Guide / Box & packaging styles / Chapter 2.9
Rigid boxes.
The heavy, solid boxes used for jewellery, luxury gifts and special editions. Here's how rigid boxes are made, what they cost in time, and when they're worth it.
The short answer
A rigid box is made from thick, solid board wrapped in printed or textured paper. Traditional rigid boxes usually arrive already formed; collapsible styles ship flat. It feels heavy, doesn't flex and keeps its shape, so it signals quality the moment someone picks it up. Rigid boxes suit jewellery, watches, cosmetics sets, premium gifts and anything kept after it's opened. Our custom printed rigid boxes start from 250 units, with express production in 15–20 working days or standard production in 6–8 weeks, and foil in black, white, gold, silver or rose gold.
How rigid boxes are made
Rigid boxes start as thick board, much thicker than a folding carton. The board is cut to shape and joined at the corners to form the base and lid. A sheet of wrapping paper, which can be printed, coloured or textured, is then glued around the outside and folded over the edges.
Because they're built by wrapping and gluing rather than folding a flat sheet, rigid boxes are made to order, take longer to produce, and traditional styles usually ship already formed. That's the trade-off for their solid, premium feel.
Common rigid box styles
| Style | How it opens | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Lid and base | A separate lid lifts off the base | Jewellery, gifts, keepsakes |
| Magnetic closure | A hinged lid closes with a hidden magnet | Premium gifts, corporate gifts, sets |
| Shoulder or neck box | A lid sits over a raised inner collar | High-end cosmetics and fragrance |
| Drawer or slide | An inner tray slides out of a sleeve | Jewellery, chocolates, accessories |
| Collapsible | Ships flat, then folds into a rigid box | Larger gift and hamper boxes |
What we offer
Our rigid boxes include ready-made jewellery boxes in several sizes, finishes and inserts, from foam pads to cotton fill. Our custom printed rigid boxes let you add your logo to popular jewellery box styles, and we also make collapsible rigid boxes with a magnetic closure.
These are two different products with different timings. Custom printed rigid boxes start from 250 units, with express production in 15–20 working days or standard production in 6–8 weeks, and foil in black, white, gold, silver and rose gold. Custom collapsible magnetic boxes also start from 250 units and take 4–6 weeks from artwork approval; see magnetic closure boxes.
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
Start with stock rigid jewellery boxes and a branded sticker or ribbon. They look premium without a custom run.
Order a stock sample to check the size and insert with your product.
Growing · 100 to 2,499 units
When your range settles and you're ordering hundreds of boxes, a custom printed rigid box with foil can set your brand apart. Plan around the lead time.
Try this: order before your busiest season. Standard production takes 6–8 weeks.
Enterprise · 2,500 units and more
Specify the board, wrap, print, foil and insert for each product. For gifting programs and launches, build the rigid box lead time into your timeline from the start.
Express production takes 15–20 working days. Allow extra time for artwork approval and delivery.
Common mistakes
- 1Leaving it too late. Rigid boxes are made to order. Allow for production time before your launch or peak season.
- 2Choosing rigid for everything. Rigid boxes cost more and take up more space. Use them where the product justifies it.
- 3Posting rigid boxes on their own. A rigid box protects its contents well, but the wrap can scuff. Ship it inside an outer carton.
- 4Forgetting storage space. Most rigid boxes arrive already formed, so they take up much more room than flat boxes.
Rigid box questions
What is a rigid box?
What's the minimum order for custom rigid boxes?
How long do custom rigid boxes take?
What foil colours are available?
Do rigid boxes come flat?
Keep reading
Shop rigid boxes
Planning a premium box?
Tell us your product, quantity and when you need it. Our Melbourne team will recommend the right rigid box and confirm timing, usually within 1 business day.