Box Styles

There are many box designs to fit your needs. We make them all at EARTHFIRSTPACKAGING.COM. Samples of each box are available upon request.

Standard Tuck End

The most commonly used structural design is the standard tuck end. (STE) It has a flap that folds in the top and bottom, and a hang tab can be added so that it can hang in a retail setting.

Variations of the Standard Tuck End

Reverse Tuck End

The RTE is also a commonly used box style for the retail world. The top and bottom flaps fold in opposite directions, making it a good choice for some cosmetics and perfumes. It has a cleaner look on the shelf then the STE.

AutoBottom

Some called a crash lock, this design has a pre-glued bottom, and is good for long runs, as well as heavier products. Can have a hang tab for retail settings. This design costs a little more, but you can make up the increased costs in decreased labor when fulfilling the product.

Snap Lock Bottom

Folds together like an ice cream carton, this is a good choice for kits with inserts, larger boxes, or when cost is a consideration.

Box with Header

Gives a lot of graphics space for smaller products. Good for retail settings, when the retailer hangs the items on a planogram.

Book Box

Available in both large and small sizes, this is a great choice when your product requires a lot of explanation or marketing materials, or if you want to give your product a "value added" look and feel.

The book box is available in a reverse version as well. Call for a sample.

Sleeve

When combined with a standard corrugated box, the sleeve is often the most economical solution. Often used when you have multiple versions of the same product.

Custom Box Styles

The following Custom Box Styles are also available:

Header and Blister Cards - Full color product headers for retail settings, when the product is put in a poly bag or blister mold.

Table Tents - Used for restaurants, retail settings, showrooms, is effective way to communicate your products benefits.

Point of Purchase Displays - Comes in a variety of styles. The header card can be die cut in almost any custom shape. Can be used with a staircase insert to show off your product.

Easel Backs - Ideal for retail settings, and countertops, this design is commonly used to hold brochures, leave-behinds, and tear-offs to promote your product.

CD and DVD Sleeves - Call if you want a special design for a CD or DVD sleeve. Available on 18 point stock in a variety of designs.

Litho Laminated E-flute Boxes - This is the strongest box for the retail setting. It can very heavy products, and has a full color high gloss sheet wrapped around strong corrugated material. It is a very strong design and gives a high quality presentation for your product. It is also more expensive. Sample upon request.

Tips on designing your box

A great package starts with a great design. The best way to ensure a great design, if you need some help, is to let our professionals help you. We design the box specifically for your product, to your specifications.

We recommend that you keep your designs simple and your message clear to your customers, telling them about the main benefits of your product. Keep your copy clear and concise. Be brief and to the point. Good graphics tell your products story better than a lot of words. If you need to use a lot of text that explains the benefits of your products, you may want to place the copy on the back or side panels of the box. Keep the front of the box eye-catching, exciting, and unique.

Some tips

Click image to view file submission specifications

Bleeds: extend the art past the borders of the box at least 1/8 - ¼ " (click image above).
Images and text: place the images at least 1/8 away from the score lines of the box. If the art wraps around the panels of the box, that is a different effect, and can be very interesting.

Colors

Full color printing is a process that uses the four color process, also known as CMYK. If you want to use spot colors, we can run those as well. This can effect your price, so please call us for a quote using spot colors.

UV Coating

If you want your box to shine, add a UV coat. It adds depth and pop to your graphics.

Unusual Shapes and Designs

Look at today's most successful packaging, and you see a variety of styles. If you see an unusual package that you like, and that may work for our product, tell us about it, and we'll create something equally unusual for you

Box Size

It is really important that your box fit your product, both to protect the product and to make the best presentation. We recommend that you send us a copy of your product, so we may fit it exactly. We'll return it to you, along with two samples of your box design, and a design template so you can begin to lay up your art.

If you need us to sign a non-disclosure agreement, we are happy to.

Design Programs

There are many different graphics design programs available. We prefer the industry standard Mac based programs: Adobe Illustrator, Creative Suite version 1.0, Quark, and InDesign. Some formats require additional work, including Pagemaker, Publisher, Photoshop, and Acrobat.

Some Tips

Convert all four color images from RGB to CMYK.

If you are downloading images, or creating images in PHOTOSHOP, make sure the resolution is set to a minimum of 300 dpi.

We Provide Graphic Design Services

We have a team of designers that design for medical applications, software, retail, gift and food industries, even baby products. So if you need help with your art and graphics design, call us.