Lipstick cartons are small enough that a sixteenth of an inch decides whether the tube slides in or has to be forced. This page gives the working dimensions by tube type, the clearance to allow, and the limits of what can be printed on a panel this narrow.
Tube first, carton second
Measure the tube as it will be filled and finished, not as it arrives from the component supplier. A wrapped label adds thickness. A shrink band adds more. Some metal and acrylic tubes are very slightly oval, so measure across both axes and use the larger figure. Then add clearance, roughly 1/16 inch per interior dimension, so the carton can be hand packed at speed without scuffing the label.
Working sizes by product type
| Product | Typical tube | Typical carton interior (in) |
|---|---|---|
| Bullet lipstick | 0.75 to 1 in across, 2.75 to 3.5 in tall | About 1 x 1 x 3.25 |
| Slim or refillable bullet | 0.6 to 0.75 in across | About 0.8 x 0.8 x 3.25 |
| Liquid lipstick or gloss | Slim body, doe foot wand | About 0.85 x 0.85 x 4 |
| Lip balm stick | 0.7 in across, 2.5 in tall | About 0.85 x 0.85 x 2.75 |
| Two piece gift set | Two tubes side by side | About 2.25 x 1.1 x 3.5 |
For the wider cosmetics range, including palettes and jars, see our cosmetic box dimensions reference.
What fits on a panel this narrow
A one inch wide panel is not much room for an ingredient list. Decide the required text before the artwork, because it does not shrink to fit. Three practical routes exist: extend the panel by using a taller carton than the tube strictly needs, print the ingredient text on an interior flap that folds out, or use a peel back label applied after the carton is made. Whichever you choose, keep the barcode on a flat panel with clear space around it, and keep small type in a single solid ink rather than a screen build, since fine reversed type on a narrow panel is the first thing to close up on press.
Structures that suit a small carton
- Straight tuck end. Both flaps tuck the same way, so the back panel takes the joins and the front stays clean.
- Reverse tuck end. Slightly more economical on the sheet, flaps tuck in opposite directions.
- Tuck top with a locking tab. Worth it for retail, since a plain tuck on a light carton can work open in a shipment.
- Carton plus insert. A thin platform keeps a slim tube from rattling in a taller carton.
Ordering, minimums and lead time
Minimum order is 100 cartons, which is enough to run a shade launch or a limited edition without printing thousands. Unit pricing opens at about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes, and your written quote carries the number for your run and your finish. Turnaround is stated per product across three lanes: rush (expedited production plus air freight, premium of about 7 to 25% depending on the job), standard (air, from about 7 business days plus 2 to 5 days for delivery), and cost saver (sea, slowest and cheapest). The die, the plates, design support, free US shipping and a digital proof are all part of the order. To see the product page for this category, visit custom lipstick boxes.
Send the tube dimensions, including the label, to our quote form and we will return a dieline with the clearance already built in.
