Customization Guide · MC Packaging
Everything You Need to Know to
Make the Right Choice.
Most buyers aren't packaging experts -- and they shouldn't have to be. This guide walks you through every option clearly, so you can make confident decisions without second-guessing.
Browse the guide ↓B
Brian Li
Sales&Engineering Director
15 years in custom gift packaging
15 years in custom gift packaging
I wrote this guide because 90% of the questions I get are the same -- "which finish should I choose?" or "do I need an insert?" The answer is always: it depends on your product. Let me help you figure that out.
15yr
Industry Experience
60+
Countries Served
500pc
Minimum Order
Free
3D Mockup
01 · Box Material
Choose Your Base Material
The structural board and wrapping paper together determine how your box feels in someone's hands. This is the foundation -- everything else builds on top of it.
Explore Full Material Options LibraryStandard Rigid Greyboard 2mm
Dense greyboard wrapped in art paper. The workhorse of custom gift packaging -- reliable, printable, and cost-effective.
🎯 Best for: Magnetic boxes, lid & base, drawer boxes -- the default choice for most B2B gift packaging projects.
Rigid Board + Art Paper Wrapping
Greyboard with 128-157gsm coated art paper. Smooth surface for full-colour printing, spot UV, or foil stamping.
🎯 Best for: Any project with a full-colour brand design, product imagery, or patterned exterior.
📎 Used in: Advent Calendar UK Project →
Rigid Board + Specialty Paper
Linen, velvet, leather-grain, or flocked paper over rigid core. Immediately communicates luxury through texture alone.
🎯 Best for: Jewellery, high-end cosmetics, fashion accessories -- any product where the box itself is part of the perceived value.
Kraft Paper / Natural Look
Unbleached kraft over board, or kraft-only foldable construction. Natural brown tone -- honest, minimal, and earthy.
🎯 Best for: Organic, artisan, or food brands where the "no-nonsense" aesthetic is part of the brand identity.
Recycled / FSC-Certified Material
Board and paper from FSC-certified forests or post-consumer recycled content. Meets EU and UK sustainability procurement requirements.
🎯 Best for: Brands with sustainability commitments, retail chains with green procurement, EU/UK regulatory requirements.
| Material | Rigidity | Print Quality | Cost | FSC Option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Rigid Greyboard | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $ | ✓ |
| Rigid Board + Art Paper | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | ✓ |
| Rigid Board + Specialty Paper | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | $$$ | ✓ |
| Kraft Paper | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | $ | ✓ |
| Recycled / FSC Material | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | $$ | ✓ |
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Brian's Expert Take -- Box Materials
🏆70% of our clients start with Standard Rigid Greyboard -- it works across almost every product type and budget. If you're not sure, start here.
💎Selling above £80-100 retail? Specialty paper alone increases perceived brand value without significantly raising packaging cost.
🌿More UK and EU retail buyers now require FSC certification. If targeting large retailers, ask us for certificates upfront.
02 · Printing
Printing Options
We use offset lithography (CMYK) or Pantone spot colour matching for precise brand colour reproduction. The decision is really: do you need the inside printed too?
Explore Full Printing Methods Library →No Printing
Plain or single-colour surface. Works when the material texture does the talking.
🎯 Best for: Kraft or specialty paper wraps where texture is the design.
Print Outside Only
Full-colour exterior printing. Brand logo, product imagery, patterns -- everything a buyer sees before opening.
🎯 Best for: Most retail and gifting projects. The standard starting point for any branded box.
Print Inside Only
Interior brand story or pattern -- creates an unexpected premium moment when the lid opens.
🎯 Best for: DTC brands, subscription boxes, gifts where the unboxing IS the experience.
Print Outside + Inside
Full brand experience -- exterior design draws attention, interior print creates the wow moment.
🎯 Best for: Luxury gift sets, Advent Calendars, product launches where first impressions drive repurchase.
📎 Used in: Advent Calendar UK →
Colour Matching:
CMYK for general printing; Pantone for exact brand colour accuracy. If your brand has official Pantone codes, share them when you enquire -- we'll match them precisely.
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Brian's Expert Take -- Printing Methods
🎯Inside printing has the highest impact-to-cost ratio of any upgrade. Customers share unboxing videos. That's earned marketing you can't buy.
💡Most retail and gifting projects start with Print Outside Only -- it's the reliable default. Add inside printing when the unboxing experience matters.
03 · Surface Finish
Surface Finish & Coating
This is where most brands make their biggest visual impression -- and where a lot of buyers feel uncertain. The right finish doesn't just look better; it feels better.
Explore Full Surface Finish LibraryNo Finish -- Raw Surface
Material left uncoated. Minimal and honest -- intentionally un-polished.
🎯 Best for: Kraft boxes, specialty texture papers, brands where rawness is part of the aesthetic.
Gloss Aqueous Coating
Water-based gloss for vibrant colour saturation. Makes print colours pop -- the retail-shelf favourite.
🎯 Best for: Retail-facing boxes where colour impact drives purchase at first glance.
Matte Aqueous Coating
Non-reflective flat finish. Modern, sophisticated -- the contemporary brand standard.
🎯 Best for: Beauty, fashion, tech brands where a clean, editorial aesthetic is the goal.
Gloss UV Coating
UV-cured high-gloss -- more intense shine, greater durability. Used as spot UV over matte for dramatic logo contrast.
🎯 Best for: Spot UV logo on a matte base -- one of the most impactful finishes at moderate extra cost.
Soft Touch Coating
A micro-texture coating that makes the surface feel like velvet. The moment someone holds a soft-touch box, they know it's premium.
🎯 Best for: Jewellery, luxury cosmetics, high-end gifting -- whenever the tactile experience matters as much as the visual.
Matte Lamination
Flat film laminate -- kills glare, adds depth. The ideal base layer if you're adding foil stamping or spot UV on top.
🎯 Best for: Premium gifting -- especially when combined with gold foil stamping for a classic luxury finish.
Gloss Lamination
High-gloss protective film -- scratch-resistant, colour-deep, durable for transit and handling.
🎯 Best for: E-commerce shipping boxes or any packaging that needs to survive rough handling while looking great.
💡 Classic Combination: Matte Lamination + Spot UV (on logo) + Gold Foil Stamping (on brand name) -- this is the combination used by more of our clients than any other. Scroll down to see it in the Combination Guide.
Not sure which finish or structure is right for your brand?
Every packaging project is different. Contact Brian directly for expert, one-on-one guidance -- from material selection to structural recommendations -- tailored to your product and budget.
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Brian's Expert Take -- Surface Finishes
✋Soft touch is the single most-commented-on finish by end customers. If you're selling above £60 retail, this finish alone often justifies the slight cost increase.
🥇The classic combination used by more clients than any other: Matte Lamination + Spot UV (on logo) + Gold Foil (on brand name). See the Combination Guide below.
04 · Special Processes
Special Decorative Processes
These processes elevate specific design elements -- logos, brand names, borders -- from printed flat to something you can see and feel. Think of them as precision accents, not surface-level decoration.
Explore Full Special Processes LibraryFoil Stamping
Metallic or holographic foil heat-pressed using a custom die. Gold, silver, rose gold, holographic, or custom colour.
🎯 Best for: Logos, brand names, borders -- wherever you want a metallic accent that catches the light
⏱ +3-5 days for die making (one-time, reused for reorders)
Embossing
A die presses the surface upward creating a raised tactile design. Letters, logos, patterns you can feel with your fingertip.
🎯 Best for: Logo panels, monogram initials, brand marks on specialty paper
⏱ +3-5 days for die making (one-time)
Debossing
The inverse of embossing -- a recessed impression pressed into the surface. Subtle, tone-on-tone luxury.
🎯 Best for: Minimal, understated luxury brand identity -- especially on soft touch or specialty paper
Window Patching
A die-cut opening with a clear PET or frosted film -- product visible without opening the box.
🎯 Best for: Food, candles, cosmetics -- letting the product sell itself through the packaging
Ribbon Pull
A satin or grosgrain ribbon inside the box for elegant product removal -- small detail, major unboxing impact.
🎯 Best for: Jewellery, watches, cosmetics, gift sets -- whenever lifting the product out is part of the moment
📎 Used in: Advent Calendar UK →
Magnetic Closure
Hidden neodymium magnets create a satisfying snap -- the most popular premium structural feature across all box types.
🎯 Best for: Any rigid box -- magnetic closure is the single most recognisable signal of premium gift packaging
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Brian's Expert Take -- Packaging Accessories
🎀Tissue paper is the most underrated detail. It costs almost nothing but adds a sense of care and anticipation that customers consistently mention in reviews.
🎁Ribbon handles transform a box into a gift bag experience -- great for any occasion where the box needs to look ready-to-give the moment it arrives.
05 · Box Inserts
Insert Types
The insert is what your customer touches first when they open the box. It holds the product, protects it in transit, and sets the tone for everything that follows.
Explore Full Insert Types Library →EVA Foam -- High Density
Precision die-cut foam with custom cavities. Holds products firmly, looks clean and professional.
🎯 Best for: Electronics, watches, jewellery, gift sets with multiple components -- any product that needs a secure, shaped hold.
Foam + Velvet Wrap
EVA foam wrapped in velvet or satin fabric. The insert becomes part of the product display -- not just protection.
🎯 Best for: Fine jewellery, premium watches, luxury gifts. When your customer lifts the product, the velvet is the first thing they feel.
Molded Pulp / Eco Paper Insert
Pressed recycled paper pulp in custom shapes. Fully recyclable, biodegradable -- increasingly specified by EU/UK retail buyers.
🎯 Best for: Eco-conscious brands, food & beverage, any product targeting sustainable retail channels.
⏱ +5-7 days for custom mold tooling (first order only)
Printed Paper Card Tray
Folded paper tray with custom dividers. Printable in brand colours -- lightweight, cost-effective, surprisingly elegant.
🎯 Best for: Mid-range gift sets, Advent Calendar compartments, multi-SKU retail products where budget matters.
| Insert | Protection | Premium Feel | Eco | Cost | Lead Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EVA Foam | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | -- | $$ | Standard |
| Foam + Velvet | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | -- | $$$ | Standard |
| Molded Pulp | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✓ | $$ | +5-7d (first order) |
| Paper Card Tray | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ✓ | $ | Standard |
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Brian's Expert Take -- Box Inserts
😲Foam + velvet inserts are what make people say "oh wow" when they open the box. If you sell above £100 retail and aren't using velvet, you're leaving perceived value on the table.
🌍Molded pulp inserts are increasingly specified by EU/UK retail buyers. If sustainability is part of your brand story, lead with this.
06 · Accessories
Box Accessories
Small additions that complete the experience -- handles for carrying, closures for security, decoration that turns a box into a gift before it's even opened.
Explore Full Accessories LibraryRibbon Handle
Flat satin or grosgrain ribbon loop through the box. Available in any custom colour to match your brand.
🎯 Best for: Gift boxes and hampers -- transforms a box into something you can carry directly to someone without a bag.
Rope Handle
Twisted cotton, jute, or nylon rope handle. More tactile and casual -- ideal for artisan or natural brand aesthetics.
🎯 Best for: Food, natural beauty, kraft boxes -- brands where handcrafted or earthy character is part of the identity.
Magnetic Lock Clasp
Visible metal clasp -- decorative and functional. Gold, silver, or matte black finish available.
🎯 Best for: Jewellery boxes, gift sets, book-style or double-door boxes where the clasp is part of the unboxing ritual.
Bow Ribbon Decoration
Pre-tied or self-adhesive satin or organza bow. Custom colours available -- the classic gift signal.
🎯 Best for: Holiday gifting, Valentine's Day, wedding favours -- any occasion where the box needs to look ready-to-give the moment it arrives.
Decorative Kit Accessories
Wax seals, branded stickers, hang tags, tissue paper, shredded fill -- sourced and assembled as a complete branded kit.
🎯 Best for: Full gifting set experience -- when every layer of unboxing communicates the same brand story.
Every option in this guide can be mixed, matched, and combined into one coherent packaging spec. If you're still not sure what's right for your product -- that's exactly what Brian is here for. Share your brief and get a specific recommendation, not a generic quote.
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