If there's one thing people love as much as buying shiny, new things, it's the experience of unboxing them. There's nothing quite like the curiosity and mystery of cracking open a box. It's so popular, in fact, that there is an entire category of unboxing videos on YouTube.

But before that experience even begins, customers are looking for eye-catching custom boxes to excite their imagination. Standard cardboard boxes don't exactly inspire confidence. Therefore, just a little bit of custom packaging printing can go a long way.

In this guide, we'll give you everything you need to make your own custom-printed packaging.

Why Bother with Custom Boxes?

Aside from the unboxing experience and general aesthetics, why should businesses make their own custom shipping boxes? There's a lot more to it than just the looks alone.

For starters, every type of product often needs its own unique packaging. If you ship items that have an uncommon shape or are fragile, you want to make sure they arrive in perfect condition.

If you toss them into the average box with packing peanuts, there is a bigger risk of mishandling on the way to delivery. And when one in ten packages arrive damaged, that's not a risk you want to take.

Custom-made boxes can be formfitting, protecting the item in transit. Fragile items such as electronics and glass bottles get the perfect enclosure to keep them safe.

Further, custom boxes prevent unnecessary wastage. If you go generic, your boxes will often be far too big. Bigger boxes mean more wasted material and costlier shipping rates.

Finally, custom boxes convey professionalism and give the sense that you are an established, trustworthy brand. Generic boxes can sometimes have the opposite effect.

Choose Your Box Form Factor

There are a lot of variables that go into choosing the box form factor. Some companies want boxes with minimal empty space to pack them tightly onto shipping pallets. These are the formfitting boxes we mentioned earlier.

Others may want custom gift boxes with uncommon dimensions, such as a hexagon two-piece. These boxes are less about packing efficiency and more about aesthetics.

Then there are packages that make opening it more interesting than just cutting open the top flaps. These boxes will cost slightly more and require additional labor to fold into their final form.

The last factor is how much money you intend to budget for custom package printing. More elaborate designs will look amazing, but they do come with an added cost. In the end, options are virtually endless for what box design you can choose from.

Choose Box Materials and Features

Your choice of box material depends entirely on what you intend to package. Items like cosmetics or vape cartridges require only thin cardboard walls with a plastic mold insert. Sensitive electronics, on the other hand, likely require corrugated cardboard to provide durability and shock absorption.

You can also choose to include decorative features on your boxes. For example, gold or silver foil for luxury items. Your boxes can also include viewport cutouts that allow customers to see the content, and much, much more.

You may prefer boxes that are more hardy and durable. If you are concerned about water damage, you may want to choose a box material better suited to that.

Choose Box Dimensions

Now that you've settled on the form factor and materials, it's time to input your dimensions. In most cases, you will be able to choose custom dimensions. There will be minimal limitations, and only in a few rare cases will boxes be restricted to preset numbers.

As the saying goes, measure three time, but cut once. Consider ordering sample boxes to make sure that all the measurements are correct. Holding the box in your hands, physically, gives you a more accurate idea of what you're shipping out.

Design the Box and Logo Placement

Now comes the fun part. Choosing your box's overall look, and how the logo will fit into the design, it's a uniquely satisfying challenge.

Possibilities are endless for how your box will appear and feel. But let's cover a few basic things you should consider before you settle on a final design:

• surface texture, whether matte, glossy, or otherwise
• how many sides will you print on
• where to place ingredient lists and other statements to stay in compliance
• leaving space for stickers, wraps, and other decorations
• interior print designs

There's nothing wrong with iterating. Create prototypes and then build on them. Improve with each version until you have settled on one that makes you happy.

Create a Box With the Unboxing Experience in Mind

Everything comes to a head with how all these elements interact together. Everything from the internal wrapping, to the pull tabs, to the weight and feel will impact the unboxing experience.

Put yourself in the customer's shoes and go through the process for yourself. This will be invaluable information to tweak your brand's retail experience before it hits the shelves.

Don't hesitate to ask your box maker to give you ideas. They've done this a million times before, so they'd be more than happy to give pointers. Making an unforgettable unboxing experience will be sure to leave a lasting impression on your customers.

Have Hola Make Your Custom Boxes

Custom boxes are a necessity to single your company out from the piles and piles of packages people receive each year. Custom designs and form factors can really make your product pop in the eyes of the consumer. Keep the above tips in mind as you develop an unboxing experience that they are unlikely to forget.

Hola helps you get everything just right before your items reach customer's hands. Request a custom quote, get free shipping, and get free design support all on our website.