Rigid boxes — lid and base
Custom Two-Piece Rigid Boxes
The two-piece rigid box is the classic presentation box: a wrapped greyboard base tray and a separate lid that lifts straight off. It is the simplest rigid construction, the most economical one to make, and the one most buyers picture when they say gift box. Jewelry, apparel, gifting and retail products with a higher price point live in it.
- Family
- Rigid boxes
- Best for
- Jewelry, apparel, gifting, premium retail
- Minimum order
- 50 boxes
- Sizing
- Made to your dimensions
Construction
How it is built, and how it opens.
How it is built
Two trays are made from greyboard: the base, and a lid cut fractionally larger so it slides over it. Each tray's panels are cut, scored and turned up, the corners are secured, and the tray is wrapped in printed or specialty paper with the edges turned inside. An inner liner covers the floor and walls. The trays are wrapped separately, so lid and base can carry different colors or papers.
Lid depth and fit
A full-depth lid reaches the table and hides the base; a shallow lid leaves a band of the base showing, often wrapped in a contrasting color. Fit is the detail that decides how the box feels: a lid that drops on with a soft cushion of air reads as well made, while one that binds or rattles does not. We set the clearance to the board gauge and wrap thickness and confirm it on the pre-production sample.
Board and wrap
Greyboard from 1.5 mm to 3 mm, with the heavier gauges for larger footprints and for products with weight, such as glass. The wrap is full-color printed art paper or a textured, linen, kraft, metallic or leatherette paper. Foil stamping, embossing, debossing and spot UV are applied to the wrap before lamination, and lamination is included. A ribbon, tissue and a fitted insert complete the pack.
Packing, shipping and cost
Two-piece boxes are delivered assembled with the lid on the base, and stack well because each box is a closed cube. They take more storage than a carton and cannot fold flat. Of the rigid constructions this is the least costly to make, because there are no magnets, hinges or ribbon pulls, only two trays and two wraps; the difference from a magnetic or drawer box is in the labour, not the board.
What it suits
Where a two piece (lid & base) box earns its place.
Jewelry
A small deep-lid box with a fabric-wrapped platform and a slot or cushion for the piece.
Apparel and accessories
A shallow, wide box with tissue, where the lid lifts to reveal the folded garment.
Gifting and hampers
A larger box with a die-cut insert holding several items, wrapped for the season.
Candles and glass
A full-depth lid with a board or pulp cradle that keeps the glass from touching the walls.
Retail cosmetics
A wrapped lid with a foil mark for the higher-priced end of a range.
Finished work
Rigid boxes we have made.
Drawer and sleeve rigid box · Gold foil stamping 
Collapsible rigid box · Matte lamination 
Collapsible rigid box 
Collapsible rigid box base · Printed inside
- Internal dimensions (L × W × D) or the product itself, and the weight of the contents. Every box is made to your dimensions.
- Lid depth: full-depth to the table, or a shallow lid that shows a band of the base.
- Wrap for the lid and for the base, if they differ, and the inner liner color or print.
- Finishes on the wrap: foil stamping, embossing or debossing, spot UV, matte or gloss lamination.
- Insert: board, foam, pulp or fabric-wrapped, and how the items are arranged.
Or consider
When another style does the job better.
Shoulder & Neck
Choose it when a visible inner neck in a contrasting color is wanted, as with fragrance and spirits.
See the styleMagnetic Closure
Choose it when the lid should stay attached and the box should open flat on a hinge.
Read the guideCorrugated Lid & Base
Choose it for heavier products such as footwear, where fluted board carries the weight at lower cost.
See the style
Start a quote
Three answers is all it takes to open a job.
Structure, board and finishing come next — with our team, on the full quote form.
No account needed. Artwork and reference images can be attached on the next step.
Two Piece (Lid & Base) questions
Before you ask.
Anything not covered here, put it in the notes on your quote and we will answer it directly.
Ask on your quoteWhat is a two-piece rigid box?
A wrapped greyboard base tray with a separate, slightly larger lid that lifts straight off. It arrives assembled and is the most economical rigid construction.
Full-depth or shallow lid?
A full-depth lid hides the base and gives the heaviest feel; a shallow lid shows a band of the base, which can be wrapped in a contrasting color. Both use the same board and wrap.
Can the lid and base be different colors?
Yes. The two trays are wrapped separately, so each can carry its own paper, print or finish.
What is the minimum order for custom two-piece rigid boxes?
The minimum order for custom two-piece rigid boxes is 50 boxes, the same as every structure we make. Your quote shows the price at each quantity you ask for.
How long does production take?
Standard production is 10–12 working days from proof approval and payment. Ground shipping adds 3–5 working days, and delivery is free on every order.
Can I get a sample before the full run?
Standalone samples are chargeable, because making one box or a handful takes the same setup and production steps as a full run. On a qualifying bulk order, once the order is placed we produce a pre-production sample for your approval at no extra sample charge, and the remaining quantity runs after you approve it.
Same family
Other rigid boxes styles.
Start here
Send us your dimensions. We’ll send back a box.
Or talk to a packaging specialist: (209) 444-0744