Hover to zoomCustom Stationery Boxes for Notebooks, Pens and Gift Sets
From $0.30 a box Exact price in your emailed quote
Order printed boxes for anything from a single journal to a full desk bundle. Tell us your item sizes and we send a free design proof before anything is printed.
Quick answer
What are stationery boxes?
Stationery boxes are custom boxes sized around notebooks, pens, cards and other desk items. Most sellers pick a corrugated mailer, a two-piece lid box or a hinged flip-lid box. Each one can be printed inside and out.
Key facts
- Mailer, lid or flip-lid styles
- Print inside and outside
- Slotted inserts hold pens
- Matte, foil or embossed finish
- From $0.30 a box
- Free design proof
Stationery Boxes specifications
18 rows| Style | Mailer, two-piece lid and base, or hinged flip-lid box |
|---|---|
| Closure | Tuck-in front on mailers; lift-off or hinged lids on gift styles |
| Typical board | E flute for shipped sets; kraft or white paperboard for shelf display |
| Typical sizes | Built around pocket notebooks, 5.5 × 8.5 in journals and card packs |
| Inserts | Paperboard or corrugated inserts with slots for pens and pencils |
| Plain, one color, two color or full color CMYK, inside and outside | |
| Finishes | Embossing, foil stamping, spot UV, matte or gloss lamination, or plain uncoated kraft |
| Arrives | Flat, ready to fold or assemble as you pack |
| 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 |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Price | From $0.30 a box; exact price in your emailed quote |
Common sizes
| Inside size (L × W × H) | Good for |
|---|---|
| 6.5 × 4.5 × 1.25 in | A pocket notebook and one pen |
| 9 × 6.5 × 2 in | A 5.5 × 8.5 in journal, pens and a card |
| 9.5 × 7 × 3 in | A planner set or monthly subscription box |
| 7 × 5 × 1.5 in | Greeting cards with matching envelopes |
| 12 × 9 × 2.5 in | Letter-size paper sets and larger desk bundles |
What are stationery boxes?
They are custom boxes built around a set of desk items. The notebook usually sets the footprint, and the other items decide the depth.
Sellers use them for journals, pen sets, planner bundles, note card packs and monthly subscriptions. The box works as shipping packaging, gift packaging or both.
Print can run on the outside and the inside. With stationery, the moment the lid opens is a big part of what the customer pays for.
Which box style fits my stationery?
Start with how the set will travel. A box that ships to a customer needs more protection than one that sits on a store shelf.
If you want buyers to keep the box on a desk, a two-piece lid and base box is a strong choice. For web orders, a mailer is usually easier.
| Style | Best for | How it closes |
|---|---|---|
| Corrugated mailer | Online orders and subscriptions | Front tuck with side walls |
| Two-piece lid box | Gift sets and keepsakes | Lid lifts off the base |
| Flip-lid box | Premium pen and journal sets | Lid hinges open like a book |
| Tuck end carton | Single items on a shelf | Tuck flaps at each end |
Who buys custom stationery packaging?
Stationery sells on looks, so buyers care about the box as much as the contents. That draws a wide range of customers.
Etsy and Shopify sellers often start with a kraft box and one color of print. Many move to full color once a set sells well. See our guide for a small business box order if you are just starting out.
- Independent planner and journal brands
- Greeting card designers selling boxed sets
- Monthly stationery subscription clubs
- Fountain pen and gel pen sellers
- Offices building welcome kits for new hires
- Wedding stationers boxing invitation samples
What size stationery box do I need?
Lay everything out the way you want the customer to see it. The length and width come from the biggest item plus a strip for pens. The height comes from the tallest stack plus any insert.
Leave a little room on every side so items lift out easily. Too tight frustrates the customer. Too loose lets things slide around. Our guide to measuring a box shows which dimension is which.
- Arrange every item in its final position.
- Find the total length and width of your arrangement.
- Measure the height at the deepest point.
- Add about 1/8 in (3 mm) each way for an easy lift-out.
- Tell us about any insert, since its thickness takes up room.
- Send the inside size, quantity and a photo if you have one.
Which board works best for a stationery box?
For sets that ship, E flute is the usual pick. The wall is only about 1/16 in (1.5 mm), yet it cushions notebook corners and takes sharp print.
Retail shelf boxes can use kraft or white paperboard. White gives a clean base for fine detail, and kraft gives a natural, handmade look. Heavy sets with glass ink bottles may need B flute, which runs about 1/8 in (3 mm).
Selling the same set online and in stores? Keep the artwork the same and change only the board. Our corrugated board flute guide compares the options.
Can I add slots for pens and cards?
Yes. An insert with cut slots holds pens and pencils in a tidy row. It also keeps them from rubbing across a notebook cover.
Inserts can be printed or left plain. You can add folding carton inserts with slots to the same quote and proof.
How should a stationery box be printed?
Stationery buyers notice small details. Plain, one color, two color and full color CMYK are all available, inside and outside.
A bold inner color makes the lid opening feel like a reveal. A repeat pattern on all four sides also works well. Place your logo and artwork in Design Your Box and see the layout before you order.
- Matte lamination for a soft, paper-like feel
- Gloss lamination to make solid colors pop
- Foil stamping on a brand name or monogram
- Spot UV over a pattern for subtle texture
- Embossing to echo a letterpress card
How do I pack a stationery set for shipping?
Lay the notebook, normally the heaviest piece, flat against the base. Seat pens in their slots, then lay cards or stickers on top where they will not crease.
Fill small gaps with crinkle paper shred so nothing shifts in transit. If your box is a gift style, slip it inside a plain outer box before shipping.
Wrap soft-touch or linen covers in tissue first. Those surfaces mark easily, and a pen cap can leave a dent on a long trip.
What mistakes should I avoid with stationery boxes?
Buyers handle every item in a set, so small errors show fast. These are the ones we hear about most.
- Sizing the box for the notebook and forgetting the pens
- Letting loose pens scuff a soft-touch cover
- Shipping a thin gift box with no outer carton
- Printing small text in a pale color on kraft
- Leaving the inside blank on a gift box
Do stationery boxes work for subscriptions and kits?
They do, and most clubs rely on them. Choose one size that fits your fullest month, then use paper fill when the contents are smaller.
Keep the outer print general, such as your logo and brand colors. A printed card inside can change each month without a new box order. A printed mailer box suits this routine well.
Event kits are another fit. A notebook, pen and badge in a printed box makes a tidy conference pack. Schools and art classes use the same idea.
Wedding stationers use small lid boxes for invitation samples. A couple can see the paper, print and color together, the way guests will.
How do I order stationery boxes?
Stationery boxes start from $0.30 a box. The exact figure comes in your quote, sent by email within one business day. Minimums are low and quoted per job.
Once you approve the proof, production runs 4–6 business days. Shipping is free and tracked to any US address, and transit takes 2–3 business days. Start with a quote for your stationery set.
- Send your item sizes, preferred style and quantity.
- Choose board, print, inserts and finish.
- Approve the free design proof, with designer help if you need it.
- Receive the boxes flat and assemble them as you pack.
Stationery Boxes: questions
12 answersWhat box size fits a 5.5 × 8.5 in journal?
An inside size near 9 × 6.5 × 2 in often fits a journal with pens and a card. We cut it to your exact items.
Which style is best for shipping a stationery set?
A corrugated mailer is the most practical. Gift styles ship better inside a plain outer box.
Can you add slots for pens?
Yes. An insert can be cut with slots to hold pens and pencils in a row.
Can I print a pattern inside the lid of a gift stationery box?
Yes. Full color print runs on lids and inner walls, so a bold color or pattern can greet the buyer the moment the box opens.
Do you make flip-lid stationery boxes?
Yes. A flip-lid box opens like a book and suits premium pen and journal sets.
Can I order kraft stationery boxes?
Yes. Kraft board with one or two colors of print gives a natural look that many card makers like.
Can one box serve a monthly subscription?
Yes. Pick a size for your fullest month and keep the outside print general.
Which finishes suit stationery packaging?
Matte lamination, foil stamping and embossing are popular. Spot UV adds texture to a printed pattern.
Will my stationery boxes arrive flat, and how do I set up a pen insert?
They arrive flat to save space. Mailers fold up by hand in seconds, and a slotted pen insert drops in last.
How long does a stationery box order take?
Production takes 4–6 business days after proof approval. Tracked shipping then takes 2–3 business days.
What if my stationery boxes arrive damaged or misprinted?
Report it within 10 days with photos. We will reprint the boxes or refund you.
How do I reach you about stationery boxes?
Call (503) 461-4788, email info@ordercardboardboxes.com or send a WhatsApp message. Hours are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 6 pm Eastern.
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: Stationery 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.