A tampon box is a small carton with a lot to do. It holds a counted set of individually wrapped items, often dispenses them one at a time, and carries more required text per square inch than most packaging. All of that affects the dimensions, so it pays to work through them in order.
Measure the wrapped tampon
Measure the tampon in its individual wrapper, because that is what goes in the box. Applicator tampons are noticeably longer than non-applicator, or digital, tampons, so the two need different boxes. Within a range, higher absorbency tampons can be larger, so if one box will hold mixed absorbencies, measure the largest one and size the cavity to it.
Choose the layout
- Standing upright in rows, which suits a top dispenser opening and a tall, narrow carton.
- Lying flat in layers, which suits a shorter, wider box and side dispensing.
- Mixed packs in separate sections, using dividers so each absorbency stays in its own group.
Count the tampons in each direction. Inside width is the number across times the wrapped width, inside depth is the number of rows times the wrapped thickness, and height is the tampon length in an upright layout. Then add clearance so the last few tampons come out easily.
Worked example (illustrative only)
Suppose a wrapped applicator tampon measures 4.8 inches long and 0.6 inches across, and you want 18 standing in 3 rows of 6. The inside width is about 6 x 0.6 = 3.6 inches, the depth about 3 x 0.6 = 1.8 inches, and the height 4.8 inches. Adding a little clearance gives roughly 3.8 x 2 x 5 inches inside. These are example figures to show the arithmetic; measure your own product.
Formats the iBox page names
The iBox custom tampon boxes page lists pocket cartons, regular retail count boxes, mixed absorbency boxes, monthly care packs and slim subscription formats, and notes that the dieline is created around your exact dimensions, with flaps, folds, depth and panel order adjusted to suit. It names folding cartons, tuck end boxes, sleeve boxes, drawer boxes, dispenser cartons and subscription mailer boxes as structural options, depending on whether the box sits on a pharmacy shelf, ships in an online order or goes into clinic inventory.
Dispenser openings and tear strips
A dispenser cut, listed as an add-on on the product page, is a perforated panel the customer tears away to pull tampons out one at a time. It needs a clean panel area clear of required text, and its position depends on the layout: a top opening for upright tampons, a side or front opening for flat layers. Leave enough board around the opening that the box keeps its shape as it empties.
Panel space for text
Tampon boxes carry product count, absorbency, directions and other information that may be required for your market. The product page suggests keeping the front panel for the product name, use and key details, and using side panels for directions, warnings, batch details, barcode areas or QR codes. If the text does not fit at a readable size, the box is too small, whatever the tampons need. Confirming the required wording is your call; size the panels so it fits.
Board and outside size
The product page lists 300 to 450 gsm board or kraft stock, and mentions SBS paperboard, kraft board, coated recycled board and corrugated mailer board as material choices, with extra thickness for heavier contents. Folding carton walls add little to the outside dimensions, which keeps shelf facings compact.
Ordering tampon boxes to size
Send the wrapped tampon size, the count, the layout, any mixed absorbency split and the opening style. The die and plates are free, so a box sized to your product costs nothing extra in tooling. The minimum is 100 boxes per design, with free design support, free US shipping and a digital proof before printing. Start on the quote form, or see related items on the custom pharma boxes page. For the carton family and the auto bottom option, see what is a folding carton and what is an auto bottom box.
