Which Packaging Format Is Right for You? A Guide to Our Core Products

Choosing the right packaging format can completely change how your product feels when it lands in someone’s hands. It’s not just about fit — it’s about experience, function, and brand impact.

Here’s a breakdown of the key packaging formats we offer at Inke, and how to choose what suits your product and purpose best.

Mailer Boxes

Our most popular and versatile format. Mailer boxes are strong, customisable, and designed to elevate your unboxing experience from the moment they arrive. They work just as well for shipping ecommerce orders as they do for influencer seeding kits, making them a go-to for brands across every industry.

Best for:

• Ecommerce orders
• PR & influencer kits
• Subscription boxes
• Product launches
• Brand welcome packs

Mailer boxes open like a keepsake — with a hinged lid that reveals your product in a clean, structured way. They’re durable enough to be shipped on their own and offer full custom print inside and out. This makes them ideal for storytelling, first impressions, and delivering a premium feel even in smaller quantities.

Whether you're scaling an online store, launching a product, or sending out campaign drops, this format hits the balance between cost-efficiency and brand impact.

Two-Piece Boxes

Two-piece boxes offer a traditional, high-end feel. The separate lid and base make them ideal for gifting, premium retail, and custom campaigns.

Best for:

• Gift-ready sets
• Luxury items
• Campaign or seasonal packaging
• Retail-ready shelf display

They elevate the perception of your product instantly. Often used for beauty, fashion accessories, and product collections that need a tactile, elevated touch.

Folding Cartons

A cost-effective option for lightweight or inner packaging. These are often used when a product is housed inside a satchel or outer box.

Best for:

• Lightweight retail packaging
• Supplements or cosmetics
• Bundled items
• Inner packaging in larger kits

Folding cartons store flat, are quick to assemble, and easy to print. They’re a favourite across D2C and retail brands looking to balance cost, design, and scale.

Sleeves

Product sleeves wrap around your item or base box and are ideal for campaigns, gifting, or seasonal refreshes.

Best for:

• Limited drops
• Product bundles
• Branding updates
• Custom campaigns

Sleeves allow you to refresh existing packaging without starting from scratch. They’re especially useful for running time-sensitive promotions, collaborations, or influencer mailers.

Rigid Boxes

Rigid boxes offer structure, luxury, and presence. They come in multiple formats — from magnetic closures to drawer-style boxes — and are built to elevate your brand.

Best for:

• Luxury items and high-end kits
• Event packaging
• Corporate gifting
• Launch campaigns

Why it works:

Rigid boxes have a premium, substantial feel and are often kept by recipients. They’re built for presentation and presence — an investment in experience that’s ideal for brands wanting to make a lasting impression. Eco-conscious options are also available, depending on materials and finishes.

Beverage & Wine Mailer Boxes

Designed for drinks of all kinds — wine, spirits, mixers or cans — these mailers are secure, stylish, and built for safe delivery at scale.

Best for:

• Wine, cocktails and seltzers
• Subscription drink packs
• Gift boxes
• Launch and tasting kits

They combine functionality (secure inserts, protective structure) with branding impact. Great for ecommerce, gifting, or building standout D2C beverage experiences.

Sample Boxes

Compact, customisable, and made for testing. Sample boxes are the ideal format when you need to trial ideas, test dimensions, or share a preview of what’s coming — without committing to full production.

Best for:

• Checking sizing and structure before rollout
• Trialling design options before final artwork
• Getting internal sign-off or team feedback
• Sending early samples for campaign or product previews

Sample boxes give you space to experiment — whether it’s confirming fit, assessing print detail, or getting something physical in hand for R&D. They let you prototype confidently without wasting material, budget, or time.

So, Which One’s Right for You?

Start by asking:

• What’s the product?
• How should it be experienced?
• Does it need to ship solo or inside another box?
• What’s your design or campaign goal?

Whether you’re creating something tactile and elevated, scaling up ecommerce, or launching a limited campaign, there’s a format to match. Two-piece and rigid boxes offer a premium, high-end feel. Mailer boxes are your go-to for scalable, stylish unboxing experiences. For gifting and drinks, beverage boxes combine both form and function. And when it comes to smaller campaigns or influencer drops, sample kits and sleeves help you deliver big impact in a more efficient run.

Still not sure? We can help you work through materials, sizing, structure and timelines — so you end up with packaging that fits just right.