A custom kraft box is a folding paperboard package with a brown or natural-looking face. A dieline is the flat template for cut lines, scores, glue tabs, panels, and folds. Start with the product and how it will be packed, opened, displayed, or shipped. Compare custom kraft tuck top boxes, custom kraft soap boxes, custom kraft pillow boxes, and custom kraft mailer boxes. For a smaller launch brief, see custom packaging for small business.
What does kraft board change in the finished box?
Board caliper is the paperboard thickness. A common reference is kraft board at 18 to 24 pt, while SBS, C1S, or C2S paperboard is often specified in the 12 to 24 pt range when the print face needs a smoother surface. Kraft keeps more of its paper tone visible under light ink coverage. C1S has one coated side and C2S has two, so state which faces need printed coverage.
| Board reference | Surface direction | Check before approval |
|---|---|---|
| Kraft board, 18 to 24 pt | Natural paper tone | Ink contrast and fold behavior |
| SBS, C1S, or C2S, 12 to 24 pt | Smoother print surface | Coated side, coverage, and finish |
Which kraft box structure fits the product?
Choose the closure before the artwork. Straight tuck end and reverse tuck end cartons stay flat before setup. An auto-lock bottom changes the loading sequence because the base forms as the carton is erected. A roll end tuck top mailer has a closing top and sidewalls for parcel presentation. A pillow box bends into a curved profile, so its end folds and product fit need their own check.
| Structure | Common use | Dieline check |
|---|---|---|
| Straight tuck end | Compact folding carton | Tuck direction and opening panel |
| Reverse tuck end | Alternate carton closure | Front panel and seam placement |
| Auto-lock bottom | Formed locking base | Loading order and base folds |
| Roll end tuck top mailer | Closing parcel presentation | Top closure, sidewalls, and fit |
| Pillow box | Curved small-item presentation | Profile, end folds, and product fit |
How should kraft packaging be printed and finished?
Offset CMYK is a common reference for detailed paperboard artwork. Digital printing can suit a short run or version test. Flexo is commonly considered for corrugated kraft mailers and outer boxes. Matte or gloss lamination changes reflection, soft-touch changes hand feel, and spot UV, foil stamping, embossing, or debossing mark selected areas. Treat the dieline as a map for ink coverage, folds, seams, glue zones, closure panels, and barcode space. RGB art can shift after conversion for press, low-resolution art stays soft, and type too close to a score can split across the fold. Bleed is extra artwork past the cut line, so leaving it out can expose an unprinted edge.
How do I measure a custom kraft box?
Write the usable cavity as length x width x depth and label the figures as inside measurements. Measure the packed product, wrap, insert, card, and clearance in the order they sit in the box. About 1/16 in, or 1.5 mm, is a common packaging tolerance reference, but closure geometry and product shape still control fit. Check the assembled sample against the real loading sequence. Loose clearance lets the product rattle.
Can a kraft box travel as the outer shipper?
A folding carton can present the product, but an outer parcel needs corrugated construction and a closure built around handling. E, B, and C are corrugated flute references. A flute is the wave-shaped paper layer between liners, and its profile changes thickness, print surface, and stacking behavior. 32 ECT is a recognized edge-crush reference. For US ground planning, dimensional weight uses L x W x H / 139, so record the finished outside size separately from the inside cavity.
What should I put in a kraft box brief?
Unit cost moves when board caliper, print coverage, finishing, quantity breaks, tooling, shipping zone, or structure changes. A window or special closure changes the converting plan. Send:
- Product dimensions, wrap, insert, card, and inside length x width x depth.
- Straight tuck end, reverse tuck end, auto-lock bottom, roll end tuck top mailer, or pillow box.
- Board direction, print coverage, folds, scores, seams, glue tabs, closure, and barcode area.
- Matte or gloss lamination, soft-touch, spot UV, foil stamping, embossing, or debossing.
- Quantity, artwork status, shipping destination, and whether the box is an inner pack or outer shipper.
Custom Packaging Lane quotes to spec from a 100-unit minimum. Pricing is from $0.49 per unit at volume, quoted to spec. Production is typically 8 to 10 business days after proof approval, plus delivery. Free US shipping and free design support are available, and the free dieline is part of the design support. The $19.99 sample kit is credited to the first order.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does kraft board print differently from white paperboard?
Kraft board keeps its brown paper tone beneath uncoated areas and lighter ink, while SBS, C1S, and C2S paperboard provide a smoother print surface. C1S has one coated side and C2S has two. Custom kraft-box artwork should identify coverage, white areas, folds, and finishes so the proof shows the intended contrast.
What is the difference between a tuck carton and a mailer?
A tuck carton folds from a flat sheet and is commonly used as an inner retail pack. A roll end tuck top mailer has a closing sequence and sidewalls for parcel presentation. The choice depends on whether another shipper carries the box, how the product loads, and how the customer opens it.
What can make kraft-box artwork fail at the proof stage?
Low-resolution art, RGB colors converted for press, missing bleed, type set over a score, and artwork placed across a glue tab can all change the finished result. A digital proof should show panel orientation, seams, folds, closure, barcode space, and finish areas before the box file becomes a production instruction.
What does 32 ECT mean on a corrugated kraft box?
32 ECT is a common edge-crush reference for corrugated board. ECT measures the force needed to crush the board edge, so it is one input when checking stacking and shipping behavior. Compare it with flute choice, packed dimensions, product weight, closure, and the carrier route rather than treating the number as a complete box specification.
Should my box dimensions be inside or outside measurements?
For a custom kraft box quote, provide length x width x depth as inside measurements when the goal is product fit. Include the wrap, insert, card, and clearance in the loaded order. Record the finished outside size separately when shipping matters, because carrier dimensional weight uses the outside package, not the empty product outline.
