Custom Heart Boxes & Heart Packaging
The heart shape needs no explanation, which is exactly why it works. Valentine's, anniversaries, engagements, Mother's Day, every one of those occasions is communicated before anybody reads a word. It is also genuinely difficult to build well, because curves and paperboard do not naturally agree. We produce a lot of heart packaging at ZEE Packaging and the construction is where the craft sits.
Curves Are Harder Than Corners
A heart box is more complicated to make than a rectangle.
- Board does not curve naturally, so the wrap has to be worked around
- The point at the bottom is where structure is weakest
- The two upper curves need careful scoring to hold shape
- A rigid build holds the curve far better than folding board
- The lid must follow the same curve exactly or it sits wrong
- Wrapping a curved edge cleanly takes real skill
Most disappointing heart packaging we get shown has a wrinkled wrap around the curves.
Seasonal Demand Is Sharp
Timing matters more here than in most categories.
- Valentine's demand concentrates into about three weeks
- Order by early December for a February on shelf date
- Mother's Day is a second peak worth planning for
- Anniversary and engagement demand runs year round
- A reorder mid season will not arrive in time
- We hold your dieline so next year skips setup entirely
- Rigid lid and base the classic heart box
- Shallow chocolate format with a divided insert
- Deep heart box for gifts and multiple items
- Hinged lid version opens like a locket
- Nested set graduated heart sizes
- Window heart box showing contents through a shaped cut
Sizes We Print Regular
Every heart box is built to your contents, though these run often:
- 5" wide for a small favour or single item
- 7" wide for a chocolate selection
- 9" wide for a standard gift
- 11" wide for a larger presentation
- 4" wide for a wedding favour
- A nested set at 6", 8" and 10"
Measure across the widest point rather than the height, since a heart is wider than it is tall.
Board And Finish
- Rigid greyboard 36pt or 48pt with a litho printed wrap
- A wrap chosen for how it behaves around a curve
- Soft touch lamination, which suits romantic gifting well
- Foil stamping in gold, rose gold or red
- Flocked or paperboard insert for chocolates
- Ribbon tie or a satin pull for the lid
Red is worth spending on here. Deep romantic red sits outside comfortable CMYK range, so a spot colour gives you considerably more richness.
Kinder Material Choices
- Recycled greyboard core beneath the wrap
- FSC certified stock, certificate available on request
- Soy based ink through the whole run
- Paperboard chocolate insert rather than plastic vacuum tray
- Aqueous coating in place of plastic lamination
- A heart box people keep for years afterwards
How An Order Progresses Here
- 100 unit minimum, which suits a seasonal run
- Free 3D mockup and flat proof before anything prints
- Free dieline drawn by our own designer
- Physical sample on request, essential on a curved structure
- Urgent turnaround at 5 to 8 business days
- Free shipping worldwide with nothing hidden
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a heart-shaped box?
Rough estimate is $1.60 to $3.80 per unit for a standard rigid format, $2.40 to $5.50 with foil and an insert and $0.90 to $2.20 for a small favour size at moderate quantity. Tooling is a small one off. Shipping is included in our price. This is estimate only, so ask our team for a exact quote.
Is a shaped die expensive?
Less than most people assume, and it is charged once rather than per order. We quote it separately so you can weigh it up.
Will the wrap wrinkle on the curves?
Not when it is done properly. Curved wrapping takes skill and the right paper, which is why we sample shaped work first.
When should we order for Valentine's?
Early December. February demand concentrates sharply and a late order risks missing the season entirely.
Can you do a chocolate insert?
We do, in paperboard or flocked board with a cavity per piece. It keeps the arrangement exactly as you set it.
Why does red print flat?
Deep romantic red sits at the edge of CMYK range. A Pantone spot colour gives you the richness the occasion needs.
Can you do a window?
Yes, cut to follow the heart shape or as a smaller panel. Both work, though a shaped window costs a little more.
