A gift box is judged at first sight: the weight of the lid, the closing sound and the feel of the paper tell the buyer what is inside before it is opened. Jewellers, chocolatiers, wine sellers and corporate gifting companies all buy boxes in different styles, from thin folding boxes to thick rigid boxes with magnetic lids. Send a request with the product size and how many you need, and gift box suppliers near you quote directly. It is free and there is no obligation to buy.
Rigid or folding gift boxes
A rigid box is built from thick greyboard wrapped in printed or coloured paper. It arrives assembled, feels solid and can be reused, so it is the choice for jewellery, watches, perfume and premium gifts. A folding box is cut from thin paperboard and delivered flat, which is lighter, cheaper and easier to store. It suits chocolates, candles and lower priced items.
Common styles are the lid and base box, the shoulder neck box, the book-style box with a magnetic flap, and the drawer box. Magnetic closures cost a little more but feel better.
Inserts, tissue and finishing
An insert holds the product still: foam with a slot for a ring, a card tray for chocolates, a moulded pulp cradle for a bottle. Tissue paper, shredded paper filler, ribbon and a swing tag complete the unboxing. Ask the supplier to cut the insert for your item, as a loose product sliding about makes a good box feel cheap.
For finishing, matt lamination hides fingerprints, gloss shows colour, and a hot foil stamp or embossed logo works well on a lid. Each finish adds cost and time, so apply them where the customer sees them first. Printed outer cartons for posting gift boxes are covered under custom printed boxes.
Boxes for specific gifts
- Jewellery boxes: small, usually under 100 mm, with a foam or velvet insert and a lid that lifts off.
- Chocolate boxes: must be suitable for food contact, so ask for a food-grade liner or tray.
- Perfume boxes: folding or rigid, cut to the bottle with a snug insert.
- Wine boxes: a sturdy single or double bottle carton with a dividing insert, or a wooden crate for premium wines.
- Hamper boxes: large, shallow trays with a lid and a shredded paper bed.
Minimums, lead times and corporate gifting
Stock plain gift boxes are available from about 10 or 25 pieces and cost R5 to R80 each. Custom rigid boxes usually start at 300 to 500 pieces and take four to eight weeks, especially if made overseas, so order well before Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and the December season. Corporate gifting buyers should ask for a sample, a firm delivery date and whether a branded insert is possible. Add packaging suppliers for outer cartons and paper bags for a matching carry bag.
What to include in your request
- What goes inside, with size in mm
- Rigid, folding or magnetic closure
- Insert, tissue and ribbon needed
- Plain, logo or full colour print
- Quantity and the date you need it
Gift Boxes for different businesses
- Online shops and ecommerce: gift boxes with tissue and ribbon for online orders sent as presents
- Restaurants, takeaways and food producers: chocolate, biscuit and hamper boxes with food-safe trays and liners
- Shops and retail stores: plain and printed gift boxes for jewellery, homeware and clothing counters
- Factories and manufacturers: rigid presentation boxes for watches, tools and corporate gifts
- Warehouses, distributors and exporters: outer cartons and pallets for moving gift boxes in bulk to retailers
- Households and offices moving: small keepsake boxes and storage boxes for jewellery and treasured items
- Farms, packhouses and nurseries: wine, olive oil and preserve boxes for farm shops and tourist outlets
- Cosmetics, candles and health products: perfume, candle and skincare boxes with foam or card inserts
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a rigid and a folding gift box?
Can I order gift boxes with my own logo?
How much do gift boxes cost?
Are gift boxes safe for food?
Gift Boxes by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg