Tins are dimensioned differently from board packaging, and the difference catches people out. A tin's stated size is the exterior. The metal has thickness, the edges are rolled for safety, and the lid overlaps the base. All of that eats into the space your product actually gets.
Where the interior space goes
- Rolled edges. The safety curl at the rim occupies both height and diameter.
- Seam and body thickness. The wall is not a line on a drawing, it has real thickness on every side.
- Lid overlap. A slip lid sits over the base, so the closed height is more than the base height, and the interior depth is less.
- Base profile. Many tins have a recessed or domed base that reduces usable depth.
The practical consequence: if your product is close to the stated size, it will not fit. Measure your product and compare it to the interior, not the exterior.
Common formats to measure against
| Format | Approximate exterior | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| Rectangular pocket tin | About 3.75 x 2.4 x 0.75 inches | Mints, lip balm, small hardware, seed kits |
| Small round slider | About 2.4 inches diameter, under an inch deep | Balms, salves, sample sizes |
| Medium round | About 3.1 inches diameter, around 1 inch deep | Cosmetics, waxes, small confectionery |
| Candle style round | About 3.3 to 4 inches diameter, 2 inches or more deep | Candles, larger balms |
| Deep round or drum | 4 inches diameter and up | Tea, coffee, gift assortments |
Treat every figure as approximate. Tin suppliers vary, and the only number that matters is the one you measure on the tin in your hand.
The sleeve or carton around the tin
Most brands that ask about tin dimensions actually need a printed sleeve, a carton or a shipper to go around a tin they already buy. That is the faster route: no metal tooling, no long lead time, and the print carries the branding. To size it, measure the tin at its widest point including the lid overlap, add a small clearance so it slides, and decide whether the sleeve covers the full height or leaves the lid visible. See box sleeve dimensions for the sleeve maths, and sleeve boxes for the construction.
What we can quote
Send the tin you use, or the tin you are considering, and we will confirm on the written quote what can be produced for it. The minimum order is 100 units and pricing starts from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes, confirmed on the quote. Die, plates, dieline design support, free US shipping and a digital proof are included.
Production runs from about 7 business days, plus 2 to 5 for delivery, across rush (expedited production plus air freight, about 7 to 25% premium depending on the job), standard (air) and cost saver (sea). Specialty imported items can run up to about 12 weeks, so if a tin format is part of the job, treat the calendar as the constraint and plan early.
Send your tin measurements
Send your tin measurements and quantity to /quote/. If the tin is a candle vessel, the sizing method in candle box dimensions applies directly.
