Custom Subscription Boxes

Sizing for Changing Contents

Subscription contents change, so size the box for your typical month rather than one unusual item. List the largest products you expect to send and lay them out together. Measure the length, width and height of that arrangement, then add a little room for tissue or paper fill. That gives you an internal size that will suit most months.

Postage matters too. If your box can stay under the large letter or small parcel limits used by your carrier, you can save a noticeable amount on every delivery. We can help you hit a target depth, for example keeping a box shallow enough for letterbox delivery while still fitting a few products side by side.

Board, Inserts and Finishes

Most subscription boxes are made from E-flute or B-flute corrugated board with a white or kraft outer face. E-flute is thin and prints sharply, which suits beauty and lifestyle boxes. B-flute gives extra crush strength for heavier contents such as candles, jars or drinks. For boxes that will be kept and reused, a thicker board or a rigid box with a lid is worth the extra spend.

Inserts keep products in their places and make the unboxing look arranged. A simple card insert with cut-outs works for fixed items, while a divided tray suits boxes where the products change but the shapes stay similar. Finishes are usually matt or gloss lamination for printed boxes, with soft-touch reserved for higher-priced memberships. Spot UV on a logo, or foil on the lid, can lift a plain design without full coverage.

Inside Printing and the Reveal

Printing inside the box is one of the most effective upgrades for a subscription. A message under the lid, a pattern across the inside walls or a short note about the month's theme gives members something to see the moment they open the flaps. Because the outside is often handled by couriers and gets scuffed, keeping the strongest artwork inside is a sensible choice.

You can also use the inside to explain what is in the box, list the products by name, or point members to your website for recipes, tutorials or account settings. Keep any monthly details on a separate printed card so the box design stays useful from one month to the next.

Getting the Packing Line Right

Once members start to grow, packing day becomes a real job, and the box design can speed it up or slow it down. Mailer boxes with a tuck front and dust flaps fold up in seconds without tape, and they arrive flat so a stack of a few hundred fits in a corner. Boxes that need gluing or taping by hand are fine for small numbers but quickly become a bottleneck.

An insert with clearly shaped cut-outs also helps whoever is packing, because there is only one way each product can go. If you use paper fill or tissue, decide on the amount early and size the box so it closes cleanly without forcing the lid. A lid that bows outward looks untidy in photos and can pop open in transit.

Finally, think about the shipping label. Leave a clear, unprinted area on the lid or a side panel where the label sits, so it never covers your logo or a key message. A small printed return address panel can also save time if you handle your own returns.

How We Work With Subscription Brands

Send us your product list, your expected monthly volume and how you send the boxes. We reply with a custom quote by email within one working day, set up a dieline and send a free design proof showing the inside and outside. You can approve, ask for changes, or request a sample before committing to a full run.

Production then takes 4–7 working days, followed by free tracked UK mainland delivery in 2–3 working days. If any boxes arrive misprinted or damaged, report it within 10 days and we will reprint or refund them. Minimums are low and quoted per job, so new subscription businesses can start small and scale, with prices from £0.25 a box depending on size and print.