What are personalized boxes? A complete guide
A custom box is a product designed specifically for a business to meet its specific packaging needs.
What are personalized boxes?
Customized boxes need today’s businesses to connect with people to promote brands. Custom printed boxes first appeared in the 1800s, using lightweight cardboard boxes similar to those used today to package their flaked cereals. Based on these results, it was the first company to use cereal bricks made from cardboard boxes. In summary, custom packaging boxes are specially designed to meet the needs of the business. Additionally, to impress customers with excellent graphics, ensure product safety, complement advertising strategies and build brand loyalty. However, the customer can request specific shapes, sizes, materials, colors and styles when ordering a custom box. In most cases, the product will determine the customization needed.
Now let’s dig deeper and find out more about personalized boxes and what they offer.
How are personalized boxes produced?
Custom boxes are usually made of many materials, but here are the main packaging options in manufacturing materials:
- Corrugated cardboard: A laminated cardboard flute in the middle protects the main product, representing a cushioning effect. However, there is an option of single wall or double wall construction, depending on the fragility of the product.
- SBS (Solid Bleached Sulfate) Board: SBS stands for Solid Bleached Sulfate, the highest quality and most expensive board substrate. SBS is produced from bleached virgin wood pulp and can be used as a moisture barrier in liquid and food packaging as well as premium packaging where printed image quality is required.
While you know the main material used in making custom boxes, let’s dive into the manufacturing process.
Graphics and design
Design and graphics are the preferred steps before starting the manufacturing process.
Overall, companies want to appeal to their customers through their packaging. WCB offers a custom design configurator to help customers create a design based on their desired design and graphic elements. Therefore, designers suggested thicker or bolder fonts for readable prints. This is because this ensures that fine details such as serif fonts, which are quite subtle, are not lost when printed.
Impression
Secondly, printing is one of the most essential elements for custom packaging. Then you can choose the type of printing you want based on the specific needs of your business.
1. Digital printing
Digital printing is an alternative to traditional methods, such as lithography and flexography, because it is fast. Conversely, it eliminates many of the physical steps required in conventional printing. Likewise, it is also ideal for short to medium runs. Instead, prints can be directly applied to the corrugated cardboard and there is no need to mix different ink colors.
One of the disadvantages of digital printing is that it does not provide economies of scale like analog printing methods, so it does not become more affordable as volume increases.
2. Impression lithographique
A unique process of mounting offset lithographic printing onto corrugated cardboard. After lamination, the manufacturer will cut the box to the final dimensions. Additionally, this technique is ideal for creating very detailed and high-resolution graphics. Likewise, it gives you many options and flexibility regarding images, colors and finishes. Unfortunately, litho lamination is the most expensive printing technique, which is why suppliers recommend it for projects numbering in the thousands.
3. Flexographic printing
The most common printing method for corrugated boxes is flexible printing, with its plate attached to a large rotating cylinder. The design of the plate is printed on the cardboard as it is introduced into the machine.
An ideal method for edge-to-edge printing, spray coating and custom text-based designs is also choosing line art with only one or two colors.
Flexographic printing is not recommended for designs with complex graphics and many different colors. This can be expensive due to the number of printing plates needed for colors.
One of the main disadvantages of flexo printing is the “minimum dot”. The small halftone dots of flexographic plates, made of a thick, flexible polymer substance, cannot be reliably reproduced on cardboard. These dots print more significantly than what is on the plate, a condition known as dot enlargement. For this reason, there is a threshold: the minimum point. The practical result is a restricted tonal range that can be printed.
Types of Custom Boxes
Below are the types of custom boxes you can choose from based on your industry:
1) PO Boxes
Many types of PO boxes are available on the market. These boxes come in various sizes and shapes with interlocking tabs and dust flaps that are easy to assemble without the use of tape or glue. Often use corrugated cardboard for postage boxes, and the flute is usually an E flute (1/16”) or a B flute (1/8”). A double side wall of the box provides additional strength and resistance to damage compared to other types of cardboard packaging, as it is stiffer and more durable.
It is ideal for wrapping gifts and retail items in mailing boxes. Plus, they’re a great choice for subscription boxes and other promotional kits.
2) Boxes for shipping
Customized boxes can be divided into four types based on product type. Corrugated cardboard is the most common material used in shipping cartons, usually B-flutes or C-flutes, depending on the type of shipping carton.
Typically, shipping boxes are used to handle larger, heavier products, such as food items, electronics, and fabrics.
Since shipping boxes can be stacked, they are ideal for warehouse storage. As a result, they also require significant taping and much more time and effort to assemble.
3) Product boxes
A product box can come in different sizes and shapes and is commonly found on retail store shelves.
Upon receipt of the finished product, the customer will receive it unassembled. Once the boxes are made, they must fill them with products to sell and then deliver them to customers. Common items packaged in folding cartons include beauty products, alcohol and luxury items.
Compared to other custom boxes, folding cartons are the lightest. Plus, they’re easy to fill, seal, and ship, making them more convenient.
Configuration boxes
Rigid installation box is a unique type of product box. The container is made up of two pieces, one which contains the product and the other which serves as a lid. In high-end product packaging, this is a very sturdy box typically used to package high-value phones, jewelry, and watches. When it comes to hard box designs, you can get as creative as you want and make them unique according to your brand voice and goals.
4) Econoflex shipping boxes
In 2020, WCB launched an eco-friendly shipping box called Econoflex. The Econoflex shipping box is one of the most modern and environmentally friendly types of packaging you can buy. This Econoflex box is made from 100% recycled and recyclable materials and is durable, biodegradable and affordable thanks to its sturdy construction. In many ways, Econoflex printing technology is similar to flexographic printing, except that Econoflex printing is less expensive because there is no need to purchase color plates or pay setup fees . It is cost-effective both when dealing with small orders and bulk orders.
Benefits of Custom Boxes
Several advantages come with personalized packaging:
1. Create your brand identity
Since many companies ship items in plain kraft corrugated boxes, your brand is not visible to the public and all packages look the same. A custom box is a great way to show off your brand and promote your business to customers using logos, messaging and artwork.
2. Create an experience
More specifically, one of the best ways to assure your customers that you care about what you offer them is to have quality packaging. Additionally, customers enjoy the “unboxing experience.” Imagine their delight if they receive the product in a pretty personalized box with glitter colors and a perfect 3D graphic of your company logo inside. Suppose people have an awesome unboxing experience and share their unboxing experiences with their friends, family, fans, and followers on social media. In this case, your business will be able to benefit more.
3. Secure your products
Businesses do not want to package their products in damaged boxes. Oversized boxes and poorly finished products are examples of these problems. Custom boxes ensure safety by providing the perfect size for the product, preventing any movement or sliding that could damage the product.
4. Protect the environment
We make bespoke boxes from biodegradable materials, ensuring they are environmentally friendly. Recyclable boxes can be reused multiple times, reducing the need to cut down trees, the main source of raw materials for making boxes.
5. Save money
Any business can incur costs associated with damaged goods. Remaking or replacing damaged products can be a costly endeavor. Custom boxes provide adequate fit and cushioning to protect delicate products. Additionally, you may want to consider investing in a custom paper that provides extra cushioning while creating a sense of security and care.
What factors affect the price of custom box?
The cost of personalized boxes is higher than that of standard boxes. Costs vary depending on the box type, material, dimensions and design of the custom box.
As a general rule, the more color and material of the box used in manufacturing, the more expensive it will be. Printing technique also impacts price, but for the most part, price is determined by quantity.
Most custom printed boxes are shipped flat and reassembled by the customer before packaging. Therefore, if you plan to order multiple boxes, you may need help assembling them.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Regarding Custom Boxes
These common questions are frequently asked regarding custom boxes.
Is custom packaging worth it?
It may seem desirable to choose the least expensive packaging option. However, this can threaten the safety of your product, mainly if the material is not made in the appropriate dimensions or is not properly padded. A custom packaging solution is a proven method for keeping your products safe while reducing costs over time. Most importantly, a better quality, well-designed personalized box will result in a better shopping experience for your customers, allowing you to keep them top of mind and encourage repeat purchases. It is a profitable investment.
How eco-friendly are custom boxes?
Custom boxes are made from corrugated cardboard (made from wood pulp) and are biodegradable. In addition, cardboard is recyclable before its fibers completely degrade. About 68 percent of paper and cardboard are recycled each year in the United States alone, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Additionally, custom packaging boxes allow consumers to pack their products in perfectly sized packages to avoid any wastage of materials. By reducing the amount of materials used, less cardboard will be made, resulting in fewer trees being cut down for packaging.
Where is the best place to order personalized boxes?
Whenever you need to place a custom order, WCB is the place to go. From postal boxes to shipping and product boxes, we create custom packaging boxes that satisfy you and your customers. Our cutting-edge online design tool and live preview technology allows customers to unleash their creativity and design exactly what they want. Our technicians can also help you with the best designs available. Online ordering is now available for custom printed boxes.
