A sample kit is a persuasion tool. Someone opens it once, decides something, and either keeps it or bins it. That makes the layout inside the box more important than the box itself, because a kit where three of six samples have shifted out of position looks careless before a word is read.
Hold everything still
| Insert type | Holds | Tradeoff |
|---|---|---|
| Die cut paperboard tray | Sachets, small jars, cards, swatches | Lightest and cheapest, limited depth |
| Corrugated partition | Bottles, jars, multiple identical items | Strong and cheap, less refined in appearance |
| Foam insert | Fragile or heavy items, tools, devices | Best protection, adds thickness and weight |
| Molded pulp or thermoformed tray | Curved or irregular items | Precise fit, longer to produce |
Cut the cavity slightly larger than the sample. A cavity cut to the exact nominal dimension will be too tight for part of your stock, because filled sachets and molded jars vary between batches. Too loose and the item rattles, which is the fault everyone notices.
Kit formats that work
- Two piece lid and base. The classic presentation kit. The lid lifts off and the whole layout is revealed at once.
- Drawer box. A sliding inner tray, which gives a deliberate, slow reveal and protects the contents in a bag.
- Mailer with an integrated tray. The lowest cost route when the kit ships to a customer directly and does not need a second outer.
- Book style rigid box. A hinged lid with a magnet closure, used where the kit doubles as a leave-behind on a buyer's desk.
Print the kit as a sales document
The inside of a sample kit is the only packaging surface a prospect studies. Print the interior. Label each cavity so the sample is identified without a separate leaflet. Number the sequence if there is an order in which you want the samples tried. If the kit goes to trade buyers, leave a panel for pricing or a QR code that you can update without reprinting the box.
A note on samples of your packaging
iBox does not sell a stock sample kit of its own boxes. If you need to see and handle material before committing to a run, raise it in the quote conversation and it will be handled as part of your specific job. Every order also includes a digital proof before anything prints, which is where most spec questions get settled.
Minimum, price and turnaround
The minimum is 100 kits. Unit pricing starts at about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes and is confirmed on your written quote, and on a kit the insert is often the larger part of that number. The cutting die for both box and insert is included, along with design support and US shipping.
Turnaround is stated per product in three lanes: Rush (expedited production plus air freight), Standard (air) and Cost saver (sea). Production runs from about 7 business days plus 2 to 5 days for delivery. Rigid and specialty imported kit constructions can run up to about 12 weeks, which is worth checking against your trade show calendar.
Build your kit
Send a list of what goes in the kit, with dimensions, through the quote form. Related: insert packaging, kit box dimensions and packaging for trade shows.
