Custom Folding Carton Inserts for Retail and Gift Packs

What is a folding carton insert?

A folding carton insert is a flat sheet of folding board that becomes a small tray. It is die cut with holes and slots and creased along fold lines. Once folded, its top panel stands above the base of the box.

Products drop into the holes and are held upright. Side walls fold under the panel and lock with tabs, so most styles need no glue.

Our photos show a pink drawer box with four slim cartons in a row. There is also a pastel tray with three slotted wells, and a bright box with a serum well. They belong to our packing supplies and insert range.

How is it different from a corrugated insert?

The board is the main difference. A folding carton insert is a single sheet of smooth card with no flutes. That makes it thinner, lighter and better for fine print and small cut-outs.

Corrugated board has a fluted middle layer, so it cushions heavier goods better. If you are shipping glass jars or full bottles of oil, our die cut corrugated inserts may be the safer pick.

How do I size a folding carton insert?

Begin with the inside of the outer box. The insert has to fit inside it with only a millimetre or two to spare, or it will shift.

Next, measure each product at its widest point and note its height. Decide how deep each item should sit. A bottle that sinks halfway into its well looks tidy and is easy to lift out.

Our step by step box measuring guide shows where to place the ruler. If you are unsure, send us your sizes and our designers will draw the tray for you at no cost.

Kraft or white folding board?

White folding board gives the cleanest base for print. Pastel shades, gradients and fine type all come out crisp, which is why most beauty sets use it.

Kraft folding board has a natural brown look. It suits handmade, organic and plant-based ranges, and pairs well with one or two ink colours. Both boards fold neatly and hold a sharp crease.

You can also print a solid colour over white board, so the tray matches a brand shade. The pastel pink and peach trays in our photos are white board printed edge to edge.

Can the insert be printed and finished?

Yes, and this is where card inserts shine. We print full colour CMYK on the top and underside, so the insert can match the outer box exactly.

Finishes include matte or gloss lamination, spot UV, foil stamping and embossing. A foil logo on the top panel, just above the products, is a simple way to make a set feel special. Short usage notes can sit beside each well, so customers know which step comes first.

What goes wrong with card inserts?

Asking card to hold too much weight is the main problem. A thin tray under a heavy bottle can sag, and the bottle then tips. Keep card inserts for light items, or ask us about a corrugated base.

Tight wells are the next issue. Allow a little clearance, and add a finger notch for items that sit deep. Last, check the lid. The top of the tallest product should sit just below it, not press against it.

One more trap: artwork that runs right up to a cut-out. A tiny shift in cutting can leave a white edge at the well. Keep text and logos a few millimetres clear of every hole, and our designers will flag anything too close on the proof.

Which boxes pair well with these inserts?

Drawer boxes, two piece lid boxes and tuck end cartons are the usual partners. The insert sits inside and the sleeve or lid closes over it. The products are then on show the moment the box opens.

They also work inside slim mailers when the products are light. For a shelf-ready carton with a printed insert, look at our printed tuck end boxes. We can size the box and insert together so the two match on the first proof.

Why do brands add a card insert at all?

An empty box with loose products inside looks unfinished. A printed tray turns the same products into a set. Each item has a set place, so the customer sees the full range at a glance.

Inserts also save time on the packing bench. Staff drop each item into its well and close the lid, with no wrapping or padding to cut. Missing items stand out at once, because an empty well is easy to spot.

There is a practical benefit for returns, too. When a customer sends a set back, it is plain to see whether every piece is still there.

How do I order folding carton inserts?

Pricing starts from £0.25 per unit, with the exact figure set on your written quote. Send the box inside size, a list of products with their sizes, and your artwork if you have it.

Request your price through the box and insert quote form, or reach us at info@ordercardboardboxes.co.uk or on WhatsApp. A free digital proof comes first. After approval, production runs 4 to 6 business days, and tracked delivery adds 2 to 3 business days.

We ship inserts free to any UK address. Damaged or misprinted inserts reported with photos within 10 days are reprinted or refunded.