Custom Rigid Lid and Base Gift Boxes

What is a rigid lid and base gift box?

It is the classic two-piece shape: a base and a separate lid, each made from greyboard and covered in paper. The lid is made a fraction larger, so it slides over the base and rests on it.

Shops use it for clothes, shoes, candles and tea. Brands use it for gift sets and press kits. There is no hinge and no magnet, so the lid can be printed on all five outer faces. Compare it with the others in our full range of gift box styles.

How should the lid sit on the base?

The fit comes down to the gap between lid and base. Too tight and air gets trapped, so the lid sinks slowly or will not go on. Too loose and it rattles. We set the gap for the paper and board used, so the lid drops on with a slight slide and stays put.

There are three common ways to build the lid:

• Full-depth lid: the lid covers the base to the bottom, so the closed box looks like one solid block.
• Part-depth lid: the lid covers the top third or half, and the base shows below it in its own colour.
• Shoulder or neck: a collar stands up inside the base, the lid rests on a ledge, and a strip of the collar shows as a band.

Our photos show all three: a white box with a dark band, a grey cube with a short lid and a blue box with a deep lid.

Why choose a shoulder box?

The neck lets you show a second colour between the lid and the outer base. In our orange and grey sample, the bright collar sits inside a darker base and frames the product as the lid comes away.

The lid also sits flush with the base on the outside rather than overlapping it, so the closed box has straight sides. It costs more to make than a plain lid and base because there is a third part to wrap. Ask for both on your quote and decide once you see the difference.

What sizes do lid and base boxes come in?

Every box is made to your inside measurements in millimetres. These four are common places to start, not fixed sizes.

For a deep lid, add a few millimetres to the height so the lid clears the product. If you are unsure where to begin, our gift box size chart gives more starting points.

Why rigid board rather than card?

A rigid lid holds its shape, so it sits square every time it goes back on. A card lid tends to splay at the corners after a few openings.

The paper wrap folds over the board edges and tucks inside, which gives the crisp corners you see in the photos. Rigid styles are quoted higher than folding card, which starts from £0.25 a box, and take 8–10 working days once you sign off the proof.

How do you print a two-piece box?

Lid and base are wrapped separately, so each can have its own paper. A common choice is a printed lid over a plain coloured base, or the reverse. Full colour print, Pantone matching and printing inside both parts are all options.

Foil on the lid top works well because it is the flattest and most visible face. A debossed logo reads clearly on soft-touch paper. A thin line of text along the lid side, as on our white sample, can be read from any angle. Read about which finish suits which box before you decide.

What can you pack inside?

Lid and base boxes have room for layered packing. Tissue folded over the product, a printed card on top and an insert underneath is a common setup.

A single cut-out insert suits a candle or a jar. A raised card platform with a round recess, as in our blue sample, holds a small item at the top of the box. Rope handles and belly bands are options when the box will be carried rather than posted. More detail is in our guide to inserts for gift sets.

Which occasions suit a lift-off lid?

Fashion brands like it because a folded garment lies flat in the Large size with tissue on top. Candle and tea makers use the small cube. Wedding planners order them for bridesmaid gifts, and HR teams for long-service and retirement gifts.

The box is easy to reuse for storage, which is why people keep it after birthdays and anniversaries. For shirts and knitwear in particular, see our gift boxes for folded clothing.

What goes wrong with lid and base boxes?

A very tight lid on a deep box traps air. For soft contents, ask us to allow a little more clearance so the lid lifts away easily.

A full-depth lid hides the base completely, so there is no point spending design time on the outside of the base. Put the effort into the lid, where people actually look.

Lifting a heavy box by the lid alone can pull the base free. For heavier contents, a hinged magnetic box is the safer choice.

The two parts can separate in the post. Put a belly band or a sticker across the join, then pack the box in a mailer. We deliver your order made up, free and tracked to UK mainland addresses in 2–3 working days.

How to order rigid lid and base boxes

Have the product to hand when you start, so you can measure it. If it is not made yet, a sample or a drawing with sizes in mm will do.

1. Measure the product and decide the lid style: full depth, part depth or shoulder.
2. Request a quote with the size, quantity and finishes. It comes back within one working day.
3. Send your artwork, or try a layout first on Design Your Gift Box.
4. Approve the free proof once our designers have placed everything and made your edits.
5. Your boxes are made in 8–10 working days, then delivered free in 2–3 working days to the UK mainland.

Questions about fit or finish? Email info@thegiftboxes.co.uk or contact our gift box team between 9 am and 5.30 pm on weekdays.