Rigid setup boxes will enhance the image and value of your products. Products
packaged in rigid set up boxes are often considered of higher quality and from
better companies. Because they are sturdy, easy to open and close, great for storage,
require no set up and can incorporate high-end graphics, rigid boxes are used for
distinguished products. Rigid setup boxes have no rough edges, no tabs to tuck or
insert. They are sleek, uniform, and resilient, even after many openings.
Rigid setup boxes are typically used to package retail-oriented products such as gifts,
stationery, greeting cards, liquor, multimedia box sets, cosmetics and skin care,
candles, jewelry, specialty food and gift cards. They can also be used to protect
and hold books.
Rigid setup boxes are generally two pieces, a lid and a base. They are fully telescoping
or have a shorter lid (semi telescoping). They can be wrapped in printed sheets, or an
exotic specialty material. Decorating can include laminating, UV coating, foil stamping,
debossing and finish die cutting. Custom rigid set-up boxes have lower minimums as
compared to folding chipboard boxes and can be wrapped in many different colors.
Rigid setup boxes can be designed with special inserts made up of paperboard, plastic
and foam to firmly secure your product inside.
Rigid set-up boxes are called “rigid” boxes for a reason. They’re strong, durable and
non-collapsible which offers protection for your products. Because of their durability
and elegance, customers often keep, save and re-purpose them. When you’re looking for
retail protection, a set-up box is the way to go. RSUB are made of .030 pt. paperboard
and for added strength, the chip can be increased .050 pt. paperboard or heavier.
No assembly is required for a RSUB. No one spends countless minutes or even hours
fumbling with folding and assembling. Labor costs for packing your products will be
remarkably reduced. However, because they’re fully assembled and non-collapsible,
RSUB do require space.
Box and lid styles:
Book boxes are a unique specialty box that allows your customer to store your product
on a book shelf. A book box typically has a glued tray which turns into an actual
book cover. Software, Bio-tech, Toys and Exercise DVD products sell well utilizing this style.
Hinge box: adding a hinge can turn a standard set-up box into a presentation. There are
several styles of hinges available. Personal products, toys and gift products utilize hinge boxes.
Neck boxes (aka shoulder boxes) are three-piece specialty boxes where the lid and
bottom do not telescope, or overlap. They "kiss" together or never touch each other.
The inner neck, which can be a set-up tray, a glued sleeve, or a platform, is glued or
friction-locked into the bottom of the box. The inner neck's function is to guide and
hold the lid in place when this box is closed. Candles, perfume, and diffuser with weighted product packages work well with this style.
Slide boxes or matchbook boxes are two-piece boxes with an outer sliding sleeve and an inner “tray”. They can have flush ends where the sleeve is flush to the tray or can leave a reveal, imparting a bit of elegance.
Hinged Lid: A hinged lid with an embedded magnetic catch is commonly used in repeated use packaging such as media boxes or instrument boxes. Easy to open, use, load, and store hinged lids are ideal for boxes that are used for vanity or workbench storage units.
Partial Telescope: Any lid that goes down the base more than 1”, but not the full depth of the base, is a partial telescope lid. Common examples of a partial telescope lid are jewelry box lids and candle box lids. Many jewelry boxes are 1” deep with a 5/8” lid. Some candle boxes are 2-3/4” deep with a 1-3/4” lid. Partial telescope lids are also commonly seen on gift boxes and higher-end product boxes. They offer both charm and practicality to provide a box that’s beautiful, yet easy to open.
Shoebox Lid: a shoebox lid is always 1” deep regardless of the base size. The most common example is an actual shoe box lid. Shoes are often stored and sold in a box that consists of a base that is around 4” deep, and a lid that is only 1” deep. Shoebox lids offer easy opening, and are perfect for boxes that are opened and closed frequently.
Telescope lid covers the entire base regardless of the base size. A common example of a telescope lid is a candy box lid. Most every box of chocolates has a telescope lid. Telescope lids are perfect when you want a little more protection, and the box is not going to be opened and closed several times. If you like the look of the telescope lid, but know that the box will be opened and closed frequently, ask for “thumb notches” or “thumb holes”.
Specialty Lids: V-Shaped lids, angled lids are examples of unusual lid styles.
Size ranges for setup boxes: Your box can be as small as 1"W x 1"L x ½"D, or as large as 30"W x 30"L x 12"D. So, it doesn’t matter if your product is a small rare coin or a pair of Shaq’s shoes. Notwithstanding, standard depth is between 1-5 inches. Keep in mind that depths greater than 5 inches require extensive hand labor, and can make your boxes more expensive.
Decorating rigid setup boxes:
Paper choices are almost infinite. Paper can be embossed or smooth, solid or patterned, matte or gloss, white one side or colored clear through. Various textures such as suede, metal, and snakeskin are also possible. Foil and holographic papers are another way to add flare. White paper can be flood printed to match any pantone color you provide. Need more options:
Foil papers offer elegance and depth. When your box needs a classy or delicate look, plain or embossed foil papers are a good choice. Available in many colors, embossing patterns, and finishes, bright foils add a clean, modern look while dull foils will make your set-up box look soft and delicate. Acrylic latex paper has a unique and sensual appeal. Its soft matte finish provides a look of understated elegance and sophistication while the rose-petal softness of its surface begs to be touched. It’s ideal for applications requiring tactile richness coupled with strength.
Embossed Paper: Whether you choose gloss or matte, you can select an embossed paper. Choose embossed paper for high-end products. Linen, Leather, Crocodile and Ribbed are just a few of the hundreds of embossing patterns available. Embossed paper can take a setup box from beautiful to exquisite.
Specialty Papers: Choose specialty papers to give your customer a hint of what’s inside or just for fun. Foil paper, kid’s designs, patriotic, floral, stripes, polka dots…the possibilities are endless. Paper that looks like metal; paper that feels like suede; paper that looks and feels like snakeskin; you are only limited by your own imagination. When combining theme and patterned papers you can create a unique appearance to your setup box that will add eye appeal and distinction for your products.
Don’t forget about the inside of your box. Compliment that perfect wrapping paper with the perfect interior board color for an always classy appearance. If you want a specific inside color, a standard colored sheet or a custom printed sheet can be mounted to the chip.
Offset lithographic printing adds graphics to your set-up box. From one color line art to rich four-color photographic images can be produced on your setup box. You can print just the top of the lid or flood the entire lid and base. Looking for a cost effective way to reproduce your four-color photographic image? Print the entire telescope lid, and wrap the base in a solid white sheet.
Foil stamping is a cost effective way to say what you want to say and say it with distinction. Stamping has its own unique look that printing cannot emulate. Stamping also adds flare for high-end products. Choose foils for a vibrant, sophisticated look. Choose non foils for a softer, more subtle style.
Embossing: For an elegant, and timeless look, raise your graphics through embossing. Foil stamp and then emboss or leave it “blind”, the term for embossing patterns that are left unstamped and uncolored. Embossing signals to your customers that something stylish is just under the lid.
Coatings not only make the graphics look better, they offer a layer of protection so you don’t have to worry about ink fading or smearing when the boxes are frequently handled. Choices of coatings include Varnish, Aqueous, spot UV, and film lamination. For most one- and two-color line logos, varnish offers enough protection to prevent smudging. Heavier print coverage can usually be protected by aqueous coating which is a harder coating that also adds a nice sheen to your graphics. UV coating provides the best protection, and really makes your graphics pop with a shine comparable to glass or acrylic.
Don’t be afraid to splurge on graphics. It’s what sets your box apart from your competitor’s. When done right, graphics offer brand recognition, so that your customers immediately recognize your name and logo, and therefore, your products.
Laminating or printing the interior of your setup box: Why stop on the outside of your box? The inside of your box can be laminated as well. This special touch offers class and adds finesse. Graphics can also be printed on the inside of your box; such as game rules or instructions, so you’ll have no paper inserts to print.
Specialty rigid setup boxes
Velvet insert trays, ribbon pulls, loose wrap, magnet closures, and die cut patterns are just a few of the ways you can enhance your rigid setup box to create a style that’s unique to your product and company.
