How to choose custom kraft boxes
Kraft boxes are made from unbleached paperboard or corrugated with a natural brown surface. They suit brands that want an honest, handmade or eco-conscious look, and they hide scuffs well in transit. The main choices are the structure and how you print on a brown surface.
Sizes and styles
Kraft works in almost any structure: kraft mailer boxes for shipping, tuck-top boxes for retail, boxes with handles for carry-out, and lid boxes for gifts.
Materials
Kraft paperboard suits light retail products; kraft-lined corrugated suits shipping and heavier contents. Recycled-content kraft is available for many styles. Kraft also takes glue and tape well, so it is a practical choice for boxes your team assembles by hand, and its colour hides the marks that white boxes pick up in transit and storage.
Finishes that work best
Printing on kraft is darker and warmer than on white board: colours lose brightness, and white ink is used when you need a bright colour or white text. One- or two-colour designs, foil stamping and debossing look especially good on kraft.
Pricing drivers
Kraft is often one of the most economical board options. Price depends mainly on quantity, size, structure and print method; adding white ink or full-colour coverage increases cost.
Before you order
- Design for a brown background. Artwork made on a white screen looks darker on kraft. Ask for a proof that simulates kraft, and use white ink where you need bright colour.
- Choose paperboard or corrugated. Kraft paperboard suits retail cartons and light products; kraft corrugated is needed for shipping or heavier items.
- Expect natural variation. Kraft is unbleached, so the brown shade can vary slightly between batches. That is part of the look, but it matters if boxes from different orders sit side by side.
- Keep finishes paper-based where you can. If you choose kraft for its eco look, a plastic lamination works against it. Foil, debossing and water-based coatings keep the natural feel.
Minimum order and lead time
Most styles start at 100 units; some specialty styles have a higher minimum, shown on each product page. Production takes 7–10 business days after you approve the digital proof, and US shipping adds 5–7 business days. Rush production in 5–7 business days is available for an additional fee. Every quote includes a free 3D design and dieline, so you can check the structure before you order.
