Gift Box Styles, Sized to What Goes Inside

Which gift box style suits your product?

A style is simply how the box opens and closes. That decides how the gift is revealed, how much room the print gets and how the box sits on a shelf.

Five of the six styles here are rigid boxes built from greyboard wrapped in printed paper. The clear lid box is the odd one out: it folds up from printed card, so it costs less and is made faster.

• Magnetic lid: a hinged flap held shut by hidden magnets.
• Rigid lid and base: a separate lid that lifts straight up off a base.
• Drawer: a tray that slides out of an outer sleeve, often with a ribbon pull.
• Book style: a hinged cover that opens sideways like a hardback.
• Clear lid: a card base under a see-through lid, so the contents show.
• Round: a cylinder base with a lid that sits over the top edge.

How do the six styles compare?

The table puts the practical differences side by side. Production times count from the day you approve the proof.

What does each style feel like to open?

A magnetic lid box opens like a flip-top. The flap swings back on its hinge, and when you close it the magnets pull it flat with a soft click.

A lid and base box is the most familiar shape. The lid slides down over the base and stops at the bottom edge, or at a shoulder if you want the base to show a contrasting colour.

A drawer box keeps its sleeve closed while the tray slides out. A ribbon or card pull at one end gives fingers something to grip.

Book style and round boxes are about shape. The book cover opens sideways to show the tray all at once, while a round lid lifts off a tube and suits a ribbon tied across the top. Our guide on magnetic, lid and base or drawer boxes goes deeper on the three most asked about.

Rigid board or folding card: what changes?

Rigid boxes start as greyboard panels that are wrapped by hand in printed or coloured paper. They arrive built, hold their shape when stacked and are kept long after the gift is gone.

That extra work shows in the time and the price. Rigid styles take 8–10 working days after proof approval and are quoted higher than folding card on your quote.

The clear lid box folds from a single printed sheet of card or kraft. It starts from £0.25 a box and is made in 4–6 working days, which suits favours, sweets and bakes. If a rigid build is what you need, see the full range of rigid gift boxes.

How do you size a gift box style?

Every box is made to your product, so start with what goes inside. Measure it, add a little room for tissue or an insert, and send the inside size in millimetres as length, width and height.

Each product page lists four typical sizes as a common starting point, such as about 220 × 160 × 80 mm for a medium magnetic lid box. These are guidance only, not stock sizes. The guide on measuring a gift box in millimetres walks through it.

Which finishes and extras work on each style?

All six take full colour print, printing inside, and matt, gloss or soft-touch lamination. Foil in gold, silver, rose gold or a colour, embossing, debossing and spot UV are added as options.

Some extras belong with certain styles. Ribbon pulls suit drawers, ribbon ties suit round lids, and card, foam or pulp inserts cut to the product hold bottles or jars still in a magnetic or book style box. Read how matt, gloss and foil compare before you choose a lamination.

Ordering a box in any of these styles

1. Pick the style and tell us what will go inside it.
2. Send the inside size in millimetres, or the product size and we will suggest one.
3. Share your logo or artwork, or describe the design you want.
4. Get a quote within one working day.
5. Approve the free design proof, with edits until it is right.
6. Receive the boxes by free tracked UK mainland delivery in 2–3 working days after production.

Minimums are low and quoted per job. When you are ready, ask for a quote and mention the style you have in mind.