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Box Style Guide

Not sure which box style is right for your product? This guide covers the most common packaging styles, what they're best for, and the trade-offs of each. Tap any style to learn more.

Straight Tuck End (STE)

Also called: Tuck top, tuck bottom

Best for: Cosmetics, supplements, small retail products, pharmaceuticals

Both the top and bottom flaps tuck in the same direction. Clean, professional look with a flush front panel. The most common folding carton style — simple to assemble and cost-effective to produce. Works well for lightweight to medium-weight products.

Advantages
Most affordable style
Easy hand assembly
Great print surface on all panels
Ideal for retail shelf display
Considerations
Not suitable for heavy products
Tuck flaps can open during shipping without a seal

Reverse Tuck End (RTE)

Also called: Opposite tuck

Best for: Food products, tea boxes, small electronics, candles

Top and bottom flaps tuck in opposite directions. This creates a more secure closure than straight tuck because the flaps interlock when the box is closed. Slightly more rigid feel than STE. Very popular for food and beverage packaging.

Advantages
More secure closure than STE
Interlocking flaps resist opening
Same cost as STE
Good shelf presence
Considerations
Slightly harder to assemble than STE
Still not ideal for heavy items

Auto-Bottom (Crash Lock)

Also called: Auto-lock bottom, snap-lock

Best for: Heavier products, bottles, jars, candles, food items, subscription boxes

The bottom folds flat for storage but snaps into a locked position when opened — no glue or tape needed. Provides a sturdy, reliable base that can support heavier products. Top closure is typically a tuck flap. Higher production cost than tuck end styles but significantly stronger.

Advantages
Strong bottom supports heavy items
Fast assembly — bottom locks automatically
Professional, secure feel
Reduces packing time
Considerations
Higher cost than tuck end styles
More complex dieline

Mailer Box (Roll End Tuck Top)

Also called: E-commerce box, RETT

Best for: E-commerce, subscription boxes, direct-to-consumer brands, gift boxes

A one-piece box with a front tuck closure and dust flaps. Designed for shipping — sturdy enough to protect products in transit while looking great when opened. The interior is fully visible when unboxed, making it ideal for branded unboxing experiences. Usually made from corrugated material.

Advantages
Great unboxing experience
One-piece — no separate lid
Strong enough for shipping
Interior printing available
Considerations
Bulkier than folding cartons
Higher cost per unit
Corrugated material only

Sleeve & Tray

Also called: Matchbox style, drawer box

Best for: Premium products, cosmetics, confectionery, tech accessories, gift sets

A two-piece design where an inner tray slides into an outer sleeve. Creates a slow, deliberate unboxing experience that feels premium. The sliding motion adds a tactile element. The sleeve provides a large, uninterrupted print surface for branding.

Advantages
Premium look and feel
Large branding surface on sleeve
Reusable — customers keep them
Excellent for gift packaging
Considerations
Two pieces = higher cost
Takes up more storage space
Slower to pack

Tray & Lid (Telescope)

Also called: Two-piece box, rigid-style

Best for: Apparel, jewellery, luxury goods, high-end retail, gift boxes

A separate base tray and a lid that fits over the top. The classic gift box shape. Can be made from folding carton or rigid board. When made from thick chipboard, this is the standard luxury box. Provides excellent product protection and a premium presentation.

Advantages
Classic, recognizable box shape
Very secure closure
Premium perception
Works for heavy items
Considerations
Two pieces increase cost
Requires more storage space
Rigid versions are significantly more expensive

Pillow Box

Also called: Pillow pack

Best for: Small gifts, jewellery, party favours, sample packs, promotional items

A curved, pillow-shaped box made from a single piece of card. The curved ends tuck in to close. Compact, lightweight, and distinctive — stands out on a shelf or counter. Best suited for small, lightweight items. Not ideal for products that need rigid protection.

Advantages
Unique, eye-catching shape
Very low cost
Easy to assemble
Great for samples and gifts
Considerations
Limited product protection
Not suitable for heavy or fragile items
Small size only

Display Box (Counter Display)

Also called: PDQ, point-of-purchase box

Best for: Retail counters, trade shows, impulse-buy products, samples

An open-front box designed to sit on a retail counter or shelf and display multiple products. The front panel is cut low so customers can easily see and grab the product. Often used for small items like lip balms, candy, sachets, or sample packs.

Advantages
Drives impulse purchases
Easy product access for customers
Great for retail and trade shows
Can hold multiple units
Considerations
Open front offers no product protection
Specific to retail/display use
Not for shipping

Gable Box (Carry Box)

Also called: Barn box, handled box

Best for: Bakeries, takeout food, gift packaging, party favours, meal kits

A box with a built-in carry handle formed by interlocking top flaps. No separate handle needed. Popular in food service and bakery packaging. Easy to carry and visually distinctive. The gable shape provides extra headroom inside the box.

Advantages
Built-in handle — easy to carry
No additional materials needed
Distinctive shape stands out
Great for food and gifts
Considerations
Handle limits stacking
Not suitable for very heavy items
More complex dieline

Six Corner Box

Also called: Hexagonal tuck, six-point box

Best for: Fragile items, electronics, supplements, heavy bottles

Features six folding points at the bottom that create a reinforced, sturdy base when assembled. Provides significantly more structural support than standard tuck end boxes. The bottom is more secure and resistant to pushing through. Ideal when you need folding carton convenience with extra strength.

Advantages
Very strong bottom construction
Better than tuck end for heavier items
Professional appearance
Cost-effective alternative to auto-bottom
Considerations
Slightly more complex assembly
Uses more material than basic tuck end

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