Custom Tulip Boxes
The tulip closure folds four curved petals inward so they arch over the opening rather than lying flat. It looks like a flower opening in reverse, and it holds shut without glue, tape or a tab. Favors, small gifts and confectionery all suit it. We produce a lot of tulip box work at ZEE Packaging and the closure is what people notice before anything else.
Petals That Arch Over
A tulip box closes with curved folded panels.
- Four petals fold inward and arch across the top
- Each tucks under the next to hold the set
- No glue, tape or tab is needed anywhere
- The closed top forms a soft rounded shape
- It opens by lifting one petal and unwinding
- Recycles as one clean piece with nothing added
Most brands choosing a tulip box want a closure that decorates as much as it fastens.
Curved Folds Need The Right Board
The petals only work on suitable stock.
- A shaped die is needed rather than a straight tuck
- That tooling is charged once, not per order
- Petal curves must match each other exactly
- Heavy board fights the arch and will not sit right
- Too tight a fold and the petals crease badly
- We sample the closure rather than trusting a drawing
- Standard four petal tulip box the everyday build
- Six petal version a fuller, more decorative top
- With a base tuck plain bottom, decorative top
- With an auto lock bottom for heavier contents
- Window version showing product through a die cut
- Tall format for bottles and slim products
Sizes We Print Regular
Every tulip box is built to your product, though these run often:
- 3" x 3" x 5" for a candle or jar
- 2" x 2" x 4" for a small favor
- 4" x 4" x 4" for a cube format
- 3.5" x 3.5" x 7" for a taller product
- 2.5" x 2.5" x 3" for a mini gift
- 5" x 5" x 6" for a gift set
Board And Print
- SBS C1S at 16pt to 20pt, since petals need to curve easily
- Kraft board for a natural or artisan position
- Lighter caliper than a tuck end would need
- Matte, gloss and soft touch lamination
- Foil, spot UV and deboss on the petals
- Food grade certified stock where required
Caliper is the thing to get right. Stiff board will not arch cleanly and the petals stand up rather than curving over, which ruins the look entirely.
Materials Worth Choosing
- Recycled board grades, widely available here
- FSC certified stock, certificate available on request
- Soy based ink through the whole run
- No adhesive or tape at the closure
- Aqueous coating rather than plastic lamination
- Right sizing so no board is wasted per carton
What Ordering Involves Here
- 100 unit minimum, so a small brand can test the shape
- Free 3D mockup and flat proof before anything prints
- Free dieline drawn by our own designer
- Physical sample on request to test the closure
- Urgent turnaround at 5 to 8 business days
- Free shipping worldwide with nothing hidden
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the shaped die expensive?
Less than most people assume, and charged once rather than per order.
Will it stay closed in transit?
For retail handling, yes. For courier shipping we would suggest an outer, since petals can work loose.
How much is a box of tulips?
Rough estimate is $0.28 to $0.80 per unit plain, $0.45 to $1.20 with print and $0.70 to $1.80 with finishing 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.
Which caliper works best?
16pt to 18pt. Heavier board will not arch and the petals stand up instead of curving over.
Can it hold weight?
The top is decorative rather than structural. For weight we would add an auto lock bottom.
How fast does it close?
A couple of seconds once the sequence is learned. Slower than a plain tuck at high volume.
Should the petals be printed?
Definitely. The closed top is what people see first, so the petals carry the design.
