A cashmere scarf in a tissue-lined rigid box and the same scarf folded into a plastic sleeve are, technically, the same product. To the customer opening them, they are two different brands.
Boxes carry a brand into the customer’s home and often stay there long after the garment has been unpacked. As a packaging and label manufacturer, we help fashion brands choose boxes that suit the product, the sales channel and the way orders are shipped. This guide works through that choice in the order we usually discuss it with clients.
Question one: how will the box travel?
Before choosing a style, ask how the box reaches the customer.
- Handed over in a shop – the box can be premium and rigid, because a paper bag protects it on the way home.
- Shipped to a home address – the box either has to be strong enough to post on its own, or it needs an outer carton.
- Given as a gift – presentation and reuse matter most.
The five constructions
| Construction | Made from | Impression | Typical products | Delivered flat? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigid lid and base | Greyboard wrapped in paper | Solid, premium | Shirts, knitwear, scarves, gift sets | No |
| Magnetic closure | Rigid box, hinged lid, hidden magnets | Luxurious, reusable | Accessories, leather goods, limited editions | Usually no; foldable versions exist |
| Drawer and sleeve | Rigid or card tray in a sleeve | Slow, elegant reveal | Ties, belts, socks, jewellery, underwear | Card versions yes |
| Mailer | Corrugated board, tuck-in lid | Sturdy, practical | Online orders, subscriptions | Yes |
| Folding carton | Single-layer boxboard | Light, economical | Small accessories, multipacks, display | Yes |
Rigid and magnetic boxes
A rigid box, also called a set-up box, is made from thick greyboard wrapped in printed or coloured paper. It does not fold, keeps a perfect shape and feels substantial in the hand. The magnetic version adds a hinged lid with magnets hidden under the wrap, and the soft closing click becomes part of the experience. Customers keep these boxes, which keeps your logo in view. Both arrive assembled, so plan storage space and outer cartons for transport.
Drawer boxes
A tray slides out of a sleeve, often with a ribbon pull. It suits long, flat items and creates a gradual reveal. Rigid drawer boxes feel premium; card versions ship flat and save space.
Mailer boxes
Corrugated mailers are strong enough to post without an outer carton, arrive flat and fold by hand without glue. Print outside identifies the parcel on the doorstep; print inside adds a moment when the lid opens. For many online brands, a printed mailer with tissue and a sticker inside makes a stronger first impression than a rigid box hidden in a plain shipping carton, and it is lighter to send.
Getting the size right
Measure the product folded exactly as it will be packed, then add a few millimetres on each side for tissue paper and easy handling. Too large and the product slides around; too tight and folds are crushed. Aim for as few sizes as possible: one for folded tops and knitwear, one for accessories, one for sets. We recommend testing a plain sample box with the real product before bulk production.
Inserts that hold things in place
- Die-cut card inserts for belts, wallets or caps
- Moulded paper pulp for heavier or fragile items
- Fabric- or paper-covered foam for jewellery and metal accessories
- Card platforms that keep a folded garment flat
- Ribbon tabs to lift the product or drawer
For folded garments, a simple platform with tissue usually beats a complex insert. Every extra part adds packing time, and a box that is quick to pack is packed neatly every time. A short packing instruction with a photo of the finished box, kept next to the packing table, keeps every parcel consistent.
Finishes
Rigid box wraps can be printed, through-coloured or textured. Popular finishes include matt or soft-touch lamination, hot foil logos, embossing or debossing, spot UV on a matt surface, and print inside the lid for a pattern or message. Mailers are usually printed in one or two colours on white or kraft board.
Designing the unboxing as a sequence
- Outer box or mailer with your logo, sealed with a sticker or branded tape
- Tissue paper in your brand colour, folded over the product
- A logo sticker from our stickers and packaging labels range closing the tissue
- The garment, neatly folded, with its hang tag and woven label visible
- A card with a thank-you note, care tip or QR code
Repeating the same Pantone colours on box, tissue, sticker, tag and label makes the package feel intentional. Because we manufacture all of these items, colours can be matched across the set.
Ordering
Send us the product and its folded dimensions, your preferred construction, your logo as a vector file and the finishes you have in mind. We suggest a construction and size, prepare a digital proof typically within 24–48 hours and can make a sample box before production. Minimum quantities depend on construction and size and are confirmed with your quote. Production typically takes 10–20 working days after approval, with delivery across the EU from Bulgaria. See the full range on our custom boxes page.
Frequently asked questions
Which box is best for an online clothing shop?
A printed corrugated mailer is usually the most practical choice. It ships without an outer carton, arrives flat for storage and can be printed inside and out.
Can rigid boxes be delivered flat?
Classic rigid boxes arrive assembled. Foldable rigid and magnetic versions exist if storage space is limited; ask us which constructions suit your product.
Can I see a sample box before ordering?
Yes. We can produce a sample box so you can test the fit with your real product and approve the finish before production.
Can the box match my labels and tissue paper?
Yes. We produce boxes, tissue paper, stickers and labels, and match colours across the whole set using Pantone references.
