Box structures we make
We build nine paper box structures from the same set of materials, so the structure decision is really a decision about how your product is presented and how much handling it needs. The lid paper box shown on this page (also called a lid and base, or top and bottom box) is the structure where a separate lid sits over a separate base.
| Structure | How it works | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Lid paper box (top and bottom) | Printed lid lifts off a printed base; both surfaces fully printable | Electronics, phone and accessory boxes, gift sets, toys |
| Top and bottom box with neck | Lid and base joined by a neck band, so the lid cannot fall off | Heavier gift items, tea and wine sets |
| Drawer box | Sliding tray inside a sleeve | Jewelry, watches, small gift sets |
| Book shape box | Hinged like a book, opens flat | Presentation sets, corporate gifts |
| Collapsible box | Ships flat, folds up by hand | Low-volume and gift-with-purchase runs |
| Double-side open box | Opens in two directions | Necklaces and long, flat items |
| Folding box | Single piece of board, creased and glued | Cosmetics, retail shelf packs |
| Corrugated box | Fluted board for strength | Shipping and mailer use |
| Plastic box | Moulded body, often with a printed wrap | Reusable and display packs |
How to choose a structure
Work from the product outward, in this order:
- Footprint and height. Lid boxes need clearance above the product for the lid skirt, so allow roughly 10-20 mm of internal height headroom. If the product is taller than it is wide, a lid box tips a lid less reliably than a neck box.
- Wall weight. A lid box can be built as a thin folding carton or as a rigid box with wrapped grey board. Thin folding versions are cheaper and stack flatter; rigid versions hold a shape on a shelf.
- Repeated opening. If the box will be opened and closed often in store, a neck box or a drawer box holds up better than a loose lid.
- Print coverage. A lid box gives you two fully printable faces plus the lid skirt, which is why it is the usual choice for electronics and phone packaging, where brand artwork carries the shelf presence.
If you are still deciding between a lid box and a drawer box, compare the lid and base box and drawer box ranges directly.
Specifications
| Item | Parameter |
|---|---|
| Structure | Lid and base (top and bottom); also available with neck, and as collapsible |
| Dimensions | Made to your dimensions – send internal or external measurements |
| Surface paper | Coated, fancy, kraft, art or black paper, 110 / 120 / 128 / 150 / 157 gsm (110 gsm is usual for fancy paper, 157 gsm for coated paper) |
| Board | Grey board, white paperboard, MDF or plastic; thickness advised against your box size |
| Inserts | EVA, blister, paperboard, PE foam or plastic holder; velvet, satin or other fabric lining, flocked |
| Printing | Four-color offset, silk screen, digital |
| Finishing | Glossy or matt lamination, UV spot coating, gold foil (hot stamping), embossing, sharp edge, press texture |
| Color | Pantone, CMYK |
| MOQ | 300 pcs standard; 500 pcs when the size or design is customized; 1,000 pcs with your logo, Pantone spot color or new moulding |
| Production time | 18-25 days for regular orders; 10-15 days for small runs; 25-30 days for soft-touch or special shapes |
| Service | OEM / ODM |
Printing & finishing
Because the lid is assembled after printing, this structure suits the cheapest effective option rather than the most elaborate one. Simple surface printing plus lamination is normally enough, and it is also the fastest route through our press: the box is machine-made rather than hand-wrapped, so a straightforward printed version runs at high output with little manual work. A printed inner panel or a printed inner card is a low-cost way to add a second branded surface.
Use gold foil stamping or embossing when the logo needs relief rather than color, and keep fine type and thin rules away from stamped areas, because they do not reproduce cleanly at stamping pressure.
Production & logistics
Before mass production we supply a die-cut drawing and, once your order is placed, a free pre-production sample confirmed by photo or video. Custom sample fees range from US$50 to US$210 depending on structure and finishing, and sampling takes 5-10 days.
We ship DDP door-to-door as standard with customs clearance and duty included; FOB Nansha and EXW Guangzhou are also available. Express takes 5-10 days, air freight 8-15 days, truck 30-35 days, rail 45-50 days and sea freight 40-60 days. This box ships flat or nested, which keeps freight volume – and therefore freight cost – down compared with a fully assembled rigid box.
See the full paper box range for other structures and materials.
FAQ
What is the minimum order quantity?
300 pcs for the standard version, 500 pcs when the size or design is customized, and 1,000 pcs when a logo, Pantone spot color or new moulding is required.
Can you print on both the lid and the base?
Yes. The lid, the lid skirt, the base and the inner card can each carry separate artwork or a plain color, all from the same print run.
Will the lid stay on during shipping?
A plain lid and base relies on friction, so for shipping we either increase the skirt depth, add a neck, or supply a corrugated outer carton. Tell us the transit route and we will recommend which of the three to use.
