Folding cartons

The folding carton is the workhorse of packaging: low weight, flat delivery and high print quality. The deciding detail is the structure: how the lid locks, how the base holds and how easily it assembles.

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Folding carton standing beside its die-cut flat blank

Common structures

Straight tuck end with a tuck-in lid: simple and inexpensive.
Reverse tuck end for a cleaner front.
Snap-lock base that assembles quickly by hand.
Crash-lock base for heavier contents and faster packing.

Material and thickness

Board between 250 and 400 gsm is most common. Lighter board is enough for small, light products; heavier is needed when the carton carries weight or is stacked. Uncoated board gives a matt, natural feel, coated gives saturated print. For moisture or grease, barrier-coated board can be used.

Print, creases and die

Offset gives the most even result at larger runs; digital print is better for small volumes and many variants. Creases should follow the board grain to avoid cracking, especially over dark solids. We always keep clearance between print and crease so cracking does not land in a logo or text.

Good to know

MOQ around 250-300 units depending on format and print method.
Lead time normally 6-8 weeks after confirmed design.
Flat delivery clearly lowers freight and storage cost compared with rigid boxes.

Close-up of the folding carton tuck-in lid and creased folds

Material, structure and finish in detail

We review board quality, thickness, fit, print technique and finishing with you and turn it into a specification a supplier can produce against.

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Which base should I choose?: Snap-lock for light products and small volumes, crash-lock when many cartons are packed quickly or contents are heavier.
Can folding cartons be used for food?: Yes, with materials and inks intended for food contact. Requirements are confirmed by the supplier for the specific material.
Why does print crack at the crease?: Usually because of grain direction, heavy ink coverage or too hard a crease. It is addressed in structure and print preparation.
Can you create a dieline from my product?: Yes. We measure the product, set tolerances and deliver a dieline used for both print and die-cutting.

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