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Custom Retention Boxes
Custom retention boxes hold a product tight against a corrugated frame with a sheet of stretchy film, so it floats inside the outer box with clear air on every side. They protect fragile tech, glassware and awkward shapes without loose fill, and we print the outer carton with your branding.
- Design proofFree, approved by you before printing
- PriceCustom quote by email within one working day
- Production4–7 working days after proof approval
- DeliveryFree and tracked, UK mainland, 2–3 working days
- Misprints or damageReported within 10 days, reprinted or refunded
How Retention Packaging Works
A retention box has two parts. The inner part is a corrugated frame with a tough, elastic film stretched across it. You place the product on the film, fold the frame's flaps underneath, and the film tightens around the item, pinning it firmly to the board. That frame then slides into an outer box, which is sized to leave a gap between the frame and the outer walls.
The result is a product that cannot shift and is held away from the outside of the box. If the parcel is dropped, the frame flexes and the gap absorbs the shock, so the force does not travel straight into the product. It is the same principle as a suspension system, and it works remarkably well for items that are fragile or oddly shaped.
Some designs use two frames, one above and one below the product, so the item is sandwiched between two sheets of film. This double retention style suits heavier or taller items, giving support from both sides and keeping the product centred even if the parcel is turned upside down. Others combine a retention frame with a lid that folds down over the top, so the whole assembly can be lifted out of the outer box as one neat unit. A close cousin is the air float boxes for fragile goods, which suspend items between two layers of film.
What Retention Boxes Protect Best
Retention packaging is ideal for products that are delicate, valuable or awkward to wrap. Electronic devices such as hard drives, small routers, smartphones and camera lenses are common candidates, as are glass items like perfume bottles, small vases and scientific instruments. Ceramics, medical devices and spare parts with fragile connectors also benefit.
Because the film grips any shape, a single size of retention frame can hold a range of different products. That flexibility makes it popular with businesses that ship many types of item in small quantities and do not want to design a custom insert for each one. For delicate items that need a fitted cradle instead, mailer boxes with fitted inserts are worth comparing.
- Hard drives, routers and small electronics
- Camera lenses and optical equipment
- Glass bottles, small vases and ornaments
- Ceramic items and handmade pottery
- Medical and laboratory devices
- Spare parts with fragile pins or connectors
Often ordered by
- Electronics retailers
- Camera and lens sellers
- Glassware and pottery makers
- Medical and laboratory suppliers
- Spare parts distributors
- Repair and refurbishment businesses
Popular Retention Boxes Sizes
Sizes are in mm. Every order is cut to your size, so any size between these rows is fine.
| Size | Often used for |
|---|---|
| Small device 200 x 150 x 100 mm outer | Hard drives, small routers and lenses |
| Medium device 300 x 220 x 120 mm outer | Small electronics and glass bottles |
| Large device 400 x 300 x 150 mm outer | Larger electronics and ceramics |
| Tall item 250 x 250 x 300 mm outer | Vases and tall glassware |
| Laptop-size 450 x 350 x 120 mm outer | Flat devices and tablets |
Not sure of the size? Send the product measurements and we work out the rest.
Styles
- Retention frame with outer slotted carton
- Retention frame with printed mailer
- Double retention frame for larger items
- Retention frame with tray lid
Materials
- E flute corrugated frame
- B flute corrugated frame
- Stretch polyethylene film
- Single or double wall outer box
- One or two colour flexo on outer box
- Full colour digital on outer box
- Inside lid print
Finishes
- Natural kraft
- White outer liner
- Matt varnish
Extras
- Self-seal strips
- Tear strips
- Thicker film for heavy items
- Card protectors for sharp edges
See the board and finish guide for what each option looks like.
Production and Delivery
Production takes 4–7 working days after you approve the free design proof. Delivery to the UK mainland is free and tracked, and arrives in 2–3 working days once the order leaves production. The tracking link comes to you by email.
Reprints and Refunds
Check the order when it arrives. If anything is misprinted or damaged, report it within 10 days with a photo and we reprint or refund the items affected. Read the full returns and reprints policy.
Need it by a date?
Tell us the date with your sizes and we plan the proof and production around it.
Retention Boxes Specification
| Style | Retention frame with outer slotted carton, Retention frame with printed mailer, Double retention frame for larger items, Retention frame with tray lid |
|---|---|
| Material | E flute corrugated frame, B flute corrugated frame, Stretch polyethylene film, Single or double wall outer box |
| One or two colour flexo on outer box, Full colour digital on outer box, Inside lid print | |
| Finish | Natural kraft, White outer liner, Matt varnish |
| Extras | Self-seal strips, Tear strips, Thicker film for heavy items, Card protectors for sharp edges |
| Size | Made to your size in mm |
| Minimum order | Low, quoted per job |
| Price | From £0.25 a box; custom quote by email within one working day |
| Proof | Free design proof before printing |
| Production | 4–7 working days after proof approval |
| Delivery | Free tracked UK mainland delivery, 2–3 working days |
Why Businesses Switch From Loose Fill
Bubble wrap, air pillows and polystyrene chips all have a place, but they come with drawbacks. They take up space in the warehouse, they make packing slow and messy, and they can settle during transit so the product ends up touching the box wall. Customers often dislike having to deal with a pile of loose fill when they open a parcel.
Retention boxes are fast to pack once staff have done a few, and they leave a tidy unboxing: the customer lifts out the frame, unfolds the flaps and the product is right there. Many firms find that the time saved at the packing bench, and the reduction in breakages, quickly justify the change.
There is also a storage benefit. Retention frames and outer boxes are delivered flat and stack neatly on a shelf, while loose fill and air pillows take up a surprising amount of warehouse space. For small businesses packing from a spare room or a compact unit, that difference is often what convinces them to switch. Glassware and ceramics sellers also use fragile mailer boxes with protective walls for the same reason.
Sizing the Frame and the Outer Box
The frame should be large enough that the product sits within it with some film around the edges. As a guide, allow at least 20 to 30 mm of film on each side of the item, which gives the film enough stretch to grip. The outer box is then sized to leave a gap of about 25 to 50 mm between the frame and the box walls, depending on how fragile the product is.
For very fragile items, a larger gap gives more shock absorption. For lighter or less sensitive products, a smaller gap keeps the overall parcel size down and reduces delivery costs. If you are unsure, send us the product dimensions and weight and we will suggest frame and outer box sizes. Larger frames usually sit inside regular slotted shipping cartons sized to the frame.
Board, Film and Outer Box Options
The frame is usually made from E or B flute corrugated board, stiff enough to hold the film taut. The film itself is a tough, stretchy polyethylene that grips without leaving marks on most surfaces. For heavier products, a thicker film and a stronger frame board keep the item secure.
The outer box can be a regular slotted carton for trade shipments or a printed mailer box for direct-to-consumer orders. Printing the outer box with your logo and a short message gives a professional look, while a plain outer with a printed label keeps costs down for business-to-business deliveries.
If your products go back and forth for repair or calibration, choose a slightly heavier frame board so it survives several journeys without the creases weakening.
Packing Tips for Retention Boxes
Place the product in the centre of the film, with the heaviest part towards the middle of the frame. Fold the flaps underneath firmly so the film pulls tight, and check that the item does not move when you shake the frame gently. Slide the frame into the outer box and close it with tape or a self-seal strip.
If you ship a range of products in the same size of frame, a quick visual guide on the packing bench showing where each product sits on the film helps new staff pack consistently. For items with sharp edges, a small piece of card between the product and the film stops it from puncturing. Our guide to choosing a box style helps if you are deciding between retention and an insert.
Ordering Retention Boxes
Send us your product dimensions and weight, whether you want the outer box printed and how many sizes you need. We will reply by email with a custom quote within one working day, recommending frame and outer box sizes for your products. Minimum quantities are kept low and quoted per job. If you can, post us a sample product or tell us its most fragile point, so the frame size and film tension can be planned around it.
A free design proof for the printed outer box comes before production. After approval, we make the boxes in 4 to 7 working days, and free tracked delivery to UK mainland addresses takes 2 to 3 working days. If anything arrives damaged or misprinted, tell us within 10 days for a reprint or refund.
Design Your Retention Box
Choose the retention boxes photo closest to what you have in mind, add your logo, drag it into place and set the size. Send it with your sizes and we reply with a custom quote and a free design proof.
Drag the logo, or select it and use the arrow keys (Shift moves faster, + and − resize).
Related Products
Other packaging that is often ordered alongside retention boxes.
Air Float Boxes
Custom air float boxes suspend a fragile item between layers of foam so it never touches the outer walls, which is what stops…
Fragile Mailer Boxes
Custom fragile mailer boxes are printed mailers built for breakable things: heavier corrugated board, fitted inserts that hold…
Mailer Boxes with Inserts
Mailer boxes with inserts combine a strong, printed corrugated mailer with a card or foam insert cut around your products.
Regular Slotted Containers
Custom regular slotted containers are the plain-speaking workhorse of the warehouse: four equal flaps top and bottom that meet…
Retention Boxes Questions
What buyers ask before ordering retention boxes.
How does a retention box protect a product?
A stretchy film holds the product tight against a corrugated frame, which sits inside an outer box with a gap all round. The gap and the flexing frame absorb shocks before they reach the item.
Can one frame size hold different products?
Yes, the film grips a range of shapes, so one frame size can hold several products. That flexibility is one of the main advantages over custom inserts.
Will the film mark my product?
The film is designed to grip without leaving marks on most surfaces. If your product has a delicate finish, test a sample first or add a thin protective sleeve.
How big a gap should there be inside the outer box?
Around 25 to 50 mm between the frame and the box walls is typical. More fragile items benefit from a larger gap.
Is retention packaging faster than bubble wrap?
Once staff are familiar with it, yes. There is no cutting or taping of wrap, and the product is secured in a few movements.
Can the outer box be printed with our logo?
Yes, the outer box can be a printed mailer or a slotted carton with one or two colour print. Plain outers are also available for trade shipments.
Can retention boxes hold heavy items?
They can, with a thicker film and a stronger frame. Tell us the weight and we will recommend the right combination.
What if my product has sharp edges?
Place a small piece of card between the sharp edge and the film to prevent punctures. We can include card protectors with your order.
Can customers reuse retention boxes?
Yes, the frame and film can be reused if handled carefully, which makes them useful for repair services that send items back and forth.
How are retention boxes priced?
Price depends on frame size, film, outer box and print. We send a custom quote by email within one working day.
Do you make retention boxes for laptops?
Yes, larger flat frames suit laptops and tablets. Send us the device dimensions and we will size the frame and outer box.
Get a Price for Your Retention Boxes
Fill in as much as you know. Sizes are in mm (internal sizes for boxes). If you have artwork, attach it; if not, a logo is enough to start the proof.
We reply with a custom quote by email within one working day, then send a free design proof before anything is printed.
- Phone+44 7578 382054
- WhatsAppMessage us
- Emailinfo@shopcustomboxes.co.uk
- HoursMonday to Friday, 9 am to 5.30 pm UK time
- OfficeOffice 704, 85 Dunstall Hill, Wolverhampton, WV6 0SR