Cufflinks are small, paired and awkwardly shaped, which makes the box a depth problem rather than a footprint problem. The decorative face is flat. The fitting behind it is not. Here is the order to work in.
Step 1: measure the whole cufflink, back included
Measure the face at its widest, then measure the total depth from the front of the face to the end of the fitting with the fitting in the position it will be packed in. A whale-back or swivel bar closed flat is a different depth from one left open. Decide which state your packing team will use and measure that state consistently.
Step 2: lay the pair out
A pair sits side by side, and they must not touch each other or they will mark. Internal width is two face widths plus whatever separates them, which is either the gap between two slits in a pad or an actual divider wall. Measure the loaded pad rather than calculating from the cufflinks.
Step 3: let the insert set the depth
| Insert | Depth behaviour | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Slit foam pad | Fitting pushes into the foam, so depth is mostly the pad thickness | The common retail solution, forgiving of small variations |
| Flocked tray with recesses | Depth is the tray, measure it loaded | Premium presentation, holds the pair perfectly square |
| Printed card with slits | Minimal depth, the fitting hangs behind the card | Lower cost, needs a cavity behind the card for the backs |
Step 4: decide the box style, then add its wall
A folding carton has a thin wall, so the external size is close to the cavity. A rigid two piece box has a wrapped chipboard wall, and the lid must clear the base, so the finished box is meaningfully larger than the cavity on every axis. If you are presenting cufflinks as a gift item, the rigid route is usually the one chosen, and that means you should state on the quote which figure you supplied: the internal cavity or the finished external size.
Step 5: think about what else goes in
Many cufflink boxes also carry a card, a polishing cloth or a warranty slip. Each is thin, but a box with no allowance for them will not close flat, and a lid that sits proud looks like a defect. Add them to the measured assembly before you finalise.
Ordering
Minimum order is 100 boxes. Price starts from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes and is confirmed on your written quote, because at this size the finishing choices, foil, embossing, soft touch lamination, a magnetic closure, drive the number more than the board does. The cutting die, the plates, design support, US shipping and a digital proof before anything prints are included. With tooling included, cut the cavity to your pair rather than accepting a near-standard box that leaves the pair loose.
Production runs from West Chicago in the US and Guangzhou in China, in three lanes: rush is expedited production plus air freight at a premium of about 7 to 25% depending on the job, standard moves by air, cost saver moves by sea. The floor is from about 7 business days, plus 2 to 5 for delivery, and specialty imported rigid items can run up to about 12 weeks.
To order, start at custom cufflink boxes. If you want the scenario-led version of this page, read what size cufflink box do I need. Send your measured pad, your box style preference and your finish list through the quote form, and ask to see a folding carton and a rigid build priced against each other.
