Guide / Box & packaging styles / Chapter 2.12
Pillow boxes.
A curved little box that folds flat, closes without glue and turns a small item into a gift. Here's what pillow boxes are good for, how they're made and when to choose something sturdier.
The short answer
A pillow box is a small box made from one piece of paperboard with curved ends that fold in to close it, giving it a soft "pillow" shape. It's quick to assemble, needs no tape or glue and looks like a gift straight away. Pillow boxes suit light, small items such as jewellery, accessories, gift cards, soaps and favours. Our premium pillow packs are made from 285gsm paperboard and come in sizes from extra small to extra large, plus a narrow size.
How a pillow box works
A pillow box is cut from a flat sheet of paperboard with curved fold lines at each end. You pop the box open, then press each curved end inwards and it locks closed. Because the ends are curved, the box bulges slightly in the middle, which gives it its shape and a little room for tissue around the product.
They're supplied flat, so they take up very little storage space until you need them.
What pillow boxes are good for
- Small gifts and accessories like jewellery, hair accessories, keyrings and small cosmetics.
- Gift cards and vouchers, where a plain envelope feels too ordinary.
- Wedding and event favours, where you're filling dozens or hundreds at once.
- In-store gift wrapping, because they take seconds to assemble and look finished.
- Add-on sales at the counter, offered as a gift box for a small purchase.
Pillow box or another small box?
Pillow boxes are about presentation, not protection. Here's how they compare with other small boxes.
| Box | Best for | Protection | Assembly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pillow box | Light gifts, favours, cards | Low, presentation only | Seconds, no glue or tape |
| Small mailer box | Small items that will be posted | Good | Folds and locks closed |
| Two-piece gift box | Premium small gifts | Medium | Lid lifts off a base |
| Rigid jewellery box | High-value jewellery | High | Ready made, no assembly |
Branding a pillow box
Plain pillow boxes look smart with a sticker, a ribbon or a printed belly band. For your own print, paperboard boxes are offset printed from 250 units, typically 10–15 business days from artwork approval. Special finishes may take longer and are confirmed with your quote. Our custom printing team can advise on the best option for your quantity.
What it means for you
The same question, answered for where your business is today.
Choose your stage at the top of the page to open the advice for you.
Start-up · under 100 units
Plain pillow packs plus a custom sticker or ribbon look branded for very little outlay, and you can order them in small quantities.
Keep a stack at your counter or market stall and offer them as a gift box option.
Growing · 100 to 2,499 units
If pillow boxes are part of every order, compare the cost of stickers and hand-finishing with a printed pillow box. Offset printing starts from 250 units.
Try this: pick one size that fits most of your small products, so you only need to print one design.
Enterprise · 2,500 units and more
For large runs, specify the paperboard, size and print, and check how pillow boxes pack into outer cartons for shipping to stores.
Remember pillow boxes need an outer carton or mailer to travel safely.
Common mistakes
- 1Posting a pillow box on its own. Pillow boxes are not strong enough for the courier network. Put them inside a mailer box or carton. A satchel alone won't stop crushing.
- 2Overfilling. A product that's too thick stops the curved ends closing neatly. Choose the next size up.
- 3Heavy products. Paperboard pillow boxes suit light items. Heavier products need a sturdier box.
- 4Skipping the inside. A little tissue inside stops the product sliding around and makes opening feel special.
Pillow box questions
What is a pillow box?
What are pillow boxes made from?
Can I post a pillow box?
What sizes do pillow boxes come in?
Can pillow boxes be printed?
From our customers
Be TwistedPillow pack boxes that are easy to use and simple to open, wrapped in tissue and finished with a ribbon at the counter.
Read their story →Keep reading
Shop pillow boxes
Looking for the right small gift box?
Tell us what you're packing and how many. Our Melbourne team will suggest the best size and finish, usually within 1 business day.