Window patching
A die-cut window with clear film so the product is visible on shelf. Available in recyclable PLA film.
Packaging format
Custom Folding Cartons
A folding carton is a lightweight printed paperboard box that ships flat and folds at packing, used for retail shelf products such as cosmetics, supplements and packaged food.
- Starting at
- $0.45/unit
- Minimum
- 50
- Production
- 14days
Folding Cartons
The retail standard. Thin, printable, and built for shelf.
Folding cartons are the cheapest way to put a printed box around a product. They are made from a single sheet of paperboard, usually SBS for a bright white printable face or kraft for an unbleached natural look, then die-cut, printed, folded and glued.
They are designed for shelf. That means the front panel does the selling, the side panels carry the regulatory copy, and the whole thing has to survive being handled by strangers without looking tired. If your product is going into retail, this is almost certainly the format you need.
The two structural choices that matter are the closure and the bottom. Straight tuck-end is the cheapest and most common. Reverse tuck-end hides the closure better on the front face. Auto-bottom, also called crash-lock, costs more per unit but pops open in one motion, which pays for itself immediately if you are hand-packing thousands of units.
Finishes & upgrades
Ways to upgrade your folding cartons
Every option below is quoted per unit against your run size, so you can see exactly what each one costs before committing.
Metallic and specialty stocks
Metallised board or textured uncoated stock for a finish that stands out in a row of gloss.
Spot UV
Gloss varnish on selected areas over a matte laminate. A cheap way to create hierarchy on a busy panel.
Braille and compliance marking
Embossed braille and regulated panel layouts for pharmaceutical and OTC requirements.
Folding Cartons pricing
Adjust quantity and dimensions to see how the unit price moves. Volume discounts apply automatically.
250 units
5010,000
Estimate
$0.49/ unit
$121.88 total
Includes a 25% volume discount at 250+ units.
- Format
- Folding Carton
- Production
- 14 business days
- 3D mockup
- Included
- US shipping
- Free over $500
Estimate only. Final pricing depends on finish, material and artwork. Quotes are returned within one business day.
Learn more about folding cartons.
Industries using folding cartons
Folding Cartons, answered
What is the difference between a folding carton and a corrugated box?
A folding carton is a single layer of paperboard: thin, smooth and printable, made for retail shelf. A corrugated box has a fluted middle layer sandwiched between two liners, which makes it far stronger and suitable for shipping. Cartons present, corrugated protects.
How much do custom folding cartons cost?
Folding cartons start at $0.45 per unit, the lowest of any format we produce. Unit cost falls quickly with volume because the die and plates are a fixed setup cost spread across the run.
Can folding cartons be used for shipping?
Not on their own. Paperboard will not survive a carrier network unprotected. Cartons are normally shipped inside a corrugated mailer or shipping box, a pairing we can quote together.
Ready to quote your folding cartons?
Send us your product dimensions and quantity. We will come back with firm pricing, a recommended board spec and a free 3D mockup.
- 50-unit minimums
- Free 3D mockups
- 14-day production
- No design fees