There are seemingly endless amounts of different box styles for folding cartons (paperboard boxes). They vary not just in style but, of course, in dimensions as well. I’ve included here some basic elements of the more common features of folding cartons.
For a quick reference to a more diverse selection of box styles – click here.
Arguably, the most common box styles are TUCK TOP. There are principally two types of tuck top boxes: Reverse Tuck End (RTE) and Straight Tuck End (STE). These boxes are made of paperboard typically ranging from 14pt (thinner – for lighter products) to 36pt (thicker – for heavier products)
Reverse Tuck End (RTE) Box Styles
The top closure tucks from the rear to the front, and the bottom closure tucks from the front to the rear.
PROS to Reverse Tuck End (RTE) Box Styles
- Cost effective because you can run more boxes at one time on the same sized paperboard as opposed to the Straight Tuck End (see below), reducing waste and set-up fees.
- Easy assembly
- Compact storing (stores flat) for excess packaging inventory
- Relatively quick to load your product in this packaging
- Works well for lighter weight products
CONS to Reverse Tuck End (RTE) Box Styles
- Not good for heavy products
- Not as aesthetically pleasing because of the visible raw edges in the front of the box
Industries that most commonly use RTE:
- Health and Beauty
- Cosmetics
- Pharmaceutical
- Electronics
- Nutraceautical
Straight Tuck End (STE) Box Styles
Both the top and bottom closures tuck from the front to the rear.
PROS to Straight Tuck End (STE) Box Styles
- More luxurious than RTE because there are no white raw edges visible on the front of the box
- Avoids any impedance between the tuck flap and any front window film (see-through window to display the product) you may choose to utilize
- Easy assembly
- Compact storing (stores flat) for excess packaging inventory
- Works well for lighter weight products
- Relatively quick to load your product in this packaging
CONS to Straight Tuck End (STE) Box Styles
- More expensive, manufactures less boxes at one time per paperboard sheet
- Not good for heavy products
Industries that most commonly use STE:
- Health and Beauty
- Cosmetics
Tuck Top Snap-Lock Bottom (TTSLB)
(also called 1-2-3 Bottom)
This box, also known as a “1-2-3 bottom”, has a bottom closure that closes in 3 simple steps.
PROS to Tuck Top Snap-Lock Bottom (TTSLB) Box Styles
- Works well for heavier products (bottom closure can handle more weight)
- Relatively quick loading (the 3 steps are fairly speedy)
- Compact storing (stores flat) for excess packaging inventory
- Easy assembly
- Large volumes can off-set the extra expense of the snap-lock bottom
- Sits well on retail shelves because package bottom is nice and flat
CONS to Tuck Top Snap-Lock Bottom (TTSLB) Box Styles
- More expensive than a bottom tuck box
- Takes slightly more time to “set-up”
Industries that most commonly use TTSLB:
- Health and Beauty
- Toys
- Food
- Pharmaceutical
Tuck Top Auto Bottom (TTAB)
(Bottom Pops into Place Automatically)
This box (also known as an Auto Bottom) has a bottom closure that makes setting up the box a breeze.
PROS to Tuck Top Auto Bottom (TTAB) Box Styles
- Works very well for heavier products (bottom closure can handle more weight)
- Ultra fast assembly
- Super speedy loading
- Compact storing (stores flat) for excess packaging inventory
- Large volumes can off-set the extra expense of the Auto Lock Bottom
- Sits well on retail shelves because package bottom is nice and flat
CONS to Tuck Top Auto Bottom (TTAB) Box Styles
- More expensive than a bottom tuck or snap-lock bottom (because factory has to perform an extra step by gluing the bottom)
Industries that most commonly use TTAB:
- Health and Beauty
- Cosmetics
- Toys
- Food
- Pharmaceutical
Closures Types for the Tuck Top Box Styles
All of these Tuck Top Boxes can include “Slit-Lock” or “Friction Fit” lock features for extra snug hold and to prevent the top from bowing.
The choice of box styles for folding cartons can be vast indeed. However, many of the elements listed above are applicable to most of the typical box styles in common usage in today’s retail marketplace.
This has been a part of my tutorial series called How to Buy Packaging 101. So click the link below to head back if you haven’t finished reading it yet. 🙂