How to Make Custom Boxes?
A Comprehensive Guide

Being new in the industry, you have to face more challenges. But if you are an established corporation, then your packaging strategies might somehow assist you to reach this level. Whether big or small, custom boxes are a necessity of time. So, you may need to get them from a renowned platform or make your own. If the second is the case, then don’t worry. Just read this article to make your crafting process easy and successful. It stepwise narrates how to make custom boxes.

Ryan Hughes
Ryan Hughes
How to Make Custom Boxes

It is not possible to offer products directly to customers without packaging. Hence, all brands need packaging to protect and present their valuable creations. Standard boxes can protect some items but are not suitable for all product types. Moreover, only some types of packaging can attract customers. Grabbing customers is pivotal in this competitive business landscape. Here comes the significance of tailor-fit packaging. That is why custom boxes for packaging are becoming popular. These boxes, if they hold a perfect blend of functionality as well as aesthetic appeal, can do wonders.

Wise crafting can address various issues and provide unlimited benefits. So, understanding how to manufacture custom boxes is very important. By considering useful custom box designs, you can craft a perfect packaging box. In this blog post, we will narrate a simple and effective stepwise guide to making custom boxes. After reading this, even a beginner can create a perfect box for packaging.

Comprehensive Guide on How to Make Custom Boxes:

To create a box, you have to research various aspects of box-making. Below are all the necessary steps needed to create boxes. Have a look at them before starting your creation process. Surely, it will help you master the art of making ideal custom boxes and packaging.

Begin with the Understanding of Box Purpose:

Begin with the Understanding of Box Purpose

First, ponder why you need a box. Which type of product do you want to package in it? Getting answers to these questions is very important. If you need a box for shipping or displaying purposes, then both conditions demand different box dynamics. A box suitable for shipping should be strong enough to bear the rigors of handling and transportation. On the other hand, if you need a box for displaying items, then making it visually appealing is also important along with safety. So, design a box after clarifying the intended purpose. This step is not a part of crafting but is still mandatory.

Determine the Size:

The size of the box should be according to that of the product. Carefully determining product specifications is essential to avoid mistakes. If you forget to ponder on it, you have to face certain consequences. These may include too small boxes to hold the products or larger boxes with a higher risk of damage. So, snug-fitting allows you to hold the product in place which is important to keep products in pristine conditions. Furthermore, the box size is important because it affects how much material is needed and how much it costs to make, ship, and store. The three most common measurements used for a box are length, width, and depth. Therefore, measure the product dimensions and keep an inch margin for better practicality. This step helps you make boxes accurately.

Select an Appropriate Material for Your Box:

Select an Appropriate Material for Your Box

The success of your crafting process lies in this step. A better selection of materials can lead to an ideal box. So, consider materials like cardboard, corrugated cardboard, paperboard, or Kraft paper. All these materials are known for offering sustainability and versatility to manufacturers. For different types of custom boxes, different materials are required. For example, you can make a cosmetic box from cardboard material. Likewise, you can make food boxes with Kraft paper. A custom corrugated box is ideal for products that need extra protection. This is because corrugated materials are robust.

Can I make my own box for shipping? Is this question bothering you? Yes, you can; but know this fact first, you need a strong material to craft the box for shipping. This is because only a strong box is capable of safeguarding products from the rigors of handling and transportation.

Make a Perfect Box Design:

If you are pondering how to make a cardboard packaging box. It means your material selection is done. Now create a custom box design. The design of a box is the product's outward appearance. This process is associated with the above step- material selection. Consider which design your material can showcase beautifully and easily. For example, a corrugated box design should be durable, allowing it to stand with pressures better. Afterward, choose a suitable box style and work on graphics, fonts, and colors. Answering other essential things like product type, target market, and sales strategy would be best. For instance, you may use bigger font sizes on product packaging for customers of a specific age.

However, for expensive items, the packaging should depict the level of quality. Product packaging design varies depending on the product’s nature and the targeted buyers. So, spending time on a high-quality design is better than creating poor product packaging. Design custom boxes uniquely to gain many additional benefits. Consider the following suggestions that can enhance practicality as well as aesthetics.

Design Your Own Box With PVC And Other Transparent Windows:

Design Your Own Box With PVC And Other Transparent Windows

Design your own packaging with transparent windows. It is a bright and attention-grabbing marketing move. Many industries, such as food, toys, cosmetics, and more, use this extensively. A clear plastic PET window protects goods while allowing customers to see the product inside. As a result, businesses can boost sales, customer loyalty, and brand image while giving customers a clearer idea of what they're getting. However, when designing packaging with a window, you must consider its size and positioning.

The reason is that the thickness or gauge of the clear plastic used to make the window depends on the size of the window. Thinner and more pliable materials are sufficient for covering smaller windows, while thicker, more rigid plastic is best for larger ones. The structural nature of panoramic, three-sided windows may necessitate a thicker gauge. But thin cello windows are sometimes used for very tiny windows.

Consider Necessary Reinforcement:

Check if there is any need for reinforcing materials such as inserts. Inserts are the best way if your product requires additional padding. They increase stability and elevate the attractiveness of your product's presentation in the package. Brands often use them to give memorable unboxing experiences to their customers.

Inserts are available in various materials, such as foam, paper, and cardboard. It all depends on the product’s nature and shipping needs. For instance, for luxury custom packaging, foam inserts are perfect. They are costlier but are long-lasting, light, and offer superior cushioning for your product. On the other hand, inserts made from corrugated cardboard are less expensive and can also be printed (not possible with foam inserts). In short, design box packaging with inserts or dividers to upgrade functionality along with aesthetic appeal.

Right Color Model for Your Boxes:

Right Color Model for Your Boxes

Colors play a crucial role in custom packaging. They make custom boxes attractive and memorable. So, the color schemes must be consistent with the rest of your company's branding. Choose the right colors for your boxes. Ensure the brand's logo, promotional materials, and online presence complement with brand style. Perhaps it would look best with just one or a limited color palette. Think about how you can make them stand out on your customized packaging.

Finding The Right Packaging Supplier:

To make your own box, you can get assistance from some right packaging suppliers. They can provide you with the required materials. Also, a reputed packaging company can assist you in selecting your design. For this, they show you templates. You can choose the one that better meets your needs and preferences. Moreover, for customizing box designs, you may need a die-cutting machine. This is because it is necessary to convert stock material by thinning, forming, and shearing. A right supplier can help you in this step. Other than this, buying the material from a reputed company is crucial. The reason is good material not only affects the look of your product but also its durability and longevity. For instance, if you’re up to using a special PVC window box or metallic, you need plastic and metallic sheets. And it works better of you get them from suppliers like The Custom Boxes.

Work on The Appearance of Your Boxes

If you are searching for how to make your own shipping boxes attractive, then this step helps you a lot. An attractive box is indeed necessary to attract customers and, in turn, drive sales. Box customization with various finishing options contributes greatly to making them eye-catching. Below are some suggestions that can help you achieve your motive.

Embossing or Debossing:

Embossing and debossing are among the finest add-ons to create a distinct, long-lasting, tactile effect for custom boxes. The cosmetics, food and drink, and cannabis sectors all use these effects for aesthetic purposes. But when you’re at the early stage of knowing how to create custom boxes, you must know their difference first. 

The process of embossing raises a design piece above a substrate, giving it a 3D effect. Conversely, debossing involves sinking a design element deeper into a base to provide the illusion of depth. Both methods are good for elevating appeal significantly. Also, they make a product stand out more to buyers on the shelves. So, when you’re on your quest, using these tactile elements can be on your to-do list.

Printing:

A plain box can appear boring. To make it enthralling, it is necessary to print some graphics or branding elements. It not only enhances appeal but also makes them your brand ambassadors. Merely printing a logo on the box is sufficient to build brand identity. Custom Printed Boxes look amazing and attract customers. For printing these boxes, many printing options are available. These include onset printing, digital printing, screen printing, and many more. You can choose the one that appears suitable for you. Collaborating with the printing press can help you in this regard.

Lamination:

Lamination is another option to enhance the outlook of a box. It is a plastic film that protects printed materials from wear and tear. Also, it safeguards the printed box with contaminants like water and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Additionally, it prevents color loss and fading. When you laminate a product, you protect it from heat, moisture, smudges, and fingerprints left by careless handling.

Numerous lamination methods exist, such as matte and gloss, each with pros and cons. Both are good at making boxes water and heat-resistant. However, the selection depends on the brands’ needs.

1. Matte

Matte lamination makes it easier to read the packaging because it doesn't reflect as much light as shiny surfaces. It also gives the packaging a more natural look. Matte laminated wrapping reduces the brightness and contrast of the colors. Consider it if you want a softer look.

2. Glossy

This kind provides a glossier finish and enhances the vibrancy of hues, whether you’re printing in CMYK or PMS. It's common to see it in marketing pieces as it makes the overall presentation more polished and competent. Therefore, glossy packaging is highly preferable if you want your product to pop out more on store shelves.

UV Coating:

Custom Made Boxes with UV coating provide a stunning glossy sheen. It makes your materials stand out and protects printing. Moreover, it makes the paper less likely to get dirty during handling or shipping. That means your promotional materials will last longer, appear better, and provide more excellent value for your money. However, it might not be as waterproof as lamination, but it is water-resistant and cost-effective. You can apply UV coating to only one product surface or both sides. For instance, Spot UV coating is an excellent option to make specific areas of your design, such as logos or photos, stand out.

Fold and Bend the Box for the Packaging:

Fold and Bend the Box for the Packaging

To make boxes for packaging, proper folding is important. Even if you buy ready-made boxes, they often come flat and pre-assembled. These boxes are creased during die cutting so customers can fold and bend them manually. Instead of cutting through the substance, these blunt blades embedded in the die press a depression into it. You can achieve better precision and accuracy when creasing and die-cutting co-occur.

Make Sure the Box is Properly Labeled:

Create your own packaging but don’t forget to label it. If your boxes look excellent but lack proper labeling, they can put brands in various problems. For instance, if you are an e-commerce seller, your package might be lost due to improper or no details. Moreover, labeling is essential for companies to provide vital information about the products inside packages. Customers might not trust a brand that does not provide them with pertinent details about the product or brand itself.

Final Thoughts:

Custom packaging is helpful for any industry. But it fosters the query of how to make a custom box that is perfect and balanced. Being a new one in the industry means taking extra care in the product you create. But don't worry. This detailed guide narrated each step involved in making these boxes. Follow them to create your own boxes the way you want.

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