Before anything else, work out which of two problems you have, because people arrive at this page with both. To order either, go to glitter boxes.
Job one: packaging that contains loose glitter
Loose glitter is a micro-particle product and it finds every seam. A folding carton is not a sealed container, so the containment has to happen inside it.
- Specify a sealed primary container. A screw-top jar, a shaker with a sifter fitment, a heat-sealed pouch or a stick pack. The carton then does presentation and information, not containment.
- Size the carton from that container, measured assembled with its lid or fitment fitted, plus the insert thickness. State the result as internal length x width x depth, and confirm on the quote that the figure is internal.
- Hold it still. A jar loose in a carton rattles, and a shaker that tips can leak through its own sifter. A card platform or a partition is cheap insurance.
- Expect multipacks. Glitter sells in colour sets, so plan the partition grid and the count first, then size the box to the grid.
- Check the shipping rules for your specific formulation and destination, including any air freight restrictions, before you commit to a pack format.
Job two: a box with a glitter finish
Here glitter is a decorative effect and the question is which technique delivers it.
| Route | How it looks | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Glitter-coated stock | The most literal sparkle, full coverage | Can shed particles in handling and shipping. Ask about seal coating. |
| Metallic or holographic laminate | A bright reflective sheen across a whole panel | Stable, no shedding, and it adds a plastic layer to the pack |
| Foil stamping | Sharp, controlled shine on specific artwork elements | Best contrast over a matte base. The premium route, and the most durable. |
| Glitter varnish or spot effect | Sparkle limited to chosen areas | Cheaper than full coverage, and it keeps the rest of the print clean |
If shedding matters (children's products, anything handled repeatedly, anything that goes into a retail display) foil or laminate is usually the right answer over a coated stock. The contrast logic behind the base finish is on matte versus gloss lamination.
Construction choices for both jobs
A tuck end carton covers single units and is the cheapest route. A partitioned carton or a tray suits colour sets. A rigid two-piece box is the gift and cosmetic route, and it is also the construction where a foil or laminate finish looks most deliberate. If the box ships direct to a consumer, it is an inner and needs a corrugated outer around it, sized with the method on sizing a corrugated shipping box.
What to send for a quote
- Which job you have: containment, finish, or both.
- If containment: the primary container, measured assembled, and the count per pack.
- If finish: whether you want full coverage or a targeted effect, and whether shedding is a concern.
- Quantity, and how many colour variants you run.
- Artwork or a sketch. Design support is included.
Minimums, price and lead time
The minimum is 100 boxes and pricing starts 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 anything prints are included. We make in West Chicago in the US and Guangzhou in China, and turnaround is quoted per product in 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. Specialty finishes and imported rigid constructions can run up to about 12 weeks.
Order at glitter boxes.
Tell us which of the two jobs you are solving on the quote form and we will come back with a construction, a finish route and a written price. Finishes are hard to judge from a proof, so if the effect is the deciding factor, say so and we will arrange physical samples through the quote conversation.
