Folding Cartons: 6 Styles to Suit Your Needs

Are you producing items that need to be packaged and shipped? Or displayed on a retail shelf? If so, it matters what type of folding carton you choose. There are many different styles, and the differences between them are often visible only in the closures and how they lock together. But these differences matter. Each design is optimal for a different range of products.

How many styles are you familiar with? Is there a style that might suit your needs better than one you are using now?

‍Straight tuck: A straight tuck carton is the most common type of folding carton. In this style, the top and bottom flaps fold from front to back in straight line with one another. This gives you nice, clean folded edges as visible from the front for outstanding shelf appeal.

‍Reverse tuck: A reverse tuck carton is so named because the tuck of the closure on the top of the box goes from the front to back, while the tuck on the bottom goes from back to front. On the printed sheet, this allows the folding cartons to fit together like puzzle pieces and maximizes the number on a printed sheet. This gives you the lowest possible price per box.

‍Auto bottom: In this design, the floor of the box snaps into place automatically as the box is popped open. The auto-bottom carton is a great option for manual fulfillment since these boxes can be assembled and filled very quickly.

‍Pillow pack: This unique style of folding carton looks as the name suggests — like a pillow. Its fun and unusual shape is often used for gift packaging or premium items.

‍Simplex tray: A simplex tray is a great option for packaging and displaying small to medium-sized products. Its double layered side walls offer protection for fragile products. When the lid is removed, these boxes can be used for retail display.

‍Snap-lock bottom: A snap-lock bottom carton has interlocking flaps that "snap" into place, making for a secure closure. This type of packaging takes a little more time to assemble than a standard tuck bottom box, but it can hold more weight and is often used for heavy or fragile items.

If one or more of these styles piques your interest, contact us for a consultation. You may find that a new style opens fresh, new opportunities to present and market your products.