Eyeliner is one of the harder cosmetic cartons to get right, for a simple geometric reason: the box is several times longer than it is wide. Long thin panels bow, tuck flaps have almost nothing to grip, and any print misregistration is obvious against a straight edge. To order, use custom eyeliner boxes. This page covers what to specify first.
The three formats size differently
| Format | What sets the carton | Structural note |
|---|---|---|
| Pencil | Length including the sharpened tip and cap, diameter at the widest point | Very slim, so a seal end or a sleeve often beats a straight tuck |
| Liquid, wand in cap | Overall height with cap on, cap collar diameter | Top heavy, so the carton wants to be a snug fit at the cap end |
| Gel pot with brush | Pot diameter and the brush length if it is packed alongside | Two items, so a fence or a recess keeps them separated |
Take the measurements with a caliper over the finished, labelled product. A shrink sleeve or a wrapped label adds a small amount that a ruler will not catch, and on a carton this narrow that amount is the whole clearance.
Structure for a tall, narrow box
Three structural choices come up repeatedly. A straight tuck end is the cheapest and quickest to erect, and it works when the panel is wide enough for a flap to grip. A seal end, glued at the factory, is more secure on very slim cartons and gives a cleaner face. A sleeve over a small tray is a premium presentation that adds a component and a cost.
Whichever you pick, watch the panel to depth ratio. If the carton is much longer than it is wide, ask for a crease and board combination that resists bowing, because a bowed carton on a shelf reads as damaged stock even when the product inside is perfect.
Board, print and finish
Folding carton board is the norm here: smooth, prints fine type cleanly, and creases without cracking through a laminate. Fine flute corrugated is an option if you want visible texture or a little more rigidity, and the differences are set out on what F flute corrugated is. On finish, matte laminates suit a soft brand and show fingerprints less on a dark carton, gloss lifts colour, and a foil or a spot gloss on a narrow panel needs generous margins because there is very little panel to be off by.
Running a shade range
A liner range is the same carton printed many times. Fix the layout once, put the shade name in a consistent position so retail staff can face a shelf quickly, and keep the barcode and batch panel in the same place across every version. Since the die and the plates are included on every order, adding a shade later is an artwork change rather than a tooling exercise.
Minimum, price and lead time
The minimum is 100 boxes, from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes, confirmed on your written quote. The die, the plates, design support, US shipping and a digital proof before printing are included. Production is quoted per product across three lanes, rush (expedited production plus air freight), standard (air) and cost saver (sea), from about 7 business days, plus 2 to 5 for delivery, with specialty finishes running longer. Two plants, West Chicago and Guangzhou.
Send the capped height, the widest diameter and the shade list with your quote request, then order from the eyeliner boxes page. If you are specifying a full colour range, concealer box dimensions covers the measuring routine for the wider tubes in the same line.
