How to choose custom retail display boxes
A retail box has a few seconds on a shelf or counter to get picked up. Choose the structure for where it will sit (hanging, shelf or counter) and design the front panel to be read from a distance.
Sizes and styles
Window boxes show the product, sleeve boxes add a reveal, dispenser boxes let customers take single items from a counter, and auto-lock bottom boxes carry heavier products. Premium retail often uses magnetic closure or drawer boxes. Hanging products need a hang tab punched into the top panel, sized to the store's pegs.
Materials
SBS paperboard prints the sharpest retail graphics. Counter displays and heavier products need corrugated so they stand up to handling. Rigid board is for luxury lines.
Finishes that work best
Gloss lamination makes colours pop under store lighting; matte with spot UV on the logo gives contrast. Foil works on premium products.
Pricing drivers
Structure, board, windows, size, finishes and quantity drive cost. Displays that ship flat and pop up in store save on freight, and one structure used across several products keeps reorders simple.
Before you order
- Ask the retailer for their rules. Many stores specify shelf heights, hang-tab sizes, barcode positions or display footprints. Get them before the dieline is drawn.
- Design the front for three feet away. On a shelf, the brand and product name should be readable from a few steps back. Keep the front panel simple and move details to the sides and back.
- Check the box stands on its own. Displays and tall cartons tip over if the base is too small. A sample on a real shelf is the best test.
- Plan the barcode. Leave a light, uncluttered area for the UPC. Dark or busy backgrounds can stop it scanning.
- Think about restocking. Counter displays work best when store staff can refill them easily from a case of products.
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.
Read how to choose retail display boxes and why retail packaging matters.
