Introduction
Gift packaging has become an increasingly important part of the ecommerce experience. With more and more purchases being made online, the unboxing of a package has taken on greater significance. When a customer receives a gift-wrapped item in the mail, it helps recreate that feeling of anticipation and excitement that comes from traditional gift giving.
Ecommerce companies have responded to this shift by focusing more on their gift packaging and unboxing experience. They want to delight customers with box designs, custom inserts, branded tissue paper, stickers, ribbons, and other decorative elements. The goal is to make the unboxing memorable and shareworthy on social media. Quality gift packaging helps showcase a brand and make customers feel valued.
Beyond aesthetics, gift packaging also serves some important functions. Secure and sturdy boxes prevent damage during shipping. Cushioning like bubble wrap or air pillows protects fragile items. The unboxing experience helps justify the price paid, especially for premium brands. And sustainable packaging aligns with many consumers’ ethical preferences. Ultimately, all of these considerations make gift packaging an integral part of a successful ecommerce operation.
Types of Gift Packaging Boxes
Gift packaging boxes come in different shapes, sizes, and styles to meet a variety of needs. Here are some of the main types of gift boxes used for ecommerce:
Standard Boxes
These are your basic cardboard shipping boxes that can be purchased ready-made. They come in standard sizes like 12x12x12 inches or 8x6x4 inches. Standard boxes are an affordable option suitable for many ecommerce gifts and products. While plain, they can be customized with stickers, wrapping paper, ribbon etc. Common materials for standard boxes include corrugated cardboard and kraft cardboard.
Custom Printed Boxes
For a more stylish look, custom printed boxes allow you to add any graphics, patterns, photos, or text. Rather than a plain brown box, you can brand it or make it festive. Custom boxes are printed specifically to your design. This works well if you have a gift that ties into an existing brand, theme or aesthetic. They can be rigid boxes or folding boxes.
Rigid Boxes
As the name implies, these gift boxes hold their shape with rigid sides that don’t collapse. Typically made from cardboard, wood, plastic or metal, rigid boxes have a sturdy construction so they don’t crush or bend easily. This prevents damage to gifts inside and provides a luxurious unboxing experience. They are ideal for fragile items like wine bottles, vases, and other delicate gifts.
Folding Boxes
Folding gift boxes can flatten for convenient storage and shipping. When it’s time to package the gift, the box simply folds back into shape. Folding boxes save space since they ship flat, reducing warehouse storage and shipping costs for ecommerce. Materials like cardboard, kraft paper, and corrugated paper are commonly used. Folding boxes allow for custom printing while remaining lightweight and affordable.
Materials
Gift packaging boxes come in a variety of materials, each with their own unique properties.
Cardboard
Cardboard is one of the most common and affordable materials used for gift boxes. It’s lightweight yet sturdy, making it ideal for protecting items during shipping. Kraft cardboard made from recycled materials is an eco-friendly option. The natural brown color also allows for easy custom branding. However, plain cardboard boxes can sometimes look cheap compared to more premium packaging.
Kraft
Kraft paper is durable, lightweight, and affordable. It has a distinctive brown color that gives a rustic, natural look. Kraft paper is often made from recycled materials, making it a sustainable choice. It’s versatile enough for simple wrapping or more elaborate gift boxes. The downside is that kraft can crease and tear more easily than some sturdier materials.
Paper
Decorative paper gift wrap comes in many colors, patterns, and textures. Paper allows for unique designs to match any theme or occasion. However, plain paper tends to be less durable than cardboard or fabric. Environmentally-friendly options include recycled paper, biodegradable paper, and paper derived from sustainable forestry practices.
Plastic
Plastic gift boxes offer excellent clarity to showcase product contents. Plastics like PVC and PET are lightweight yet very durable and protective. Clear plastic provides high visibility while colored plastics allow for bold, vibrant designs. On the downside, plastics are less sustainable than natural materials. Look for boxes made from recycled PET to reduce environmental impact.
Fabric
Fabric gift boxes have an elegant, upscale aesthetic. Materials like cotton, felt, velvet, and organza provide a soft, luxurious look and feel. Fabric boxes are lightweight and foldable for storage when not in use. However, fabric tends to be more expensive and delicate compared to paper or cardboard options.
Unboxing Experience
Unboxing a gift can be just as exciting as receiving the gift itself. The unboxing experience is the customer’s first impression of the product, so it’s important for ecommerce brands to make it special.
Quality gift packaging helps reveal the item slowly for a wow effect. Instead of seeing the product right away, the recipient goes through the process of opening the outer shipping box, removing filler and tissue paper, and finally unveiling the gift. This staged reveal builds anticipation and makes the product seem more impressive.
Unique unboxing experiences also add high perceived value to gifts. Even inexpensive items can feel luxurious if packaged in a premium box with ribbons, interior branding, and custom inserts. The packaging makes the customer feel special. Unboxing videos have become popular online because people enjoy watching these moments of surprise and delight.
Ecommerce brands should maximize the unboxing experience with layered reveals, branded tissue paper, congratulatory messaging on interior labels or cards, and customized inserts. The packaging box is just as important as the product inside for making a great first impression and exciting the recipient.
Customization
One of the key benefits of gift packaging is the ability to customize it. This allows brands and individuals to make the unboxing experience more unique, memorable, and tailored to the recipient. There are several customization options to consider:
Branding Options
Gift packaging can be customized with your brand’s logo, colors, fonts, and other design elements. This is a great way to reinforce brand recognition and awareness. Options include printing or embossing your logo directly onto the gift box, using custom branded tissue paper or inserts, and tying everything together with branded ribbons, seals, and stamps. This creates an immersive branded unboxing that delights recipients.
Personalization
For a more personal touch, gift packaging can be customized with the recipient’s name, initials, or a special message. This adds a meaningful personal connection that shows thoughtfulness. Personalization options include foil stamping or embossing the recipient’s name onto the gift box, adding custom inserts with a note, and using customizable hang tags. This helps make the gift extra special.
Custom Inserts
Gift boxes can be filled out with custom inserts like tissue paper, shredded paper, branded cards, and other creative items. This allows you to tailor the unboxing experience with colors, textures, messages, and small extra gifts. Custom inserts make unwrapping each layer a fun surprise. Get creative with different papers, confetti, stickers, bookmarks, and more.
In summary, customization allows gift packaging to become an extension of your brand identity or personal style. With endless options for personalization, branding, and custom inserts