Custom Cosmetic Display Boxes & Cosmetic Display Packaging
A display box has a job that a normal carton never has to think about. It ships as a sealed unit, then gets opened, torn along a perforation and left sitting on a counter for weeks. Half of it becomes furniture. We print a lot of cosmetic display packaging at ZEE Packaging and the ones that work are designed for both lives at once.
Two Lives, One Box
The cosmetic display box has to survive freight and then look good on a counter.
- Strong enough to stack on a pallet without the front bowing
- Tear strip or perforation that opens clean every single time
- The remaining tray must sit level and stay rigid once the top comes off
- Header card that stands upright and does not curl
- Product held at an angle so shoppers can read the label
Most failures we see in cosmetic display packaging are the perforation. Too weak and it bursts in transit, too strong and the store staff mangle it opening it up.
- Counter display unit (CDU) the standard cosmetic display box, tear away lid and angled tray
- Tray with header card the header is the whole billboard here
- Shelf ready packaging ships, opens and goes straight on shelf
- Pallet display larger cosmetic display packaging for promo runs
- Tiered or stepped tray good for lipstick and gloss so back row is visible
- Window front display protects product while showing it
Sizes We Run Regularly
Every cosmetic display box is built to your product and your shelf, but these come up constantly:
- 8" x 6" x 4" for lip balm and minis
- 10" x 8" x 5" for lipstick and gloss
- 12" x 8" x 6" for foundation and serum
- 14" x 10" x 6" for mixed cosmetic display box assortments
- 16" x 12" x 8" for a larger counter unit
Send us the product dimensions and how many facings you want across the front. We build the dieline from that.
Board And Strength
This is where cheap cosmetic display packaging falls apart, literally.
- E flute corrugated for light counter units
- B flute when the display carries weight or gets stacked
- Litho laminated corrugated for full color print
- SBS C1S for smaller cosmetic display boxes with light products
- Rigid greyboard for premium counter displays
A glass foundation bottle is heavy. Ten of them in an E flute tray and the base will sag within a day on the counter.
- Keep the brand mark at the top where eye level lands
- One promotional message only, not three
- Print both sides if the display sits on an island counter
- Reinforce the header fold so it stays upright
- Leave room for a price call out if retailers need it
Print And Finish
- Litho lamination for photographic quality on corrugated
- Matte film, it hides handling marks better on a counter unit
- Spot UV over the logo and header
- Foil stamping for prestige and gifting ranges
- Printed interior tray, it shows once the lid comes off
Greener Choices
- Recycled kraft corrugated cosmetic display boxes
- FSC certified board, certificate on request
- Soy based inks
- No lamination version, fully curbside recyclable
- Right sized cosmetic display packaging so you ship less air
How We Work
- 100 unit minimum on any cosmetic display box design
- Free 3D mockup and flat proof
- Free dieline from our inhouse designer
- 5 to 8 business day urgent turnaround
- Free shipping worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of a cosmetic display box?
Rough estimate is $1.10 to $2.60 per unit for E flute corrugated, $1.80 to $4.20 for litho laminated and $3.50 to $8.00 for rigid counter displays at moderate quantity. Size and facing count swing it a lot. Shipping is included in our price. This is estimate only, so ask our team for a exact quote.
How do we stop the perforation tearing in transit?
Perforation pitch is the answer. We adjust the cut to tie ratio so it holds through freight but still opens by hand, and we always test it on the physical sample.
Will the tray hold glass bottles?
On B flute yes, with a die cut insert holding each unit. On E flute we would only put light plastic or lip products.
Can you print the inside of the tray?
Yes and we recommend it. Once the lid comes off the tray interior is on show for the whole promo period.
Do you supply the insert to separate shades?
We do. Divided paperboard inserts keep each shade in its own well and stop the rows collapsing as stock sells down.
How tall can a header card go?
Around 6 to 8 inches is safe on a counter unit. Taller than that and it starts to lean unless we reinforce the fold.
Can you match our carton color exactly on corrugated?
Litho laminated, yes, close match. Direct flexo on kraft shifts more, so for tight brand colors we push toward litho.
