Overview & Specifications
What Is a Custom Drawer Box?
A custom drawer box is a rigid packaging box made of two parts: a fixed outer sleeve and an inner tray that slides out of it, the same way a matchbox opens. Both parts are built from rigid greyboard wrapped in printed or specialty paper. Unlike a Two Piece, Hinged or Flip Top rigid box, the product is reached by sliding the tray through the sleeve rather than lifting a lid, so the act of opening becomes part of the presentation.
How the Sliding Drawer Works
The format depends on two rigid parts that fit each other closely.
01
Rigid Outer Sleeve
An open-ended tube of wrapped greyboard that encloses the tray and carries the main exterior branding.

02
Sliding Inner Tray
An open-topped rigid tray that holds the product and slides out of the sleeve, usually pulled by a ribbon, notch or finger cut-out.

03
Controlled Clearance
The gap between the finished tray and sleeve controls how the drawer moves. Too little clearance causes friction or binding; too much makes the tray feel loose or misaligned. Clearance is developed around board thickness, wrap paper, lamination, dimensions and the opening feel required, then confirmed on a sample.

Anatomy of a Custom Drawer Box
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01
Outer Sleeve
Main exterior surface for brand identity; open at one or both ends.

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02
Inner Tray
Holds the product and inserts; can carry a contrasting wrap or color.

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03
Pull Feature
Ribbon, thumb notch or die-cut finger access for opening the drawer.

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04
Insert
Optional fitted insert or compartments that hold items in place.

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05
Wrap Paper
Printed art paper, kraft or specialty paper wrapped over the greyboard.

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06
Tray Stop or Retention
Optional, project-specific feature that limits how far the tray travels.

Wrap paper folds over board edges and into corners, so artwork needs turn-in allowance; keep key copy away from sleeve edges and the tray's pull area.
Application guide
When Is a Custom Drawer Box the Right Choice?
A custom drawer box works well when the opening itself should feel deliberate and the product benefits from an organized tray, such as jewelry, watches, cosmetic sets, small electronics and confectionery assortments.
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01
Sliding
Sliding Reveal
The pull-out motion creates a different opening experience from lift-off, hinged and flip top rigid boxes, with the tray itself becoming part of the reveal. -
02
Insert-Friendly
Insert-Friendly Tray
The inner tray gives a stable platform for fitted inserts, compartments and arranged sets, so items stay organized as the drawer opens. -
03
Two-Layer
Two-Layer Branding
The sleeve carries the primary exterior identity, while the tray can introduce a second color, message or finish as it slides out. -
04
Alternative
When Another Format May Fit Better
If the full contents need to be accessible at once, a Two Piece Rigid Box with a lift-off lid may suit better, and a Shoulder Neck Rigid Box adds a raised collar to that lift-off reveal. For an attached lid, choose a Flip Top Rigid Box for inside-lid messaging or a Hinged Rigid Box for compact case-style opening. Where flat shipping and storage matter most, a Collapsible Rigid Box folds flat before assembly.
Custom Drawer Box Specifications
Custom drawer boxes are specified around sleeve-to-tray clearance, board thickness, pull features, wraps and interior fit.
| Specification | Available Configuration |
|---|---|
| Product Type | Rigid sleeve-and-tray drawer box |
| Category | Rigid Boxes |
| Dimensions | Custom L × W × H, built around the product, tray clearance and insert |
| Core Construction | Rigid outer sleeve + rigid inner tray |
| Base Board | Greyboard, or white-coated duplex board for a cleaner white face |
| Board Thickness | 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm or 3.0 mm |
| Wrap Paper | Art, custom printed, kraft, metallic, holographic, pearlescent or textured paper, or fabric/velvet wrap; paper commonly around 120–157 gsm |
| Pull Options | Ribbon pull, thumb notch or die-cut finger access |
| Interior | Fitted inserts, compartments, satin or other compatible linings, printed or wrapped tray surfaces |
| Print Coverage | Exterior only, exterior + interior, or full inside and outside |
| Print Methods | Offset, digital, UV or screen printing; CMYK and Pantone spot colors |
| Finishes | Matte, gloss or soft-touch lamination, foil stamping, emboss/deboss, Spot UV and raised 3D UV |
| Sleeve-to-Tray Fit | Developed around board, wrap and finish build-up; critical fits are commonly tuned to around ±0.5 mm and confirmed on sample |
| Starting Price | From $2.85 / unit; final price depends on size, board, wrap, inserts, finishes and quantity |
| Minimum Order | 500 units |
| Standard Production | 7 days from approved proof |
| Rush Production | Available on request |
| Shipping | USA and worldwide |
How Drawer Boxes Compare to Other Rigid Box Structures
Rigid box structures differ most in how the box opens and what stays attached.
| Attribute | Drawer Box | Two Piece Rigid Box | Hinged Rigid Box | Flip Top Rigid Box |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opening | Tray slides out of a sleeve | Separate lid lifts off | Lid pivots on a defined hinge mechanism | Attached lid lifts on a paper-wrapped spine |
| Parts | Sleeve + tray | Lid + base | One-piece with attached lid | One-piece with attached lid |
| Access to contents | Gradual, as the tray slides | Full, once the lid is off | Front and top, lid stays attached | Broad inside-lid reveal |
| Typical closure | Friction fit; optional pull | Lid friction fit | Hinge; magnets where specified | Front flap; magnets where specified |
| Branding surfaces | Sleeve exterior + tray | Lid and base | Exterior + inside lid | Exterior + broad inside lid |
| Best fit | Staged reveal, organized trays | Full-access gift and retail boxes | Compact attached-lid presentation | Front-opening presentation with inside-lid messaging |
What Size Custom Drawer Box Do You Need?
Size a drawer box from the product's interior dimensions outward: add clearance around the product, then the wall, wrap and sleeve on top. Rigid boxes are quoted by interior size, and the outside ends up several millimeters larger on every axis.
How Interior and Exterior Sizes Relate
The figures below are planning references, not fixed manufacturing rules. Final allowances depend on product shape, insert, board, wrap paper, finish and the drawer movement required.
| Step | Typical Allowance |
|---|---|
| Product to tray interior (no insert) | Add about 2–3 mm to length and width, 2–5 mm to height |
| Product in an insert | Add insert thickness on each side plus 1–2 mm |
| Tray interior to tray exterior, 1.5 mm board | About +4–5 mm per dimension |
| Tray interior to tray exterior, 2.0 mm board | About +5–6 mm per dimension |
| Tray exterior to sleeve | A small sliding clearance, tuned on sample |
Typical Board Selection Starting Points
| Box Size (longest side) | Typical Board |
|---|---|
| Up to about 150 mm (6 in) | About 1.5–2.0 mm |
| About 150–250 mm (6–10 in) | About 2.5 mm |
| Over about 250 mm (10 in), or contents over about 1 kg | About 3.0 mm |
Reference interior sizes: a ring box around 50 × 50 × 40 mm (2.0 × 2.0 × 1.6 in) and a watch box around 110 × 110 × 80 mm (4.3 × 4.3 × 3.1 in).
Important: These allowances are reference values, not fixed rules. Board, wrap paper, finishes, inserts and humidity all affect the final fit, and rigid boxes typically carry about ±1–2 mm overall tolerance. Drawer fit is confirmed on a sample before production.
If you are unsure, share the product dimensions and weight with the quote request, and the box is sized around them.
Why Does Drawer Fit Need a Sample?
Rigid board, wrap paper and laminations all add thickness, and paper moves slightly with humidity. A tray that slides well with one wrap can bind with a heavier wrap or soft-touch film, so the final sleeve-to-tray clearance is confirmed on a physical sample rather than calculated alone.










