03 — Rigid boxes
Rigid gift boxes, wrapped by hand.
A greyboard core wrapped in printed paper, assembled by hand so the lid closes with a soft magnetic click. The format behind most premium beauty, spirits and gifting packaging.
Rigid boxes cannot be shipped flat — they are assembled, so freight volume is the real cost driver. We size the wall, wrap and insert together to remove dead space, and quote the shipping alongside the box.
Constructions
Four ways a rigid box opens.
Lid & base (two-piece)
Classic telescoping lid. Clean, quiet, and the most cost-efficient rigid construction.
Magnetic flap
Book-style lid held by concealed magnets — opens flat, reads like a presentation.
Shoulder-neck
An inner shoulder holds the lid above the base, leaving a visible band of colour.
Book-style with ribbon
Hinged spine and ribbon lift, used for press kits and limited editions.
Ribbon tie
Fabric tie instead of a magnet. Softer, more gift-like, common in confectionery.
Round & oval
Curved walls for candles, cosmetics and tea — assembled on dedicated formers.
Specifications
Wall, wrap and weight.
| Core | 1.5 / 2.0 / 2.5 / 3.0 mm greyboard |
|---|---|
| Wrap | 128–200 gsm art paper, specialty textured or printed stock |
| Closure | Lid and base, concealed magnet, ribbon tie, shoulder-neck |
| Inserts | Die-cut paperboard, EVA foam, moulded pulp, satin or flocked tray |
| Starting MOQ | 500 pieces |
| Lead time | 15–20 working days after sample approval |
| Packing | Assembled, nested and corner-protected in export cartons |
Finishing
What makes it feel expensive.
- 01
Soft-touch lamination
A velvet surface that absorbs light and resists fingerprints.
- 02
Hot foil & blind deboss
Foil registered into a deboss for a mark you can feel with a thumb.
- 03
Edge wrapping
Wrap turned cleanly inside the lid — the detail that separates a good box from a cheap one.
- 04
Interior finishing
Satin lining, flocked tray, ribbon bed or printed inner lid.
Questions
Rigid box FAQ.
Why is a rigid box so much more expensive than a folding carton?
Material and labour. A rigid box uses 1.5–3 mm greyboard plus a separate printed wrap, and every corner is turned by hand. It also ships assembled, so you pay freight on air. We will show you the cost breakdown rather than hide it in a single number.
Can rigid boxes be shipped flat to save freight?
No — the structure depends on the board being glued and wrapped in three dimensions. What we can do is reduce wall thickness where it is not structural, nest lids and bases, and design the insert so the box is not larger than the product requires.
How strong is the magnet closure?
Typically two 10 mm × 2 mm neodymium magnets for a 200 mm lid, positioned so the lid releases with a deliberate pull but does not open in a bag. We test the pull force on the sample and adjust before production.
Can you match a fabric or Pantone colour on the wrap?
Yes — we match to Pantone with a drawdown on the actual wrap stock, and can print a custom pattern. For fabric matches, send a physical swatch; screens are not reliable enough for a colour sign-off.
Rigid boxes
Start with a white dummy in your hands.
We build a structural sample first so you can feel the lid clearance and wall thickness before any artwork is applied. 5–7 working days.