Custom Shoe Boxes

Measuring for a Proper Fit

Measure the largest pair you plan to put in each box, laid as they will sit: usually heel to toe, side by side and facing opposite directions. Note the length of the longer shoe, the width across both and the height at the tallest point, which may be the heel collar, the heel itself or the boot shaft. Include tissue, shoe trees or dust bags if you use them.

Add around 10 to 15 mm to length and width and a little headroom so the lid closes without pressing the toe. Most brands need two or three sizes to cover a range: perhaps one for smaller sizes, one for larger and a tall box for boots. Boxes that fit closely look better, protect the shoes and save space in stockrooms and parcels.

If you make shoes by hand and sizes vary, send us your largest and smallest pairs. We can suggest a size range that keeps the number of box sizes manageable.

Check the box against your heaviest style as well as your largest. Chunky soles and lug-soled boots can be surprisingly heavy, and a box that bows in the middle when lifted will need a thicker board or corrugated construction.

Boards From Everyday to Luxury

Folding boxboard is the standard for retail shoe boxes. It prints well, folds crisply and is light. For heavier footwear, or boxes that must survive stacking in a warehouse, E flute corrugated board adds strength. Kraft board gives a natural, workwear or outdoor feel and pairs well with a single bold ink colour.

Rigid boxes made from greyboard wrapped in printed or textured paper are the top tier. They feel substantial, have sharp corners and are almost always kept. They suit bespoke shoemakers, luxury brands and gift pairs. Black and dark coloured papers with foil logos are particularly popular for formal and evening footwear.

Print, Labels and the Inside of the Box

The lid carries your logo and is the face of the box. The end panels matter just as much in a stockroom, because shoe boxes are usually shelved end-out. A printed end panel with your logo and a clear space for a size and colour label lets staff and customers find the right pair quickly.

Inside the lid you can print care advice, a short story about how the shoes are made, or a simple thank-you. A patterned interior is a nice surprise when the box is opened. Tissue paper printed with your logo and a sticker seal complete the presentation.

Finishes such as matt or soft-touch lamination, foil stamping and embossing help a premium range feel the part. For everyday ranges, an uncoated kraft box with a confident one-colour logo can look just as deliberate.

For Cobblers and Small Workshops

Small shoemakers and repairers often assume custom boxes are only for large brands. In fact, low minimums make it practical to order a modest run of one or two sizes. A cobbler returning resoled shoes in a branded box, rather than a carrier bag, sends a strong message about the quality of the work.

If you only need a small number, choose a design that works across many jobs: logo on the lid, contact details on one end and a blank panel for the customer's name or repair note.

Bespoke makers often add a personal detail: the customer's initials foiled on a small card inside the lid, or a handwritten note about the leather and last used. These touches cost little and turn a box into part of the commission, something the customer keeps as proof of a pair made just for them.

Repairers can also use the box to explain aftercare, such as how long to let new soles settle or how often to polish, which brings customers back for their next repair.

Getting Your Shoe Boxes Made

Send your shoe measurements, preferred style, board and artwork. We email a custom quote within one working day, then a free design proof showing every panel of the box. Plan on 4–7 working days to make your custom shoe boxes after the proof is approved, plus 2–3 working days for free tracked delivery on the UK mainland. Minimums are low and quoted per job. If any boxes arrive misprinted or damaged, report it within 10 days for a reprint or refund. Prices start from £0.25 per box.