Product and fit
The product dimensions, weight, shape, primary container, and required fit determine the starting structure.
Folding cartons
Custom folding cartons
Hercule Industrial procures and supplies custom paperboard folding cartons for products sold or packed individually. That includes retail boxes, trays, sleeves, carriers, inserts, and other carton formats, with the size, board, print, closure, and packing method set for the product.
- Samples to 100+ unit short-runs to 5K+ units production-runs.
- US-based production & shipping.
- Bespoke structural & print design services available.
Folding carton types
Common folding carton types
Browse common paperboard carton categories, or start with what the carton needs to hold, how it should open, and how it will be packed.
Rectangular folding cartons
Straight-sided cartons with tuck, lock, automatic, sealed, or other top and bottom closures.
Rectangular carton examples
Fold-up trays and covers
Paperboard trays, bases, covers, and two-piece packs made from folded panels.
Tray and cover examples
Shaped and tapered cartons
Glued cartons with tapered, faceted, triangular, or other non-rectangular bodies.
Shaped glued carton examples
Shaped trays and covers
Fold-up trays and covers with shaped bases, tapered walls, or non-rectangular outlines.
Shaped tray examples
Product-fitted cartons and carriers
Cartons, carriers, and wraps built around bottles, tubes, bars, primary packs, and other products.
Product-fitted carton examples
Special cartons and inserts
Special carton formats, flat or curved forms, inlays, separators, and inserts.
Special carton and insert examplesI need folding cartons to...
pack an individual product for retail saleCosmetics, medicine, food, hardware, and other products sold in a printed paperboard box.View carton exampleschoose how a rectangular carton opens and closesTuck ends, locking flaps, automatic bottoms, sealed ends, and other carton closures.View carton exampleshold a product in a fold-up traySmall products, sets, confectionery, cosmetics, parts, and other items held in a shallow paperboard tray.View carton examplesuse a paperboard tray with a separate coverPresentation packs and product sets that use a separate paperboard base and cover.View carton examplesuse a shaped or tapered cartonProducts that suit a tapered, faceted, triangular, or other non-rectangular carton.View carton examplespack bottles, tubes, jars, or cansBottles, tubes, jars, cans, and other products that need a carton or carrier built around their arrangement.View carton exampleswrap a product or primary packBars, slabs, folders, primary packs, and other products held by a close-fitting paperboard wrap.View carton examplesadd an insert or separatorProducts that need a separate inlay, separator, support, or paperboard insert inside the carton.View carton examplesadd a handle, hanger, opening, or display featureCartons that need a carrying handle, hanging panel, display panel, opening, pour feature, or reclosure.View carton examples
ECMA catalog
Standard ECMA folding carton designs
Browse 244 ECMA carton designs covering rectangular cartons, trays, shaped cartons, product-fitted packs, special forms, inserts, and added features.
View ECMA catalogFactors to consider
A folding carton has to fit the product, run through the packing process, present well, and arrive without damage.
Packing method
Hand packing, automatic cartoning, loading direction, closure method, and line speed affect the carton design.
Board, print, and finish
Paperboard grade, print, coatings, windows, foil, embossing, and other finishes depend on the product and presentation needs.
Handling and shipping
Retail handling, storage, distribution, and the outer shipping case still have to protect the finished carton and product.
Need a quote?
Need a folding carton quoted?
Carton size, quantity, and any drawing, photo, old quote, or current carton you already have are enough to start. We take it from there.