Small kraft box, slightly open
Small Cardboard Boxes
From £0.20 a box, exact price on your quote
Compact boxes for small products: spare parts, samples, cosmetics, candles, jewellery and gifts. Made to your inside size so small items do not rattle around in a box built for something bigger.
- Design proof
- Free, sent before anything is printed
- Quote
- By email within one working day
- Production
- 4 to 6 working days after proof approval
- Delivery
- Free tracked UK mainland, 2 to 3 working days
- Reprint promise
- Misprints or damage reported within 10 days reprinted or refunded
Why Small Boxes Need Their Own Sizes
A small item in a big box is the most common packing mistake there is. It needs more void fill, costs more to send and arrives looking careless. A small box made to the product's size holds it still, cuts filling to almost nothing and keeps parcels light.
Which Style Works Best at Small Sizes?
At small sizes the choice is mostly about how the box opens and whether it needs tape.
| Style | Opens | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Small mailer | Hinged lid, tuck front | Gifts, cosmetics, online orders |
| Small slotted carton | Four flaps, taped | Parts, spares, trade packs |
| Tuck end box | Tuck flaps at each end | Retail products on a shelf |
| Box with lid | Lift-off lid | Jewellery, keepsakes, samples |
E Flute Is Usually the Answer
Thin E flute board suits small boxes well. It folds into tight corners, keeps the outside close to the inside size and prints crisply. B flute is worth it only for heavy small items, such as metal parts, where the extra thickness protects corners.
Common Uses for Small Cardboard Boxes
Many of these also sit inside a larger shipping box as an inner pack. A neat small box inside protects the product and makes the larger parcel easier to pack.
- Spare parts and fixings for trade customers
- Product samples and testers
- Candles, soaps and cosmetics
- Jewellery and watches
- Mugs and jars in a cube box
- Phone accessories and small electronics
How Do You Measure a Small Box?
Precision matters more at small sizes, because a few millimetres is a larger share of the box. Measure with a ruler or calipers rather than a tape measure if you can.
- Measure the item at its widest points to the millimetre.
- Allow 2 or 3 mm extra in every direction so it slides in without rattling.
- Add more only if the item is wrapped.
- Send the inside size and the quantity.
Printing on Small Boxes
Small panels need simple artwork. A logo on the lid, perhaps a web address on one side, reads well at small sizes. Full colour patterns also work on E flute. We check text size on the proof so nothing ends up too small to read. For shelf-ready packs with fine print, consider paperboard tuck end boxes instead.
What Do Small Boxes Cost?
Small boxes use little board, so they are among the most economical boxes we make, from £0.20 a box for plain compact sizes. Print and quantity have the biggest effect on the final price at small sizes.
Sizing Your Small Cardboard Boxes
Small boxes are quoted on the inside size in millimetres. At these sizes, measure carefully: a box 3 mm too small will not close, and one 10 mm too big will let the product rattle.
Cube sizes such as 100 x 100 x 100 mm are popular for mugs, jars and candles. Flat sizes suit jewellery and accessories.
Board for Small Cardboard Boxes
Small boxes are usually E flute. B flute is the choice for heavy small items. White paperboard suits very light retail packs.
| Board | Thickness (mm) | Strength | Best for | Print finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single wall E flute | about 1.5 | Light | Small mailers, postal boxes, retail packs | Very good, sharp print |
| Single wall B flute | about 3 | Medium | Shipping boxes, mailers for everyday parcels | Good |
| White paperboard | folding grade | Light | Retail cartons, gift boxes, inserts | Excellent, full colour |
Delivery and Reprints
Small boxes ship flat in outer cartons. A few hundred small boxes take up only a shelf or two when they arrive.
| Proof | Free, by email, before anything is printed |
|---|---|
| Production | 4 to 6 working days after you approve the proof |
| Delivery | Free and tracked to UK mainland addresses, 2 to 3 working days |
| Packed as | Flat, banded in bundles, in outer cartons |
| Problems | Misprints or damage reported within 10 days reprinted or refunded |
Small Cardboard Box Sizes
Popular small box inside sizes in millimetres. Any size can be made.
| Ref | Inside L × W × H (mm) | Recommended board | Typical use | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SM-01 | 100 × 100 × 100 | Single wall E flute | Cube for jars, mugs | Quote This Size |
| SM-02 | 120 × 90 × 60 | Single wall E flute | Parts, spares | Quote This Size |
| SM-03 | 150 × 100 × 80 | Single wall E flute | Cosmetics, samples | Quote This Size |
| SM-04 | 152 × 152 × 102 | Single wall B flute | Small gifts | Quote This Size |
| SM-05 | 180 × 130 × 70 | Single wall E flute | Accessories | Quote This Size |
| SM-06 | 200 × 150 × 100 | Single wall B flute | Small kits | Quote This Size |
Design Your Box
Put your logo on a real photo of our small cardboard boxes, move it and size it, then send it with your sizes. A designer sets it on the dieline and sends a free proof.
Small Cardboard Box FAQs
Sizes and Board
What counts as a small cardboard box?
Roughly anything under 200 mm on its longest side, though the label matters less than the fit.
Can small boxes be used inside a larger shipping box?
Yes. Small boxes make neat inner packs and help protect individual items in a mixed parcel.
Is a cube box good for a mug?
Yes. A cube of about 100 mm suits most standard mugs, with a little wrapping.
What board is best for small boxes?
E flute for most items, B flute for heavy small items such as metal parts.
How precise should my measurements be?
To the millimetre. Small errors matter more at small sizes.
Can I order several small sizes together?
Yes. List each size with its quantity and we price them on one quote.
Delivery and Returns
Do small mailers need tape?
No. Small mailers close with a tuck lid. Add a seal if you want proof of opening.
Are small boxes cheaper to post?
Usually yes. A small, close-fitting box keeps the parcel light and slim.
More Questions
Can I print a small logo clearly?
Yes. We check text and logo sizes on the proof so they stay readable.
Can small boxes have an insert?
Yes. A die cut insert holds a small product in place and looks neat when opened.
No question matches that word. Try another, or ask us directly below.
Still need help? Call +44 7578 382054, message us on WhatsApp or email info@buycardboardboxes.co.uk. Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5.30 pm UK time.
Request a Full Quote
Tell us as much as you know. If you are unsure about board or print, leave it on “Not sure yet” and we will suggest the right option with your price.