Beer packaging is a structural problem before it is a graphics problem. The pack has to hold a significant weight by a handle, survive a cold wet environment, stack in a cooler and still look like the brand on a crowded shelf. Work through it in that order.
Container dimensions to design around
| Container | Commonly published height | Commonly published diameter |
|---|---|---|
| 12 oz standard can | about 4.83 in | about 2.6 in |
| 16 oz can | about 6.19 in | about 2.6 in |
| 12 oz slim can | about 6.1 in | about 2.28 in |
| 12 oz longneck bottle | about 9.1 to 9.2 in | about 2.3 in at the body |
These are widely published industry figures and a design starting point, not iBox stock sizes. Every can and bottle supplier publishes a drawing for the exact container you buy, and that drawing beats any table including this one.
Pick the format
- Wrap or cluster pack. A printed wrap around four or six cans. Efficient, minimal material, no handle unless it is die cut in.
- Basket carrier. The classic six pack with a centre handle. Carries a real load by one point, so the handle area and the board grade are the whole design.
- Fully enclosed carton. Twelve and twenty four packs, sometimes with a perforated fridge pack opening. Print surface is large and stacking matters.
- Ecommerce shipper. A corrugated case with dividers or moulded pulp inserts, built to survive a parcel network rather than a store shelf.
Board, moisture and weight
A six pack of 12 oz cans is a meaningful weight hanging from a paperboard handle, and the environment is damp. Corrugated and board both lose stiffness as they absorb moisture, which is why a pack that felt solid on the bench can fail in a cooler. Two things to ask for explicitly: the board grade, and the maximum gross weight it carries. Our explainer on burst strength and edge crush covers which measurement answers which question.
Shipping beer, briefly and honestly
Alcohol shipping is regulated. Carriers require approval and licensing to ship it, and rules vary by state and destination. We make packaging. We do not certify that a shipment is compliant, so confirm the requirements with your carrier and your counsel before you build a direct to consumer programme around a box.
Print notes for this category
Beer packs live in cold, wet, brightly lit places and compete on shelf impact. Large solid colours and metallic effects are common. Keep the barcode readable and out of a fold, plan where the batch or best before code gets applied, and leave that area uncoated if it is inkjetted in line. Our page on packaging artwork file formats covers file setup.
Price, minimum and lead time
Minimum order is 100 units, from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes, confirmed on your written quote. Board grade, print coverage and structure are the movers here. Die and plates, design support, US shipping and a digital proof before anything prints are included, which means a carrier cut to your exact can height costs no more to tool than a rounded one.
Turnaround runs in three lanes: rush (expedited production with air freight), standard (air) and cost saver (sea), from about 7 business days plus 2 to 5 for delivery, with specialty imported items up to about 12 weeks. Rush carries a premium of about 7 to 25% depending on the job. We produce in West Chicago and in Guangzhou.
To order, go to beer boxes. Send your container drawing, your pack count and whether it needs a handle, then request a quote.
