Work gloves are a different packaging problem from disposables. They are thick, they do not compress much, they come in a size range that changes the footprint, and they are usually sold through three levels of pack at once. Getting the dimensions right means measuring all three levels, in order, before anything is drawn.
Level one: the retail pair pack
Lay one pair flat, palm down, fingers straight, cuffs aligned. Measure the length from the fingertip to the end of the cuff, the width across the widest point which is usually the knuckles or the gauntlet, and the height of the pair stacked one on top of the other. Do this with the largest size in the range. A pack cut for a medium will not close on an XXL, and running two dies to avoid the issue costs more than the extra half inch of board.
The pack format then follows from how it hangs or sits. A header card with a euro slot needs the slot area above the product. A sleeve needs the gloves to be presentable from both sides. A tuck end carton hides them entirely and needs a window or good photography.
Level two: the banded dozen or inner
Most work gloves ship in dozens. Band or bag a dozen the way the packer does it, then measure the bundle under that same pressure. Coated palms, leather and insulated linings all resist compression, so the bundle is usually taller than people estimate from the single pair. This is the level where guesswork costs the most, because an inner that is half an inch short means the master case does not close.
Level three: the master case
The master is a regular slotted container sized to hold a whole number of inners with almost no slack. Work out the case from the inner, then check the case against the pallet.
| Level | What you measure | What you add |
|---|---|---|
| Pair pack | Largest size pair, flat, palm down | About 1/8 in clearance, plus header card area if hung |
| Dozen inner | Banded bundle under packing pressure | About 1/4 in, since bundles relax |
| Master case | Inners arranged in the pattern you will actually use | Board caliper on every wall, then check pallet fit |
The pallet check is quick. A case footprint that divides into 48 x 40 in fills a layer with no overhang: 16 x 10 in gives 12 per layer, 12 x 10 in gives 16, 24 x 20 in gives 4.
Print and durability
Work glove packaging lives in trade counters, hardware aisles and site stores, which are rougher environments than a cosmetics shelf. Kraft board takes the abuse well and prints well in one or two colours. If the pack is hung, the hang tab is the failure point, so reinforce it or use a die cut that spreads the load rather than a plain slot in light board.
Cost, minimum and timing
Glove packaging starts at 100 units per item, from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes, confirmed on your written quote. The cutting die, the printing plates, design support, US shipping and a digital proof are included, which matters here because three pack levels would otherwise mean three tooling charges. Turnaround is stated per product in three lanes, rush (expedited production plus air freight), standard (air) and cost saver (sea), from about 7 business days of production plus 2 to 5 days for delivery. Rush adds roughly 7 to 25% depending on the job. Production runs from West Chicago in the US and Guangzhou in China.
Send the largest size pair measurement and the count per inner and per case, and we will size all three levels together so they nest without slack. Start at request a quote, or order from the custom gloves boxes page. For thin disposables, the method is different and is covered on glove box dimensions.
