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GuideRigid box vs folding carton: MOQ, lead time and structures compared
A rigid box is greyboard wrapped in printed or specialty paper, formed into a fixed shape; MOQ is 1,000 pcs and production takes about 20 days. A folding carton is printed and die-cut from single-ply card and ships flat; MOQ is 3,000 pcs and production takes about 14 days. Samples take about 7 days for both, and we make both in the same Shenzhen factory.
How are they built?
| Rigid box | Folding carton | |
|---|---|---|
| Core | Greyboard | Single-ply card: white (SBS), kraft, black, gold or silver |
| Outer surface | Wrapped in printed coated art paper or specialty paper | Printed directly on the card |
| How it is made | Wrapped and formed on our automatic box-making lines | Printed and die-cut, then folded into shape |
| Arrives as | A finished, fixed-shape box | Flat, folded into shape at pack-out |
Greyboard thickness for rigid boxes is chosen by product weight and box structure, and confirmed with the quote. See all materials.
What are the MOQs?
- Rigid box: 1,000 pcs, for every rigid structure.
- Folding carton: 3,000 pcs, for every folding carton structure.
Below either minimum, we still assess feasibility: send your target quantity with the quote request and we will tell you what is possible and how the unit price changes.
How long does each take?
| Rigid box | Folding carton | |
|---|---|---|
| Sample | About 7 days | About 7 days |
| Production (ex-works, after sample approval) | About 20 days | About 14 days |
| Door to door, including ocean freight | Around 30–40 days | |
Which structures are available?
Rigid boxes (6): magnetic flip-top, drawer (sliding), lid & base, book-style, double-door (gatefold) and shoulder (neck) box. See rigid box structures.
Folding cartons (5): straight tuck-end, auto-bottom, press-and-slide, tuck-lock and window box. See folding carton structures.
All eleven are engineered, sampled and produced in our own factory.
What do our buyers order?
Across our five box industries, the build our buyers order most is a rigid box (paper tubes are a separate process; see paper tube sizes):
| Industry | Most-ordered build |
|---|---|
| Vape | Magnetic flip-top or drawer box, coated art paper, EVA insert, hot foil |
| Perfume | Drawer box, specialty paper, EVA insert, hot foil |
| Wine | Lid & base box, specialty paper, EVA insert, hot foil |
| Jewelry | Drawer box, specialty paper outside, velvet lining, hot foil |
| Cosmetics | Magnetic flip-top box, specialty paper, EVA insert, hot foil |
Our cosmetic buyers, for example, rarely order folding cartons from us. Folding cartons are made at 3,000 pcs; say in the quote request which you are considering.
What should I send for a quote?
- Product dimensions and weight
- Rigid box, folding carton, or both to compare
- Structure, if you already know it
- Quantity
Not sure which fits? Send the product and quantity and we will recommend a structure with the quote. Artwork is not needed for the first review.
Where to go next
The product pages behind this guide.
Send product type and quantity
A quick reply covers MOQ feasibility, sample timing and a board and finish route.
No artwork required for the first review.