- \n
- 2″ x 2″ x 4″ \u2013 lip balm, serums, small cosmetics<\/span><\/li>\n
- 4″ x 4″ x 2″ \u2013 candles, accessories, small gifts<\/span><\/li>\n
- 6″ x 6″ x 3″ \u2013 apparel, mugs, small electronics<\/span><\/li>\n
- 9″ x 6″ x 3″ \u2013 subscription boxes, DTC packaging<\/span><\/li>\n
- 12″ x 9″ x 4″ \u2013 multi-item kits, bulkier products<\/span><\/li>\n
- Custom sizing is also common for unique product shapes<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Refine Packaging helps brands choose the perfect dimensions based on product weight, presentation, and shipping needs. They offer custom box sizing at no extra cost, plus design support and dielines to ensure everything fits and looks professional.<\/span><\/p>\n
- \n
- Unlimited custom box size options<\/span><\/li>\n
- Expert sizing recommendations for your industry<\/span><\/li>\n
- Free dielines and design help<\/span><\/li>\n
- Low MOQs and fast turnaround<\/span><\/li>\n
- Great for eCommerce, retail, and subscription brands<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Get a Free Quote<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\nThese days, you can ship just about anything in a box.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There’s a box for nearly any size or shape item.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Need a box for some perishable meat? No problem. A bulky mattress? That can easily be delivered \u2013 in a box. A fragile 18th-century chandelier? Too easy.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Rest assured, if you need to ship it, there’s a box for you.<\/p>\n
Let’s dive right into how to measure a box, so you’ll know how to pick the right box size and style for your specific needs.<\/strong><\/p>\n
How to Measure a Box: Finding Your Box Size\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/How-to-Measure-a-Box-Finding-Your-Box-Size.png\")
<\/p>\nFirst off, you need to get the box size right.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
You’ve probably heard that old saying, \u201cmeasure twice and cut once.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Well, it’s relevant to box measurements as well. Before you place a large order for\u00a0custom boxes<\/a>, you need to make sure you’re ordering the right size for your printing and distribution processes. And simply eye-balling your measurements isn’t going to cut it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
If you want a jumping-off point measure to help gauge standard box sizes, consider the most common size shipping box is 16\u201dx12\u201dx12\u201d, a 1.5 cubic foot box.<\/strong><\/p>\n
The critical and crucial thing to remember when measuring the dimension of a box is that there are only dimension of two measurements \u2013\u00a0the interior and exterior<\/em> measurement. A common 16\u2033x12\u2033x12\u2033 box? Those are the inside box measurements. Outside, that same box measures 16 3\/8\u00d712 3\/8\u00d712 5\/8\u2033.<\/p>\n
As you can see, often these\u00a0box dimensions<\/strong>\u00a0can be close, but you need to know which is which to avoid costly mistakes. You’d hate to measure a box to have its dimensions be just a \u00bd inch off and not be able to fit any of your products in the box.<\/p>\n
When you see the box measurements listed in a catalog or a website,\u00a0they’re typically referring to the interior dimensions<\/em>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
Box sizes are measured by their internal dimensions, and are are listed in the order of length, width, and height (L x W x H).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
If you’re measuring for a\u00a0custom box<\/a>, you should measure the exact cubic size to the closest 1\/10th of an inch. That’s pretty precise, so double-check your numbers with a ruler or a tape measure.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\n\t\tShop Popular Products\n\t<\/h4>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/mailer-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Mailer Boxes with Logo<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/custom-soap-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Soap Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/Custom-Vape-Cartridge-Boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Vape Cartridge Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/hair-extension-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Hair Extension Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"CBD](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/cbd-packaging-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCBD Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Customizable](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/candle-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustomizable Candle Box Wholesale<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Pillow](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/custom-pillow-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nPillow Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/eyelash-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Printed Eyelash Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/cardboard-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Cardboard Boxes & Cardboard Packaging<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Product-Boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Printed Product Boxes for Retail<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/printed-lip-gloss-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Lip Gloss Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom-Made](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Custom-Made-Lip-Balm-Packaging-Boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom-Made Lip Balm Packaging Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"CBD](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/CBD-Display-Boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCBD Display Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/bath-bomb-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Bath Bomb Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/collapsible-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Collapsible Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/Kraft-Boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Kraft Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/printed-medicine-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Printed Medicine Packaging Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n\n \n\n\n![\"Custom](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/05\/hanger-boxes.jpg\")
\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n \n \n \nCustom Hanger Boxes<\/h5>\n <\/a>\n\n Learn More <\/i><\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n <\/span>\n\n <\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/span><\/p>\n
Now let’s talk about the exterior measurement of the box, which will determine your shipping costs.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
While the costs of shipping vary widely between services and carriers, you can ballpark what you might expect to pay using their specific box size guidelines.\u00a0FedEx<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0USPS<\/a>\u00a0offer fairly straightforward guides.<\/p>\n
Obviously, anything that falls outside of their basic pricing guidelines could be subject to even higher costs.<\/p>\n
After you’ve packed up your box and taped it shut, measure the inside dimensions against the exterior, so you’ll know how much volume the box will take up on the truck. The volume of a square box is the cube of length of the side of the square box. Put another way, if you’re shipping in bulk, the exterior measurements will also give you an idea of how many boxes you can fit on a pallet.<\/p>\n
When you begin to measure dimensions before printing, note that manufacturers have manufacturing variance. Acceptable manufacturing variance is the difference between estimated and actual costs of a full production run, which typically range above or below 10% of the estimated cost.<\/p>\n
Box Styles Explained: How Boxes Are Built<\/b><\/h2>\n
![\"Box](\"https:\/\/refinepackaging.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/10\/Box-Styles-Explained-How-Boxes-Are-Built.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSo now, you should have a good grasp size box sizes you need, but now comes the tricky part.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
There are virtually hundreds of\u00a0box styles<\/a>\u00a0to choose from. I know, who would have thought there could be such a variety.<\/p>\n
But consider for a minute all of the different products and items and things and knick-knacks that ship on a daily basis. Remember our earlier examples? Perishable meat, bulky mattress, fragile 18th-century chandelier?<\/p>\n
You need a lot of different square boxes to ship a lot of different products. And this is the nuts and bolts of packaging.<\/p>\n
You might have the prettiest looking box. You might offer the best possible product. But a mismatch between the two can result in damaged goods or a poor\u00a0unboxing experience<\/a>\u00a0for the consumer.<\/p>\n
Nobody wants that.<\/p>\n
Let’s take a deep dive into\u00a0all of the possible box types and styles<\/strong>\u00a0to ensure you have that winning combination that will make both your customers and your brand happy.<\/p>\n
Finding the Best Box Type for Your Strength and Build Requirements\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The majority of retail packages that you’ll see lining the shelves of any brick-and-mortar store \u2013 from cereals, milk, cosmetics \u2013 come in\u00a0carton boxes<\/a>. While these are one of the most well-known and diverse box types available, they aren’t intended for shipping.<\/p>\n
For our purposes below, we’ll be considering shipping needs as well. And when discussing\u00a0shipping boxes<\/strong>, the primary package type being referenced is the\u00a0corrugated box<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n
- Expert sizing recommendations for your industry<\/span><\/li>\n
- 4″ x 4″ x 2″ \u2013 candles, accessories, small gifts<\/span><\/li>\n