Custom Rigid Boxes

What Makes a Box Rigid

A rigid box starts as sheets of greyboard, usually 1.5 to 2.5 mm thick, cut and taped into a fixed shape. That shell is then wrapped in paper which can be printed in full colour, dyed a solid colour, or textured. The result is a box that keeps its shape, does not flex in the hand and can be kept and reused long after the product is gone.

Rigid boxes are the natural choice for products where the first impression matters: jewellery, watches, premium skincare, spirits and corporate gifts. Because they are built rather than folded, they can have hinged lids, magnetic closures, drawers, ribbon pulls and fitted inserts that a folding box cannot.

Rigid Box Styles We Make

• Lid and base, where a separate lid lifts off a tray
• Hinged lid with a magnetic catch, also called a book box
• Drawer or sleeve box, where a tray slides from a wrapped sleeve
• Shoulder box, with a collar that shows between lid and base

Planning a Rigid Box

Rigid boxes take up more space in transit because they do not fold flat, so it pays to get the size right first time. Send the product size and tell us whether you want an insert; we size the box around both. For the hinged magnetic version see custom magnetic boxes.

How a Rigid Box Is Made

A rigid box is built by hand and machine in stages, which is why it feels different from a folding box:

1. Greyboard, usually 1.5 to 2.5 mm thick, is cut and scored for the lid and the base.
2. The corners are taped or stayed so each part holds a square shape.
3. Printed or coloured paper is glued and wrapped around each shell, folding in at the edges.
4. The inside is lined, and any insert or platform is fitted.
5. Foil, embossing or spot UV on the wrap is added before wrapping, so it sits exactly in place.

Because the paper wraps the board, every edge is covered and clean. Compare the boards behind each style in board and card types explained.

Lid Styles Compared

The lid decides how the box opens and how much of the base shows:

For a hinged lid with hidden magnets, see rigid boxes with magnetic closures.

Posting and Storing Rigid Boxes

Standard rigid boxes leave production built, so they take more room to store than folding styles. Plan space for them, and keep them in their outer cartons until use so the wrap stays clean.

A rigid box should travel inside an outer carton rather than on its own, because couriers scuff the wrap. A plain corrugated outer sized a few mm larger, with a little paper fill, keeps the corners sharp. If storage space is a concern, ask about collapsible versions, which arrive flat and fold into shape.

Popular Rigid Boxes Sizes

Internal sizes in mm. Rigid boxes are built to order around your product and insert.

Board

Rigid greyboard, chosen in thickness for the size of the box. The board is fully wrapped, so it never shows.

Wrap and Print

The wrap can be printed in full colour, printed in 1 or 2 colours, or left as a plain coloured paper. Inside the lid can be printed too.

Finish

Soft touch and matt lamination are the most popular. Foil and embossing on the logo add detail you can see and feel, and spot UV adds a gloss highlight.

Production and Delivery

Production takes 4–7 working days after you approve the free design proof. Rigid boxes with foil or embossing sit at the longer end of that window, and they are delivered assembled and nested where the sizes allow. Delivery to the UK mainland is free and tracked, and arrives in 2–3 working days once the boxes leave production. The tracking link comes to you by email.

Reprints and Refunds

Check the boxes when they arrive. If any are misprinted or damaged, report it within 10 days with a photo and we reprint or refund the boxes affected. Read the full returns and reprints policy.