Custom Window Boxes that Show the Product Inside

What are window boxes?

A window box is any carton with part of a panel removed so you can see inside. The cut is made by the same die that shapes the box, so the edges are clean and match every time.

The style around the window can vary. We make them as tuck end cartons, trays with hinged lids, and lift-off lid boxes, as the photos show.

Some windows are left open. Others have clear film fixed behind them to keep dust and fingers off the product.

The idea is simple. A customer who can see the actual item has fewer questions and is less likely to open the box on the shop floor to check.

Window boxes are also a practical choice for staff. A quick glance confirms the right flavour or colour went into the right box, which cuts down on packing errors at busy times.

For ranges with several variants, keep one box design and change a small printed label. The window does the rest of the identifying work.

Where should the window go?

Think about how the box will sit on the shelf. If it lies flat in a chiller or on a counter, a window in the lid works best.

If it stands upright on a shelf, put the window in the front panel. A corner window that wraps across two panels shows more of the product, though it weakens that corner slightly.

Keep at least 15 mm of board around the window edge. That border holds the box square and leaves room for a logo.

Should the window be open or covered with film?

An open window is simple and fine for wrapped goods. Soaps already in paper, boxed toys and sealed sweets do not need extra cover.

Clear film helps when the product is unwrapped. It keeps the item clean in a busy shop and stops small parts falling out.

Tell us which you need when you ask for a price, as the film adds a step in production. If you want to send boxes by post, pack them inside a plain corrugated shipping box made to size.

What size window box do I need?

Start with the product in its final wrapping and measure length, width and height. Add a few millimetres so it slides in without catching on the window edge.

Then decide how big the window should be. A window that covers about half of the panel shows the product clearly and keeps the box stiff.

Our guide to common cardboard box sizes in the UK is a handy starting point. We take measurements in mm, cm or inches.

Which board should I choose?

White folding board is the usual pick for bakery and gift window boxes. It prints crisply and gives a clean frame around the window.

Kraft folding board suits soaps, natural products and farm shop goods. The brown surface pairs well with a simple one colour logo.

For heavier items, such as jars or larger gift sets, E flute corrugated at about 1.5 mm adds strength. B flute is an option for big display boxes, though it makes the window edge look thicker.

Not sure which to pick? Tell us the product and its weight. We will suggest one board on the quote and explain why, so you can compare before you commit.

Printing around the window

The window is the hero, so keep the print around it calm. A logo above or below the opening and a short product name usually do the job.

We print plain, one colour, two colour or full colour CMYK, on the outside and the inside. Inside print can be seen through the window, so a pattern there can frame the product.

Matte lamination softens the look, gloss adds shine, and foil or spot UV picks out a logo. Uncoated kraft keeps a handmade feel.

Packing products into window boxes

Load the product so its best side faces the window. A small card tray or a sheet of tissue behind it can lift it closer to the opening.

For cakes and bakes, put the item on a board first and slide it in. Close the lid without pressing on the window area, especially if film is fitted.

Stack filled boxes no more than a few high so the window panels do not bow.

If staff pack in a hurry, tape a sample box with the product placed correctly near the bench. It gives everyone the same picture of how the finished box should look.

Can a window box work for seasonal ranges?

Yes, and it saves money. Many shops order one plain or lightly printed window box and change only a sticker or ribbon for each occasion.

The same box can hold Easter biscuits in spring, wedding favours in summer and Halloween treats in autumn. The product in the window does the seasonal talking.

If you prefer fully printed runs for each season, keep the window size and position the same. That way your packing routine never changes, only the artwork does.