FAQ
Tuck box questions
Short answers first. Each topic below links to the page with the full answer.
Ordering, prices and shipping
What is a tuck box?
A folding carton that closes with a tuck flap: a flap with a curved edge that slides inside the box, held by friction and small dust flaps. It ships flat and is folded by hand, with no glue needed to close it.
Which tuck style should I choose?
Reverse tuck end (RTE) is the everyday default. Choose straight tuck end when the front panel must stay uninterrupted, an auto or snap lock bottom for heavier products, a hang tab for peg walls, a window to show the product, and the tuck front mailer if the box ships on its own. The style picker on the home page asks four questions and suggests one.
How are your prices set?
Prices on the site are for the exact size, board, print and quantity listed, and include standard ground shipping to the contiguous US. Every other size, board, finish or quantity gets a free quote.
Is there a minimum order?
Items with a fixed price can be ordered as listed, from a single printed piece to the pack sizes shown. For other quantities, tell us what you need in the quote form and we reply with what is possible and the price.
Will I see my design before it prints?
Yes. You get a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline, and nothing prints until you approve it.
Do you help with artwork?
Yes, design help is free: send your logo and an idea, or your finished artwork, and we place it on the dieline with you. Free dielines for the common styles are on the dielines page.
How fast is production?
Production is fast once you approve your proof. Your quote or order confirmation tells you what to expect for your order; delivery dates are estimates.
How do I pay?
Pay later: place your order with no card, approve your proof, then pay the invoice.
Where do you ship?
Tuckmade serves businesses in the United States. Standard ground shipping to the contiguous US is included in listed prices; Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico are quoted.
What do you not make?
Only tuck boxes are made here. Pillow boxes, gable boxes, rigid and two-piece boxes, cartons glued at both ends, regular slotted shipping cartons, bags and labels are not.
Do your boxes carry certifications?
No certification or environmental claims are made for these boxes. If a product touches the box directly, such as food or treats, pack it in a sealed inner bag.
What artwork files do you need?
A print-ready PDF or Adobe Illustrator file with fonts outlined, images at 300 dpi at final size, and artwork extended 1/8 in past every cut edge. If you only have a logo, send that and we help with the rest.
FAQ · Styles
Styles questions
What is a straight tuck end box?
Top and bottom tuck flaps both close from the front to the back, so the front panel is uninterrupted. It is best for shelf boxes where the front panel carries the design; window and hang-tab builds; light products up to about 1 lb (estimate).
Full answer →What is a reverse tuck end box?
Top flap tucks from back to front and bottom flap from front to back (opposite directions). The most common folding carton style. It is best for cosmetics, supplements, candles, tea, vape and CBD cartons, playing cards; the default when a buyer says "tuck box".
Full answer →What is a French reverse tuck end box?
Like RTE but the top tuck flap hinges on the long side, so the box opens like a tray with a lid that tucks at the front. It is best for flat, wide products shown face-up: eyeshadow palettes, socks, gift cards, stationery sets.
Full answer →What is a tuck top auto bottom box?
Tuck flap on top; the bottom is pre-glued and pops into a locked base when the flat carton is opened. It is best for heavier retail items (jars, bottles, electronics), fast hand-packing lines. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a snap lock bottom box?
Tuck flap on top; four bottom flaps interlock by hand (no glue), stronger than a tuck bottom. It is best for medium-weight products where a glued auto bottom is not worth it: candles, mugs, hardware, glass bottles. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a tuck top seal end box?
Hybrid: glued (seal end) bottom for strength or tamper evidence, tuck flap on top for re-opening. It is best for food and OTC cartons filled on a line; cereal-style cartons. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a hang tab box?
Straight or reverse tuck carton with an extended back panel die-cut with a euro slot or round hole for peg hooks. It is best for peg-wall retail: phone accessories, chargers, hardware, auto parts, lashes, socks. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a custom window box?
Any tuck style with a die-cut window, open or closed with a clear film patch. It is best for toys, baked goods, soap, candles, lashes, socks: anything that sells by being seen. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a custom boxes with inserts?
Tuck carton plus a die-cut paperboard insert, cradle or partition that holds bottles, vials or several items in place. It is best for dropper bottles, vial sets, mugs, multi-pack candles, gift sets, electronics with accessories. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a double wall tuck box?
Folding carton with doubled side walls (rolled over) and a tuck-in front lid; a stiff tray-style box without corrugate. It is best for premium-feel retail and gift boxes, jewelry, apparel accessories, stationery. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a tuck top mailer box?
Corrugated mailer: the lid has a tuck flap that slides into the front wall, sides roll over and lock with ears. It is best for shipping direct to customers, subscription boxes, PR kits, donuts and baked goods (with food-contact liners where needed).
Full answer →What is a roll end tuck top box?
Paperboard version of the mailer: rolled side walls, hinged lid with a tuck flap. It is best for lightweight gift and retail sets, soap and bath sets, stationery, kits. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a custom cereal box?
Tall, slim reverse tuck or tuck-top/seal-end carton with a large front billboard. It is best for cereal, granola, pasta, snacks, bath salts, long candles, bottles of wine-style spirits mock packs. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a custom display box?
Tuck-end carton whose lid folds back or tears off on a perforation to become a countertop display tray. It is best for lip balm, gummies, vape and CBD singles, lighters, candy bars at checkout. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a custom sleeve box?
Printed tuck carton inside a slide-on sleeve (belly band or full sleeve) for a two-layer reveal or seasonal re-skin. It is best for seasonal editions, limited drops, soap and tea where one box serves several SKUs and the sleeve changes.
Full answer →What is a custom hexagon box?
Six-sided folding carton with a tuck-in top lid (only the tuck-lid version; two-piece rigid hexagons are excluded). It is best for candles, gift sets, chocolates, tea, premium soap. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a playing card tuck box?
Small reverse tuck carton sized to a deck, usually with a thumb notch and dust flaps. It is best for playing cards, tarot and oracle decks, card games, flash cards, business card sets. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is a kraft tuck box?
Any tuck style on natural brown kraft paperboard; prints best with bold colours and white ink. It is best for soap, candles, tea, coffee, natural and handmade products that want a raw look. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →FAQ · Materials
Materials questions
What is SBS paperboard, coated one side?
Bright white virgin-fibre board with a smooth printing face. The standard for cosmetics, supplements and retail cartons. Solid bleached sulfate is the white board most retail cartons are printed on. Thickness is given in points: 1 pt is 0.001 in, so 18pt board is 0.018 in thick.
Full answer →What is SBS paperboard, coated two sides?
Coated inside and out, for boxes printed inside. Coated on both faces, so print inside the carton is as crisp as outside. Choose it when you want a message or a pattern on the inside panels. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is CCNB?
White coated face, grey recycled back. Lower cost for food and household cartons. Clay-coated news back is made with recycled fibre: a white coated printing face and a grey back. It prints well outside, costs less than SBS and is common for household and grocery cartons. The inside stays grey.
Full answer →What is Kraft paperboard?
Unbleached brown board. Natural look; prints darker, white ink available on request. Unbleached brown board with a natural look. Ink prints darker on kraft than on white board; white ink underneath brings back lighter colours. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is Recycled paperboard?
Board made with recycled fibre, with the same print face as standard paperboard. The recycled share is confirmed with your quote. Board made with recycled fibre. Ask for the exact grade with your quote: a recycled-content figure is only stated when the mill data sheet confirms it.
Full answer →What is Metallized board?
Mirror-silver laminated board; printed colours turn metallic, white ink blocks the shine. Board laminated with a silver or gold metallized film. Print over it with white ink underneath where you want solid colour, and leave areas unprinted to shine. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is Holographic board?
Rainbow-pattern laminated board for cosmetics, vape and collectibles. Board with a rainbow holographic film face that shifts with the light. Best used with large unprinted areas. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is Black board?
Black all the way through, so edges and folds stay black; pairs with foil. Dyed black through the sheet, so edges and folds stay black. Foil, white ink and spot UV work better on it than full-colour printing. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →What is E-flute corrugated, white?
Thin corrugated for mailers and heavier cartons; prints well on a white liner. Corrugated board with a thin flute (about 1/16 in) and a white outer liner. Stronger than paperboard for shipping and heavier items, still crisp enough to print on.
Full answer →What is E-flute corrugated, kraft?
Brown corrugated for mailers. The same thin E-flute with a brown kraft outer liner, for a natural look on mailers and heavier cartons. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints. Design help is free, and any size, board or finish not listed is quoted free by email.
Full answer →What is B-flute corrugated?
Thicker corrugate for heavier mailers. A thicker flute (about 1/8 in) for heavier shipping loads. It protects more and prints less finely than E-flute. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints. Design help is free, and any size, board or finish not listed is quoted free by email.
Full answer →What is F-flute micro-flute?
Very thin corrugate that still folds like a carton: crush resistance with tuck-box looks. Micro-flute (about 1/32 in): sits between paperboard and E-flute, for retail cartons that need extra crush strength. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →FAQ · Industries
Industries questions
Which tuck boxes do cosmetics and skincare brands use?
Primary cartons for lipstick, mascara, foundation, serum, cream jars and palettes; RTE and STE on 18pt SBS with soft-touch and foil dominate. The styles used most here are straight tuck end, reverse tuck end, french reverse tuck end, tuck top auto bottom.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do perfume and fragrance brands use?
Perfume, roll-on and essential-oil cartons, often with an insert and foil. The styles used most here are reverse tuck end, tall tuck carton. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints. Design help is free, and any size, board or finish not listed is quoted free by email.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do hair and personal care brands use?
Shampoo, hairspray, beard oil, hand sanitizer, hair tools and extensions. The styles used most here are reverse tuck end, tuck top auto bottom, tuck end with window, tall tuck carton. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do candles and home fragrance brands use?
Jar and pillar candles in RTE or snap-lock cartons, taper candles in long tucks, incense in slim tucks. The styles used most here are straight tuck end, reverse tuck end, tall tuck carton, kraft tuck box. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do soap and bath brands use?
Bar soap in small tuck cartons (often windowed or kraft), bath bombs in cubes. The styles used most here are reverse tuck end, kraft tuck box. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do supplements and otc health brands use?
Bottle, pill and blister cartons; tuck top auto bottom for heavier bottles. The styles used most here are reverse tuck end, tuck top auto bottom, tuck top, seal end bottom, tuck box with insert or partitions. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do cbd and hemp (where legal) brands use?
Tincture, gummy, oil and pre-roll cartons. The styles used most here are reverse tuck end. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints. Design help is free, and any size, board or finish not listed is quoted free by email.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do vape and e-liquid (21+) brands use?
Device and e-liquid cartons, cartridge boxes. The styles used most here are reverse tuck end. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints. Design help is free, and any size, board or finish not listed is quoted free by email.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do tea and coffee brands use?
Tea bag cartons, matcha tins and stick packs, coffee pods and bags in tuck cartons. The styles used most here are reverse tuck end. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints. Design help is free, and any size, board or finish not listed is quoted free by email.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do food and confectionery brands use?
Chocolate, candy, cookies, brownies, snacks and cereal in tuck cartons, often windowed. The styles used most here are reverse tuck end, tuck end with window, tall tuck carton. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do electronics and accessories brands use?
Chargers, phone cases, cables, batteries and screen protectors: hang-tab STE on shelves, auto-bottom for heavier units. The styles used most here are straight tuck end, tuck end with hang tab, tuck box with insert or partitions. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do toys, games and playing cards brands use?
Window tucks for figures and dolls, deck boxes for card games and tarot, blind boxes. The styles used most here are straight tuck end, reverse tuck end, tuck end with window, playing card tuck box. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do hardware and auto parts brands use?
Spark plugs, bulbs, small hardware and tools: tuck top auto bottom and hang tab for peg walls. The styles used most here are straight tuck end, reverse tuck end, tuck top auto bottom, tuck end with hang tab. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do apparel and accessories brands use?
Socks, underwear, ties, caps, gloves, jewelry and cufflinks in flat or double-wall tucks. The styles used most here are straight tuck end, reverse tuck end, french reverse tuck end, double wall tuck front. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do pet products brands use?
Treat and food cartons, pet soap. The styles used most here are tuck top auto bottom, tuck end with window. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints. Design help is free, and any size, board or finish not listed is quoted free by email.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do stationery, books and gifts brands use?
Pens, pencils, gift cards, stationery sets, ornaments and seasonal gifts. The styles used most here are straight tuck end, reverse tuck end, french reverse tuck end, double wall tuck front. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints.
Full answer →Which tuck boxes do subscription and e-commerce brands use?
Roll end tuck front mailers for monthly boxes, PR kits and direct-to-consumer shipping. The styles used most here are roll end tuck front mailer. Every order gets a digital proof of your artwork on the dieline before anything prints. Design help is free, and any size, board or finish not listed is quoted free by email.
Full answer →FAQ · Blog
Blog questions
How much bleed should a tuck box have?
Use 1/8 in (0.125 in, about 3 mm) past every cut edge unless your printer gives a different figure. Bleed applies to the body panels, the tuck flaps and the dust flaps, wherever artwork reaches a cut line.
Full answer →Can I print on the glue flap?
Leave the glue area unprinted. Glue bonds best to bare board, and ink or coating in that zone can weaken the side seam. A small overlap of background colour at the fold between the flap and the panel is fine.
Full answer →Does the safe area apply to fold lines too?
Yes. On a tuck box, keep text, logos and barcodes about 1/8 in away from every fold as well as every cut, so nothing cracks, wraps around a corner or ends up on the wrong panel.
Full answer →Where should the barcode go on a tuck box?
Usually on the back panel, on a flat area clear of folds and edges, with the quiet zone on each side kept free of other artwork so it scans reliably.
Full answer →