Cupcake box with insert
18pt SBS with insert200 minimum · 10 to 12 business daysA cupcake box with an insert is a lock-corner paperboard box with a die-cut platform inside that holds each cupcake by its liner, so nothing slides or tips. We produce them on 18pt food-contact SBS from 200 units, in 10 to 12 business days after proof, for 1, 2, 4, 6 or 12 cupcakes. The 6-count box is the most common.
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose a cupcake box with an insert whenever the cupcakes have to travel further than the counter. The insert holds each one by its paper liner, so a car journey or a walk home does not leave frosting on the lid. Bakeries use the 6 and 12 counts for orders and the single box for a gift or a sample. A window in the lid shows the decoration, and the box stands 4 inches tall so a swirl of buttercream has clearance.
Choose a bakery box with a window and no insert for cupcakes sold in the shop and eaten within the hour, where the insert is an extra piece to fold. Choose a macaron box for anything smaller than a mini cupcake, since a 1.5 inch hole is the smallest that still grips a liner.
Specifications
| Board | 18pt SBS, virgin fiber, food-contact grade, inside unprinted; documentation supplied with the quote |
|---|---|
| One color flexo or full color offset, outside only | |
| Finish | Uncoated or matte aqueous outside |
| Closure | Lock corners with a tuck-in lid, window optional |
| Insert | Die-cut 18pt SBS platform, 2.25 inch holes for standard cupcakes, 1.5 inch for minis |
| Window | Optional clear PET window in the lid, any shape |
| Minimum | 200 units |
| Lead time | 10 to 12 business days after proof |
| Ships | Flat, boxes and inserts bundled separately |
| Sizes we run | 4 x 4 x 4 in, holds 1 6.5 x 4 x 4 in, holds 2 6.5 x 6.5 x 4 in, holds 4 10 x 7 x 4 in, holds 6 14 x 10 x 4 in, holds 12 any size from 4 x 4 x 3 to 16 x 12 x 5 in |
Materials that suit it
Questions people ask
What size are the insert holes?
2.25 inches for a standard cupcake in a 2 inch liner, which grips the liner just below the rim. 1.5 inches for minis. 2.5 inches for jumbo or a muffin. If your liners are an odd size, send us one and we spec the holes to fit. The insert sits about half an inch off the base so the liner bottom floats.
How tall does the box need to be?
Measure from the base of the liner to the top of the highest decoration and add 1 inch. Most buttercream swirls sit under 3 inches, so a 4 inch box works. For a tall fondant topper or a cone of frosting, go to 5 inches. The lid should never touch the frosting.
Does the insert come separately?
Yes. Inserts ship flat in their own bundle and drop into the folded box in one motion. They are die-cut with fold-down legs, so they stand at the right height without glue. Folding the box and dropping in the insert takes about 8 seconds once you have the hang of it.
Is the box safe for direct food contact?
Yes. The board and the insert are both virgin fiber SBS, food-contact grade, with no ink or coating on the inside. The cupcakes sit in their liners on the insert, so contact is minimal anyway. All print is on the outside of the lid and walls.
Can I get a window in the lid?
Yes, a clear PET window, any shape, glued to the inside of the lid. On a 6-count box a rectangle about 8 by 5 inches shows all six tops. Keep half an inch of board around the window so the lid stays stiff. The window adds nothing to the lead time.
How is the cupcake box with insert different from the cake pop box?
Both use a die-cut insert to hold each piece apart. The cupcake box has an 18pt food-contact SBS platform with 2.25 inch holes for standard cupcakes or 1.5 inch for minis, so each one is held by its liner, from 200 units in 10 to 12 business days after proof. The cake pop box uses a punched insert that holds sticks upright in a 4, 6 or 12 count grid, from 300 units in 8 to 10 business days. Liners suit the cupcake box; sticks suit the cake pop box.
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Ready to price your cupcake box with insert?
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.