Flip top boxes
18pt SBS500 minimum · 10 to 12 business daysA flip top box is a small folding carton where the lid stays attached to the body on a scored hinge and flips open and shut, the way a gum pack or a cigarette pack opens, rather than tucking in or lifting fully away. We produce them on 18pt SBS from 500 units in 10 to 12 business days after proof. A standard size for small candy, gum, or a single cosmetic item runs about 2.5 by 1 by 3.5 inches.
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose a flip top box when the product gets opened and closed repeatedly, like gum, mints, small candies, or a single cosmetic item used a pinch at a time, and you don't want a lid that comes off in someone's bag or a pocket. The hinge means there's nothing to lose and nothing to misalign on reassembly, which is the whole point of the format. It's also a cheap way to make a small item feel like a considered object rather than a bag of loose pieces.
Choose a straight tuck end carton instead if the box gets opened once and the contents come out for good, since a flip top's hinge adds a manufacturing step you don't need for a single-use package. Choose a slide-tray match box format if you want a sleeve-and-tray rather than a hinge, which reads a little more premium but costs more per unit.
Specifications
| Board | 18pt SBS, 20pt for a box carrying more than a few ounces |
|---|---|
| Offset CMYK, one color, Pantone match, metallic ink | |
| Finish | Matte aqueous, soft-touch, foil, spot UV |
| Closure | Scored hinge lid with a friction tab or magnet-free snap catch |
| Insert | None standard, a die-cut tray available for loose small items |
| Minimum | 500 units |
| Lead time | 10 to 12 business days after proof |
| Ships | Flat, glued, in bundles of 50 |
| Sizes we run | 2 x 0.75 x 3 in, gum or mint size 2.5 x 1 x 3.5 in, standard 3 x 1.5 x 4.5 in, small cosmetic or accessory any size from 1.5 x 0.5 x 2 to 4 x 2 x 6 in |
Materials that suit it
Questions people ask
Does the hinge wear out with repeated opening?
On 18pt SBS a scored hinge holds up through normal handling for the life of the product, which for gum or mints is usually a few weeks of use. It's not rated for years of daily flexing the way a rigid box's cloth hinge is, but that's not the job here.
What keeps the lid shut?
A small friction tab cut into the front lip catches under the lid edge, so no magnet or extra hardware is needed. It holds closed in a pocket or bag without popping open, and it's easy to open one-handed.
Can I fit a small tray inside for loose pieces?
Yes, a thin die-cut paperboard tray keeps loose mints or small items from sliding around and rattling. It adds one small step and no real lead time.
Is this the same as a cigarette-style box?
Structurally similar, yes: a hinged lid flipping open on a scored crease. We produce it for any small consumer product though, not just tobacco-adjacent categories, and there's no special compliance layout unless your category needs one.
Can it be a window box so the product shows?
Yes, a die-cut window with a clear film patch on the lid or front panel is a common add. It adds one step and no real lead time.
What is the minimum order for flip top boxes?
500 units, and reorders carry the same minimum. Lead time is 10 to 12 business days after you approve the free digital proof.
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Ready to price your flip top boxes?
Send the size and quantity for a quote and a dieline, usually within one business day. Your digital proof follows, usually within one business day of your artwork. Design help and the Swatch Book of materials are free.