All categories
Featured selections
Trade Assurance
Buyer Central
Help Center
Get the app
Become a supplier
(177879 products available)
Small carton boxes are used widely nowadays for various purposes and in numerous fields. These boxes are generally made of cardboard or paperboard. They come in various shapes and sizes. What makes them even better is the fact that they are lightweight, portable, and eco-friendly. This makes them the number one choice to use when it comes to packaging products.
We will focus on the small-sized carton boxes and note the different types of these small carton boxes based on the shape and design, purpose, and industry.
Folding carton boxes
These folding boxes are manufactured from thin cardboard materials and are meant to be folded into a box shape after a certain product is done with packaging. However, they are made in such a way that the face or flaps of the carton fold down and tuck away easily. This makes it easy for them to be stored or transported when empty. Commonly, these types of boxes are used for packaging lipstick, medicine, cereals, etc.
Rigid box
This type of box is really as the name suggests – rigid. Rigid boxes are hard, inflexible packaging solutions usually made from thick cardboard or chipboard. Unlike folding cartons, rigid boxes can’t be easily collapsed or folded. Rigid boxes are typically more expensive than folding cartons due to their sturdier construction. These days, they are mostly used for luxury items like jewelry, watches, and high-end cosmetics.
Slotted carton boxes
Slotted boxes are among the most basic kinds of box designs and are widely used in the packaging industries. They are called slotted boxes basically because they come with four flaps on top and four flaps at the bottom that can easily be slotted together. These types of boxes are used for shipping and storage of many products. They are used to pack products like small electronic gadgets, textile products, and other non-food items.
Telescoping box
Telescoping boxes consist of two separate parts – an outer box and an inner box that fits inside, hence the name telescoping. What this means is that these boxes can be adjusted or customized in size, especially when the inner and outer boxes are of different sizes. These boxes are commonly used where the packing of products requires such products to be safe from damage. For example, technical equipment, tools, and fragile items like glassware.
Special shaped boxes
These boxes, differently shaped, are designed specifically to accommodate certain products that may need special-shaped packaging. Such boxes may include hexagon-shaped boxes, pyramid boxes, and so on. They are typically manufactured from a strong material that will ensure that the specific product is protected during transit. For example, special-shaped boxes work great with packaging cosmetics like nail polish and perfumes or any other product that is small and sensitive in nature.
In the packaging industry, one of the reasons why carton boxes are such a popular choice is because they are so easily biodegradable. Carton boxes are made from materials such as paper and board that are derived from trees, which are renewable resources. In addition to that, however, small carton boxes used to package products have also been improved to give them a measure of waterproofing and sturdiness as well.
These materials include:
Cardboard paper
Cardboard paper is the most commonly used material in the manufacture of small carton boxes and, by extension, big carton boxes too. As already mentioned, these boxes are made from a type of thick paper that is manufactured from cellulose fibers in paper pulp, while board is the thicker and denser type of paper that is used to make packaging boxes such as carton boxes. These so-called cellulose fibers are the fibers that are found in the cell walls of plants, and especially the cotton plant. Cardboard is actually very strong and sturdy, which enables it to protect items while at the same time remaining very lightweight.
Chipboard
Chipboard is also a cheap box board material made from waste paper and newspapers. This material, chipboard, can also be used in making ecological oriented small carton boxes. Chipboard is not as strong or thick as regular cardboard, but can be easily molded into small boxes. It is so lightweight too that it makes a good option for women’s fashion items such as small hat boxes or purses that are not very heavy.
Corrugated paper
Corrugated paper is used to make boxes that are designed to pack items that require extra cushioning during transportation and handling. This type of paper consists of two flat sheets of paper and one corrugated sheet that is sandwiched and glued in between the two flat sheets of paper. The combination structure gives it outstanding strength and shock absorbing properties. Commonly, small corrugated boxes are used in packing glassware, electronic items, and any other product that is sensitive in nature.
Small carton boxes have many benefits. One of them is that they can be customized to improve their attractiveness to consumers and functionality. Factors that can be adjusted to improve the appearance of small carton boxes include their size, design, color, and printing. All these factors can be adjusted to serve specific product needs, even those of specific branding requirements.
Size and shape customization
Small carton boxes come in various standard sizes. However, it is standard practice to size them based on the product they are intended to carry or the purpose they are intended for. This increases or improves packing efficiency and reduces the wastage that occurs when carrying such products. The shape of such boxes can also be customized. For instance, regular boxes can be folded into unique patterns such as a pyramid or hexagon to make the packaging unattractive or appealing to the consumers.
Color and finishing options
Modern consumers’ preferences have been found to be closely related to the colors that are used in the packaging of products. For that reason, small carton boxes can be colored and have different surfaces such as glossy, matte finish, or even textured be used on them to make the said boxes more eye-catching, especially when placing the said boxes on the retailer’s shelve. Finishing options like spot UV, embossing, or foil stamping add to the premium appeal of the box, making it more attractive to upscale products.
Printing and branding
Small carton boxes have to be printed with whatever design is desired before they are wrapped around a product. This may include company logos, taglines, and other product information aimed at educating the consumer. Advanced printing techniques such as offset or digital printing ensure high-quality graphics and vibrant colors on the box. Customizing the box to include promotional messages or seasonal designs can also enhance the unboxing experience and strengthen brand loyalty.
Add-ons and accessories
Sometimes, the accessories that may be added to small carton boxes include handles, perforated openings, or windows. All these make the carton boxes look good and more functional, such as being able to carry whatever products are in the box or even being able to display the products attractively within the box. Adding a handle or a die-cut opening enhances the box's usability, making it easier for customers to carry or access the product.
These small boxes can be used in many packaging and shipping scenarios. These scenarios call for the use of such boxes for organizational purposes, aesthetic purposes, and safety of the products. Small boxes are useful in many situations, from e-commerce to retail and wholesale to food services to product manufacturers. Below are some scenarios where these small boxes come in handy packing products:
Cosmetics packaging solutions
It is very important for any cosmetic item to be attractively packaged in such a manner that the consumer will find the presentation appealing. Using small carton boxes, these cosmetic companies can wrap and present their products in a way that is upscale and elegant. These boxes are very useful for packaging such items as perfumes, lipsticks, and creams. It is standard practice to use these items in boxes that have polished finishes, embossing, or metallic foils. Doing this helps enhance the brand perception in the consumer’s mind.
Healthcare and pharmaceutical products
The healthcare and pharma industries make a lot of use of small carton boxes since most of their items are of the pak type. That is, these industries package items such as tablets, ointments, and bandages in boxes. They also make it possible for prescription drugs to be enclosed in small carton boxes. It is also standard practice to print vital information about the contents of the box on the outside of the box, as well as instructions for use and other safety measures.
Food and beverage industry
Small carton boxes are used in the food and beverage industry, especially when packaging dry foods like tea, snacks, and cereals. Those boxes are designed in such a way that they tightly seal and preserve the contents of the package. In addition, the exterior of the box is printed with colorful labels that contain nutritional information and other product details and cutline information. This makes it classy and more appetizing to the consumers.
Electronic accessories
Many people do not realize that small carton boxes are often used to package things like phones, gadgets, or accessories like chargers and earphones. Basically, it is all about making the items look classy, safe, and organized in many layer boxes, foldable boxes, or corrugated boxes. The outer pack is also branded with the name of the company and the product in a bid to enable the consumer to identify the product easily while shopping.
Gift packaging
Small carton boxes are also good and nice ways of gift wrapping anything, including presents. Most of these boxes come with some very attractive designs, colors, and finishes, including the embossed or glitter finish, most of which are designed specifically for the holiday season. The end users are also able to order customized gift boxes to fit special occasions and events like birthdays, weddings, and holidays, thus increasing the sentiments.
A1: Small carton boxes are used in countless ways to wrap and ship many office products. They are used for lipsticks, medicine, tea, and calenders. These boxes are very useful for protecting objects during transport and storage and making the products look good to consumers.
A2: Yes , small carton boxes are strong, especially when they are made out of layers of cardboard. Boxes such as these are designed to safely transport different types of contents. Some pack boxes are also made out of corrugated cardboard, further enhancing their ruggedness for shipping purposes.
A3: Yes. The design of these boxes can be changed easily, especially when they are printed through digital or offset methods. This makes it easier for companies to wrap their items artistically or even adjust the boxes for certain events or promotions.
A4: The choice of the small carton boxes is determined to a large extent by the product that is put in the box, the desired appearance of the product, and the purpose of the product. In these standard cases, regarding structural integrity and aesthetic appeal, several varieties of these boxes, such as rigid boxes, slotted boxes, and folding boxes, are compared and selected for their respective contents.
A5: Yes, many small carton boxes are eco boxes because they are first papered and later recycled. This makes them a responsible choice for companies that care about the environment. Even though some options have other layers added for more strength, many parts of the mok cartons are usually recyclable.
