Die-cut paperboard insert
A die-cut paperboard insert is 18, 20 or 24pt SBS cut and scored into a cradle, collar or platform that holds a product still inside a mailer, carton or rigid box. It is the simplest way to stop jars, bottles and sets moving in transit, it prints to match the box, and it stays paper. For very heavy or very fragile items, foam or corrugated holds better.
Die-cut paperboard insert at a glance
| Board | 18, 20 or 24pt SBS, white or kraft face |
|---|---|
| Forms | Cradles, collars, platforms, slotted trays, multi-cavity cards |
| Holds by | Geometry: the product sits in a cut opening |
| Prints to match the box | |
| Used in | Mailers, folding cartons, rigid set boxes, tubes |
| Sold as | Part of a box, or on its own to fit a box you already have |
| Upgrade | Velvet flocking for jewelry and small fragrance |
When to choose it, and when not to
Choose a die-cut insert for jars, droppers, bottles and small sets in a mailer or carton: a serum in a carton cradle, three jars in a cosmetic mailer, a candle held off the walls of a shipper. It is light, keeps the whole pack in paper, and costs far less than foam.
Skip it for heavy or genuinely fragile products, because paperboard holds by shape, not by absorbing shock. A foam insert or corrugated insert is stronger there. For jewelry and watches, add velvet flocking.
Read nextProducts made with die-cut paperboard insert
These are the products whose pages list die-cut paperboard insert as a material that suits them. Across these products, all start at 200 units, with lead times of 10 to 14 business days after proof approval. Each product page states its own.
Also offered in die-cut paperboard insert: die cut paperboard insert, corrugated insert, cupcake box with insert.
Questions about die-cut paperboard insert
What board are die-cut inserts made from?
18, 20 or 24pt SBS with a white or kraft face. 24pt holds its shape better for glass; 18pt is enough for light items and slim slots.
Can I order inserts for a box I already have?
Yes. Die-cut paperboard inserts are produced to fit Tria boxes or one you already use, from 200 units. Send the inside dimensions of the box and the product.
Paperboard or foam insert?
Paperboard for products that need to be held in place: jars, bottles, sets. Foam for heavy or fragile products that need shock absorbed, and for a cavity with no movement at all.
Can the insert be printed?
Yes. It can print to match the box, which is common in mailers where the insert is the first thing seen on opening.
Hold it before you choose
The Swatch Book is a free set of board, wrap and finish samples, so you can feel die-cut paperboard insert next to the alternatives before you decide. Name the materials you are weighing in the request. When you are ready, send the size and quantity for a quote and a dieline, usually within one business day, with a complimentary digital proof on every order.