Custom Kraft Paper Tubes with Lids for Tea, Candles and Gifts

What are kraft paper tubes?

Kraft paper tubes are round containers made by rolling layers of paperboard into a cylinder. A brown kraft paper wrap goes on the outside. A base is fitted at one end and a matching lid at the other.

Most have an inner neck: a slightly narrower ring of board that sticks up from the base tube. The lid slides over it and stops at a neat shoulder, so the join sits flush.

Our photos show tall tubes in natural brown, a wide shallow round box, white tubes with fine black type, and a pink printed pair. For other round styles, see our round cardboard cylinder boxes.

Why choose a kraft finish?

The brown paper look says natural and handmade before anyone reads a word. It suits tea blenders, soap makers, candle makers and anyone with a plant-based range.

Kraft also hides small scuffs, which helps on a busy shop shelf or in a market stall crate. A single dark ink, a stamp-style logo or a foil mark looks crisp on brown paper without full colour printing.

It is also forgiving on a budget. One ink colour on brown paper can look as considered as a full colour wrap, because the paper itself does part of the work.

How do I measure for a kraft tube?

Tubes are sized by inside diameter and inside height. For a jar or tin, measure across the widest part of the body or lid, whichever is larger. Add 2 to 3 mm so it slides in easily.

For height, measure from the base to the top of the product and add a little headroom. If you are packing loose goods in a bag, measure the filled bag, not the empty one.

Our guide to measuring for a box covers the same steps for square boxes, and the principle is the same for tubes.

Which tube shape fits my product?

The ratio of height to width changes how a tube looks and how it is used. Here is how the three main shapes compare.

How can a kraft tube be printed?

We print one colour, two colour or full colour CMYK around the full wrap. On brown kraft, darker inks show best. Black, deep green and navy are common choices.

For bright colours or pale pastels, a white paper wrap gives a cleaner base. The pink tubes in our photos are white paper printed edge to edge. Foil stamping and embossing work well on the lid top, where a logo is seen first.

We can also print the inside surface, so a short message or pattern appears when the lid comes off. Our designers prepare the wrap artwork free, and you see a digital proof before printing.

Mistakes to avoid with paper tubes

Sizing to the product body and forgetting the lid or label is the classic slip. A jar that fits by its glass can still jam by its lid. Measure the widest point every time.

Next, overfilling. If loose goods are packed to the brim, the lid pushes them down and may not close fully. Lastly, tubes do not like damp. Store them indoors and away from kettles and sinks until they are filled.

One more: choosing a tube that is too tall for the product. Goods then rattle and shift. A card disc or a twist of tissue in the gap helps, but a correctly sized tube is neater.

Can I post a kraft tube?

Yes, but round shapes roll and can be crushed at the ends in a sack. For posting, place the tube inside a small outer carton with a little padding around it.

A snug outer such as one of our small mailing boxes for parcels keeps the tube upright and clean. The printed tube then arrives looking as good as it did on the bench.

Should I print the tube or use a label?

Both work, and the right answer depends on your range. A printed wrap looks finished all the way round. It suits a hero product that sells in steady numbers.

A plain kraft tube with a printed label suits makers with many flavours or scents. You order one tube for the whole range and change only the label. Many tea and candle sellers start this way, then move to printed wraps for their best sellers.

A middle route is a one colour logo printed on every tube, with a small label for the flavour. That keeps the brand on every tube while staying flexible.

How do I order kraft paper tubes?

Tubes are priced from £0.25 per unit, and your written quote sets the final price. Tell us the inside diameter, height, wrap colour, print and quantity. Ask for a price through our tube and box quote form, email info@ordercardboardboxes.co.uk, or message us on WhatsApp.

You receive a free digital proof before production. Tubes are made in 4 to 6 business days from your approval. Your tracked parcel then reaches you in 2 to 3 business days, with no delivery charge to any UK address. Damage or misprints reported with photos within 10 days are reprinted or refunded.