Hover to zoomCustom Plain Cardboard Boxes in Kraft or White Board
From £0.25 per unit Price confirmed on your written quote
Plain boxes are unprinted kraft or white board, made to the inside size you give us. Pick the style and wall, and we send a free digital proof before production starts.
Quick answer
What are plain cardboard boxes?
Plain cardboard boxes are made-to-size boxes with no printed artwork, usually in natural brown kraft. They come as slotted shipping cartons, folding mailers or trays with lids. You choose the size, style and board, and can add a one colour print later if you need it.
Key facts
- Unprinted kraft or white board
- Slotted, mailer or tray styles
- Single or double wall options
- Inside print can be added later
- From £0.25 per unit
- Free digital proof
Plain Cardboard Boxes specifications
18 rows| Style | Slotted carton, roll end mailer or tray with lid |
|---|---|
| Typical board | Single wall B or C flute kraft |
| Heavier contents | Double wall BC flute, about 7 mm |
| Surface | Uncoated brown kraft or white lined board |
| None as standard; one colour or inside print on request | |
| Closure | Tape on slotted cartons, tuck flaps on mailers |
| How it ships | Flat, in bundles, ready to fold |
| Assembly | Fold and tape, or fold and tuck with no tape |
| Board options | Single wall B, C or E flute; double wall BC flute; kraft or white folding board |
| Printing | Plain, one or two colour, or full colour CMYK; inside and outside print available |
|---|---|
| Finishes | Uncoated kraft, matte or gloss lamination, spot UV, foil stamping, embossing |
| Sizes | Made to your inside length, width and height in mm, cm or inches |
| Artwork files | PDF, AI, EPS or SVG preferred; high-resolution PNG or JPG accepted |
| Design help | Free layout help from our design team |
| Proof | Free digital proof before anything is printed |
| Production | 4–6 business days after proof approval |
| Delivery | Tracked, 2–3 business days; free across the UK |
| Misprints | Reported within 10 days with photos: reprinted or refunded |
Common sizes
| Inside size (L × W × H) | Good for |
|---|---|
| 229 × 152 × 102 mm | Small parts, candles, jars |
| 305 × 229 × 102 mm | Clothing, books, gift sets |
| 381 × 305 × 254 mm | Shoe boxes, kitchenware, bulk refills |
| 457 × 305 × 305 mm | Bedding, larger homeware |
| 610 × 457 × 457 mm | Light, bulky items and storage |
What are plain cardboard boxes?
A plain cardboard box is a box with no printed design on it. Most are natural brown kraft, which is the colour the board comes off the corrugator. Some customers want white lined board instead, which gives a cleaner look without any ink.
Plain does not mean off the shelf. Every box here is cut to the inside length, width and height you give us. That gets rid of the empty space you find in generic boxes, so you use less void fill and less tape.
The photos on this page show the shapes we make most often. That includes folding mailers with a tuck front and simple slotted cartons that close with tape. Both arrive flat and fold up in seconds.
Who orders plain boxes instead of printed ones?
Plain boxes suit anyone who needs a well fitted box but does not need a printed outside. Online sellers use them for repeat orders where the product does the talking. Workshops use them to move parts between sites.
They also suit businesses that sell through several brands or marketplaces. One plain box can carry any of those labels without changing the packaging. If you later want a branded version, our custom printed boxes made to order use the same sizes and styles.
- Marketplace sellers shipping mixed stock under one box
- Makers and crafters who add their own stamp or sticker
- Trade suppliers sending samples and spare parts
- Offices and schools packing files and equipment
- Anyone moving home or storing items long term
Which plain box style should I pick?
Style matters more than colour on a plain box. It decides how the box opens, how much tape you need and how it looks when the customer receives it. Here is how the main options compare.
| Style | How it closes | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Regular slotted carton | Four flaps top and bottom, taped | Shipping, bulk packing, storage |
| Roll end tuck front mailer | Lid folds over and tucks in | Online orders and subscription parcels |
| Half slotted carton | Open top, flaps on the base only | Trays and cartons used with a separate lid |
| Tray with lid | Lid drops over a base | Shoes, gifts and stationery |
How do I measure for a plain box?
Always measure the item you are packing, not an old box. The size you send us is the inside size. We add the board thickness on the outside, so the item still fits once the box is folded. Our guide on how to measure a box properly covers this step by step.
- Measure the longest side of the item as the length.
- Measure the shorter side across the top as the width.
- Measure from the base to the highest point as the height.
- Add a few millimetres on each side for wrap or padding.
- Send the three figures to us in mm, cm or inches.
Which board should I choose for an unprinted box?
Because there is no print to show off, board choice is mostly about protection and weight. Thinner board keeps postage down. Thicker board copes better with stacking and long journeys. If you are unsure, read our page on single wall versus double wall board before you decide.
- E flute, about 1.5 mm: neat folding mailers for light items
- B flute, about 3 mm: a solid all-rounder for most parcels
- C flute, about 4 mm: more cushioning for bulkier goods
- BC double wall, about 7 mm: heavier loads and stacking
- Kraft or white folding board: small retail cartons and trays
Can a plain box still carry my brand?
Yes, and many customers start this way. A plain outside with a printed message inside keeps costs low and still gives the customer something to notice. You can also add a one colour logo on one panel, which needs only one plate.
Some customers keep the box fully plain and brand it with tape, stickers or a stamp. That works well if you are still testing a product or changing your artwork. It also lets one batch of boxes serve several product lines at once, which keeps your packing bench simple. When the design settles, moving to a printed box is a quick switch because the size is already set.
How should I pack goods in a plain cardboard box?
A box that fits well needs very little help. Good packing still makes a difference, especially for glass, liquids or items with sharp corners. A few habits save a lot of damaged parcels.
- Put the heaviest item at the bottom and lighter items on top.
- Fill gaps so nothing slides when you shake the box.
- On slotted cartons, run tape along the middle seam and over both short edges.
- Keep liquids upright and sealed inside their own bag.
- Write handling notes on the label, not across the flaps.
What mistakes do people make with plain boxes?
The most common mistake is sending outside sizes. A box made to an outside size ends up a few millimetres too small inside, which matters for snug items. Always give us the inside measurement.
The second is choosing double wall for everything. It is strong, but it adds weight and bulk to every parcel. Many light items travel safely in single wall, and our guide to corrugated flute sizes explains where each one fits.
The third is ordering one size for every product. Two or three well chosen sizes usually cut void fill and postage more than a single large box ever could.
How do I order plain cardboard boxes?
Ordering takes a few minutes. You can use the form at the top of this page or send details through our trade quote request form. Plain boxes start from £0.25 per unit, and your written quote sets the final figure.
- Tell us the inside size, the style and the board you want.
- Say whether you want the box fully plain or with any print.
- We send a written quote and a free digital proof.
- Approve the proof and production takes 4 to 6 business days.
- Your boxes arrive flat by tracked delivery in 2 to 3 business days.
What happens once the boxes arrive?
Boxes arrive flat and bundled, so they take up little room until you need them. Keep them somewhere dry and away from direct heat, as damp board loses stiffness. Fold one up first and check it against your product. Try the real item inside, with its wrapping, before you pack the whole batch. Small surprises are far easier to fix at this stage.
If anything is wrong, such as damage in transit or a box made to the wrong size, tell us within 10 days with photos. We will reprint or refund. Plain box orders travel free to any UK address.
Plain Cardboard Boxes: questions
12 answersAre plain cardboard boxes always brown?
No. Brown kraft is the most common, but we also make plain boxes in white lined board. Both are unprinted unless you ask for print.
Can I order plain boxes in my exact size?
Yes. Every plain box is made to the inside length, width and height you give us, in mm, cm or inches.
Do plain boxes need tape?
Slotted cartons close with tape across the flaps. Roll end mailers fold and tuck shut, so they need little or no tape.
Is single wall strong enough for plain shipping boxes?
For most light and medium parcels, yes. Choose double wall BC flute if the box will carry heavy goods or be stacked.
Can I add a logo to a plain box later?
Yes. Once your size is set, a later order can add print to the same box. Choose one colour, two colour or full colour.
Can I have print inside but a plain outside?
Yes. Inside print with a plain kraft outside is a popular choice. It keeps the parcel discreet and still shows a message on opening.
Do you send a proof for an unprinted box?
Yes. You get a free digital proof showing the size and layout, so you can check the dimensions before production.
How long do plain boxes take to make?
We make plain boxes in 4 to 6 business days once the proof is signed off. They then reach you on a tracked service within 2 to 3 business days.
What does a plain cardboard box cost?
Prices start from £0.25 per unit. The exact figure depends on size, board and quantity, and is confirmed on a written quote.
Do plain boxes arrive assembled?
No. They arrive flat in bundles, which saves space. Each one folds into shape by hand in a few seconds.
Can I use plain boxes for storage as well as shipping?
Yes. A slotted carton in C flute or double wall board works well for storage, especially if the boxes will be stacked.
What if my plain boxes arrive damaged?
Send photos of the problem within 10 days of delivery. We then reprint the plain boxes or give you a refund.
Not covered here? Message the trade desk on WhatsApp or email info@ordercardboardboxes.co.uk.
Design Your Box
Choose a box from the photos, place your logo on it, pick the print and send it. We turn it into a free print-ready proof.
1Choose a box
2Place your logo
Upload a logo to see it on the box
Selected: Plain Cardboard Boxes
Send us the full brief
Give us the size, the board and the print. A packaging specialist replies within one business day with a written price and a free digital proof.
- Free digital proof before anything is printed
- Production 4–6 business days after proof approval
- Free tracked delivery across the UK