Earring boxes are small enough that a quarter inch is a big proportion of the whole thing, which is why a generic answer is useless here. Two questions narrow it quickly.
Question one: what style are you packing?
- Studs. The smallest format. The footprint is set by the card or pad and the spacing between the two posts. Depth comes from the posts and butterflies sitting behind the card, which is easy to forget.
- Drops and danglers. Hang the pair and measure from the top of the hook to the lowest point. The box depth or height has to let the piece hang without resting on the base, or the piece will bend.
- Hoops. Laid flat, so the footprint is the outer diameter plus clearance. Shallow box, wide footprint. Never size a hoop box so tight that the hoop has to be sprung into it.
- Ear cuffs and climbers. Measure on the side, at the widest cross section, which is often not the obvious axis.
Question two: where is it sold?
| Channel | Usual format | What it does to the size |
|---|---|---|
| Retail shelf or peg | Printed card, or a slim carton with a window | Face panel and hang hole matter, depth stays minimal |
| Counter and gifting | Rigid box with a flocked insert | Walls and wrap grow the external size on every face |
| Ecommerce, shipped alone | Presentation box inside a mailer | Two boxes, sized in sequence and not together |
| Subscription or kit | Slim carton sized to a tray position | The tray dictates the box, not the earring |
The insert question, answered honestly
An insert is not a small detail on a box this size. A flocked tray can take a third of the internal depth, and a slotted pad shifts where the piece sits by a few millimetres, which is plenty to make a lid press on a stone. When you ask for a quote, ask for the internal cavity dimension with the insert fitted. That is the number that determines whether your earring goes in comfortably.
Do not size the mailer at the same time
If the box ships on its own, finish the presentation box first, then size the mailer to the presentation box's external dimensions plus the card, tissue and anything else in the parcel. Sizing both at once is how people end up with a mailer that will not close on a gift set.
Why custom is not the expensive option here
The cutting die is included at iBox, along with the plates, design support, US shipping and a digital proof before print. So a box cut to your actual insert costs no more to tool than a near standard one. On small jewellery boxes that is the whole argument: there is no reason to pay for air around a pair of studs.
Ordering and lead time
Minimum order is 100 boxes, from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes, confirmed on your written quote. Rigid construction, wraps, foil and flocked inserts all move the price, which is why it is quoted per job. Turnaround comes in three lanes: rush (expedited production with air freight), standard (air) and cost saver (sea), from about 7 business days plus 2 to 5 for delivery. Rigid, hand assembled jewellery boxes sit at the longer end and specialty imported items can run up to about 12 weeks. Rush adds about 7 to 25% depending on the job. We produce in West Chicago and in Guangzhou.
If you want the measuring sequence in full, see our guide to sizing an earring box. To order, see custom earring boxes.
Photograph the pair on the insert you have in mind, note the hanging length, and request a quote. We will come back with a cavity size, an insert option and a price at your volume.
