Custom Trainer Boxes

Board Strength for Stacking and Shipping

Most trainer boxes are made from E-flute corrugated board, a thin fluted card that is light but surprisingly strong. It keeps sharp corners when stacked and does not crush easily in transit. For brands sending boxes straight to customers without an outer carton, a B-flute or a double-layer lid adds extra protection.

Rigid board, the thick greyboard used for luxury gift boxes, is an option for very high-end launches or collector editions. It is heavier and costs more to post, so it usually suits limited quantities rather than core stock.

A kraft outer gives a raw, streetwear look, while a white outer shows bright colours more vividly. Either can be printed inside as well as out.

Sizing a Box for Trainers

Trainer boxes are normally sized by shoe size band rather than one box per size. A pair of adult trainers in a typical size 8 to 10 fits a box of roughly 330 by 210 by 120 mm. Larger sizes and chunky basketball or hiking styles need more length and height, often 360 by 230 by 135 mm or more. Children's sizes fit comfortably in boxes around 250 by 170 by 100 mm.

Measure the heel-to-toe length of your largest shoe in each band with tissue and any inserts in place, then add around 10 mm to the length and width. For high-tops, measure the collar height with the laces tied as you would pack them. We can draw up a set of sizes so your whole range uses two or three boxes rather than one per size.

Keep an eye on weight as well as fit. A heavy pair of boots in a box that is slightly too large will slide about and dent the corners, while a snug box spreads the load across all four walls. If your range includes slides or sandals, a shallower box of around 80 mm high saves space and postage. Our steps for measuring a shoe for a box cover heel height and sole width.

Printing for Impact

Sneaker packaging can be loud. Full-colour print across every face of the lid, bold colour blocks, oversized logos and printed inside walls all suit the category. If your brand is more understated, a single colour on kraft with a small foil logo on the lid can feel just as considered.

Use the end panel well. In stockrooms and on collectors' shelves, the end of the box is often the only side visible, so it should carry the brand, model name, colourway and size. A printed size and style label area saves you sticking separate labels on every box.

Inside the lid is a good place for a short message, a pattern or a nod to the story behind the drop. Matt laminate keeps print looking clean and resists scuffs; spot gloss or foil on the logo adds contrast without much extra cost. Matt, gloss and soft-touch are shown on the same artwork in our the three finishes compared guide.

Extras Buyers Notice

Small details lift a trainer box above the standard. Printed tissue paper wrapped around the pair, a spare lace pack in a branded bag, a care card and a reusable dust bag all make the box feel complete. A thumb notch on the base side makes the lid easier to lift, and a double-wall rim keeps the box rigid when opened and closed repeatedly.

For collaborations, numbered boxes or a printed authenticity card with the drop name and number help collectors and resellers prove what they have.

Think about how the pair sits inside, too. Shoes packed toe to heel with a paper wrap between them stay cleaner than shoes thrown in side by side, and a simple card divider or a pair of shaped shoe forms helps the uppers keep their shape on long journeys. If you include spare laces or a keyring, a small printed pocket glued inside the lid keeps them from rattling around and getting lost when the box is opened in a hurry. Labels releasing a cap with the shoe match the print on our cap boxes for the same drop.

Pick Your Size Bands Before the Artwork

Trainer boxes are rarely made per shoe size; most labels run two or three size bands, and getting those bands right matters more than the print. Measure your largest shoe in each band, length, width at the sole and height at the heel, and tell us the bands and the quantity in each. Then choose lift-off, flip-top or drawer by how the box is used: lift-off for stockrooms that stack, flip-top for shipping, drawer for limited editions. Say whether the box ships inside an outer carton, because that changes the board grade. Artwork covers every panel, including the end panel with the size label and the inside of the lid, so send vector files and a layout for the end label; the free proof shows all of it. A custom quote comes by email within one working day, minimums are low and quoted per job so a first drop does not fill a warehouse, and boxes are made in 4 to 7 working days after approval with free tracked UK mainland delivery. A plainer, unprinted look is on our kraft shoe boxes for a plainer look page.