quotation.
Can I have a window in my retail box?
Yes. Die-cut windows can be left open or patched with clear film. We position the window so the carton keeps its strength.
Do you make counter display units?
Yes. Counter display units are printed trays and boxes, usually in E flute corrugated or heavy board, sized to hold your product and fit by the till or on a shelf edge.
Can you match the retail packaging I already use?
Yes. Send a sample or the dimensions and specification of your current carton, and we will reproduce the structure and improve it where you want changes.
What is the minimum order for retail packaging?
The minimum order is 50 boxes. Unit cost falls as quantity rises, so ask for two or three quantities on your quote request if you are deciding.
How long does a retail packaging order take?
It depends on the style, finishes and quantity. Tell us your required delivery date, especially if it is tied to a retailer launch, and our team will confirm whether the timing is achievable.
Can I see a sample before production?
You approve a digital proof showing your artwork on the dieline before production. Ask about sample options when you request your quotation.
Ready to specify your packaging?
Our team replies during business hours, 10:00–18:00 UK time.