Custom Paperboard Boxes
Most of the packaging on a retail shelf is paperboard, and for good reason. It is light, it prints well, it ships flat and it costs less than every alternative that does the same job, which makes it the default until a product's weight or fragility rules it out.
Bulk pricing
From $0.38 per unit
At a 50 unit minimum. Final price depends on size, material, and finishing.
Key Takeaway
Paperboard boxes, also called folding cartons, are the single most used format in retail packaging. They ship flat, assemble at packing, print in full colour across every panel and cover most products under a few pounds. Board choice is the main variable: SBS for bright print, kraft for a natural look, and recycled board where the material story matters. Half Price Packaging orders start at 50 units, with 100 or more required for specialty rigid formats. Production runs from about 7 business days, plus 2 to 5 business days for delivery. Call (866) 225-2112.
Half Price Packaging prints paperboard boxes in tuck end, seal end, auto bottom and custom die cut constructions, in SBS, kraft and recycled board. Orders start at 50 units, with 100 or more required for specialty rigid formats. Call (866) 225-2112 with your product dimensions and weight.
Board types and what each one is for
SBS is a bleached board with a smooth white surface, and it is the choice when print quality is the priority. Kraft board gives a natural brown surface that suits unbleached and artisan positioning.
Recycled board carries the material story at the cost of some print brightness. All three take the same constructions, so the board is a separate decision from the box style.
Constructions and how they assemble
Straight tuck and reverse tuck end cartons are the everyday choice, folded by hand in a few seconds. Auto bottom cartons pop into shape and set up faster, which pays back on a high volume packing line.
Seal end cartons are glued closed and suit products that need a secure, tamper apparent pack. Custom die cut shapes are possible on any board and add a tooling step on the first run.
Caliper, weight and knowing the limit
Board caliper sets how much weight the carton holds and how it feels in the hand. Too thin and the panels bow, too thick and it costs more than the product needs and folds poorly.
Paperboard has a practical weight ceiling. Above it, corrugated or rigid is the right answer. Send the packed weight so the recommendation is made against the real product rather than a category assumption.
Printing, coatings and finishes
Full colour printing across every panel is standard. Coatings change both look and durability: gloss lifts colour, matte reduces glare and shows fingerprints less, and soft touch adds a tactile quality.
Foil stamping, embossing, spot gloss and windows all work on paperboard. Name the finishes at quote stage, since each carries a cost and a lead time implication.
Quantities, versions and quoting
Orders start at 50 units, with 100 or more required for specialty rigid formats. Folding cartons run at the lower minimum, and each printed version carries its own, so count versions before totals.
For a quote, send the product dimensions and packed weight, the construction, the board, the finishes, the quantity per version and the destination. Call (866) 225-2112 to start.
Frequently asked questions
What is a paperboard box?
A paperboard box, also called a folding carton, is a printed board box that ships flat and is assembled at packing. It is the most used format in retail packaging because it is light, prints well across every panel and costs less than the alternatives.
Which board should I choose?
SBS is a bleached board with a smooth white surface for the best print quality. Kraft gives a natural brown surface for unbleached positioning. Recycled board carries the material story at the cost of some print brightness.
How much weight can a paperboard box hold?
It depends on caliper and construction, and there is a practical ceiling. Above it, corrugated or rigid is the right answer. Send the packed weight so the recommendation is made against your real product rather than a category assumption.
Which construction assembles fastest?
Auto bottom cartons pop into shape and set up fastest, which pays back on a high volume packing line. Tuck end cartons fold by hand in a few seconds and cost less. Seal end cartons are glued closed for a tamper apparent pack.
What is the minimum order for custom paperboard boxes?
Orders start at 50 units, with 100 or more required for specialty rigid formats. Folding cartons run at the lower minimum. Each printed version carries its own minimum, so count versions before deciding the total quantity.
How long do custom paperboard boxes take?
Production runs from about 7 business days, depending on the product, quantity and finishing, plus 2 to 5 business days for delivery. Foil, embossing and window patching add steps, so confirm against your exact specification.
Why buyers order from Half Price Packaging
- Orders start at 50 units, with 100 or more for specialty rigid formats
- Free design assistance and a digital proof approved by you before production
- Free shipping across the US
- Size guides and spec tables published from real production data
- Production runs from about 7 business days, depending on the product, quantity, and finishing, plus 2 to 5 business days for delivery
- Talk to a packaging specialist at (866) 225-2112
Related products
Further reading
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