Hover to zoomCustom Flat Cardboard Boxes for Wide, Thin Items
From $0.30 a box Exact price in your emailed quote
These low, wide boxes are made to the inside length, width and height you give us. Pick a slotted carton, a mailer tray or a wrap style, then review the free proof before we print.
Quick answer
What are flat cardboard boxes?
Flat cardboard boxes are shallow boxes with a height far smaller than their length and width. They suit thin goods such as posters, folded apparel, framed art and documents. Styles include slotted cartons, tuck front mailers and wrap folders.
Key facts
- Low height, wide base
- Slotted, mailer or wrap styles
- Single or double wall board
- Great for prints and apparel
- From $0.30 a box
- Free design proof
Flat Cardboard Boxes specifications
18 rows| Style | Shallow slotted carton, mailer tray or wrap folder |
|---|---|
| Height range | Often 1 in to about 4 in |
| Typical board | E flute or B flute; BC double wall for big panels |
| Closure | Taped flaps, tuck front or a fold-over wrap |
| Rigidity | Side walls and corner folds keep the base from bowing |
| Plain kraft, or printed outside and inside | |
| Shipping state | Flat packed in bundles |
| Setup | Fold the walls up, load the item, close the lid |
| Board options | E, B or C flute single wall; BC flute double wall; kraft or white paperboard |
| Printing | Unprinted, one color, two color or full color CMYK, outside and inside |
|---|---|
| Finishes | Natural kraft left uncoated, matte or gloss laminate, spot UV, foil stamping or embossing |
| Sizes | Built to your inside length × width × height in inches (mm also fine) |
| Artwork files | Vector PDF, AI, EPS or SVG work best; sharp PNG or JPG also accepted |
| Design help | Our designers set up the layout for free |
| Proof | Free design proof to approve before printing starts |
| Production | 4–6 business days once you approve the proof |
| Shipping | Free and tracked to any US address, 2–3 business days in transit |
| Misprints | Send photos within 10 days for a reprint or a refund |
Common sizes
| Inside size (L × W × H) | Good for |
|---|---|
| 12 × 9 × 1 in | Letter-size papers, brochures, thin gift cards |
| 14 × 10 × 2 in | Folded tees, scarves, journals |
| 18 × 12 × 3 in | Sweaters, linen sets, small frames |
| 24 × 18 × 3 in | Posters, mirrors, larger frames |
| 30 × 20 × 4 in | Canvas prints, wall panels, board games |
What are flat cardboard boxes?
A flat box is a shallow box. The height is small next to the length and width, so it sits like a tray on a counter or shelf.
Every box we make ships folded, so the word flat here describes the finished shape. Think low, wide and thin. That shape fits goods that should lie down instead of standing on edge.
Why pick a shallow box instead of a deep one?
A box that matches the real thickness of your item holds it still. A poster in a tall carton can slide, lift and crease. In a snug shallow box it stays put with little filler.
Shallow boxes also use less board and less void fill. Smaller package dimensions can lower what you pay a carrier, as our guide to cutting your shipping costs explains.
What can I pack in a flat box?
Anything wide and thin works. Apparel shops use them so shirts arrive folded. Artists ship prints and frames. Offices send certificates and reports without a single crease.
Sets work well too. A shallow tray shows every piece the moment the lid opens.
- Folded shirts, sweaters and scarves
- Posters laid flat and framed art
- Mirrors, tiles and wall panels
- Calendars, planners and letter-size paperwork
- Puzzles, board games and flat gift sets
Which flat box style fits my product?
Three shapes cover most shallow jobs. Choose by how the item loads and how much protection the trip needs. For retail looks, see our custom mailer box styles.
| Style | How it closes | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Shallow slotted carton | Four top flaps sealed with tape | Bulk orders and larger flat goods |
| Mailer tray | Hinged lid with a tuck front | Apparel, gifts and subscription orders |
| Wrap folder | Folds around the item and seals | Books, prints and documents |
How do I measure for a flat box?
Length and width are quick. Height causes the trouble, because thin goods often sit inside a sleeve or bag. Our step by step box measuring guide covers inside sizes.
- Place the item on a table in its final wrapping.
- Measure length and width at the widest points.
- Measure height at the thickest spot, such as a frame corner.
- Add about 1/4 in on each side for easy loading.
- Send the inside size in inches (mm also accepted).
Which board keeps a wide box from bowing?
Big panels with short walls tend to sag. Board choice fixes most of that.
E flute, about 1/16 in (1.5 mm), is fine for small boxes holding paper or light apparel. B flute, about 1/8 in (3 mm), suits mid-size boxes. For large frames, mirrors or canvas, BC double wall at about 1/4 in (7 mm) stays stiff. Our single wall and double wall comparison adds detail.
Can I print on a flat box?
Yes. The wide top panel is a great place for a logo or pattern. On a mailer tray you can also print inside the lid, so buyers see a message when they open it.
Choose one color, two color or full color CMYK. Matte or gloss lamination, spot UV, foil stamping and embossing are available. Place your artwork in Design Your Box, and leave a clear patch for the shipping label.
What is the safest way to load a flat box?
Thin goods get damaged at corners and edges. A few habits prevent most problems. Our edge protectors for frames and panels help with fragile corners.
- Cover frame and mirror corners with card guards.
- Lay a sheet of card over prints to avoid pressure marks.
- Fill spare height so nothing can lift and drop.
- Label the box so it travels flat, never on its side.
- Tape every seam on slotted cartons.
What mistakes should I avoid with flat boxes?
The top error is measuring a bare item. A bag or wrap adds thickness, and a lid that will not close wastes the order. Measure with everything in place.
Another is using light board on a wide box. A large E flute panel can flex in transit, so read the corrugated board flute guide before you pick. Ordering a tall box for a thin item is the third slip, since it lets the contents slide.
How do I order flat cardboard boxes?
Fill in the form at the top of this page or use the quote request page. Flat boxes start from $0.30 a box. We email the exact figure within one business day.
- Tell us the inside size and the style you want.
- Pick the board, plus any print or finish.
- Ask our designers for free layout help if needed.
- Approve the free design proof.
- We produce your boxes in 4 to 6 business days.
How do flat boxes ship to me?
Shallow boxes stack tightly, so big orders arrive as compact bundles. Shipping is free and tracked to any US address, with 2 to 3 business days in transit. See our shipping information page for more.
Build one box with your real item before you pack the rest. If you spot misprints, damage or defects, send photos within 10 days. We reprint or refund. Store bundles lying down so the wide panels stay straight.
Flat Cardboard Boxes: questions
12 answersWhat is a flat cardboard box?
It is a shallow box with a low height and a wide base. It suits thin goods like posters, apparel and frames.
Do flat boxes arrive already built?
No. They ship folded, and you raise the walls when you are ready to pack.
How shallow can a flat box be?
Many run from about 1 in to 4 in tall. We cut each one to the inside height you send.
Which board works for a large flat box?
Use B flute for mid sizes and BC double wall for big frames, mirrors or canvas. Thin board may flex over wide panels.
Can I ship clothing in a flat box?
Yes. A mailer tray keeps folded garments neat and looks good on arrival. E flute or B flute both work.
Are flat boxes good for art prints?
Yes. They keep prints from rolling or bending. A sheet of card on top adds protection.
Can a flat box close with a tuck front?
Yes. A mailer tray closes with a tuck front, so it needs little or no tape.
Can you print the top panel?
Yes. The wide lid suits a logo or full color artwork. Inside print is offered on mailer styles.
How do I protect frame corners?
Use card corner guards or edge protectors. Then fill extra height so the frame cannot shift.
How much do flat cardboard boxes cost?
Pricing starts from $0.30 a box. The exact figure for your size, board and print comes in your emailed quote.
How soon will my custom flat boxes be ready and delivered?
Once you approve the proof, your flat boxes are made in 4 to 6 business days. Free tracked US shipping then adds 2 to 3 business days.
What if boxes arrive bent or damaged?
Send photos of the problem within 10 days. We reprint the boxes or refund the order.
Still have a question? Phone (503) 461-4788, send our team a WhatsApp message or write to info@ordercardboardboxes.com.
Design Your Box
Pick a box photo, drop your logo onto it, choose the print and send it over. Our designers return a free proof ready for printing.
1Choose a box
2Place your logo
Add your logo to preview it on this box
Selected: Flat Cardboard Boxes
Tell us about your boxes
Share the inside size, the board you want and how it should be printed. Our team emails a quote and a free design proof within one business day.
- Free design proof before any box is printed
- Made in 4–6 business days after you approve the proof
- Free tracked shipping to any US address
Rather talk it through? Phone (503) 461-4788 or chat with us on WhatsApp.