Sleeve Box

Custom Sleeve Boxes Wholesale: Printed Box Sleeves and Belly Bands for Skincare

What a sleeve box is

A sleeve box is a printed paperboard band that slides over a product, a tray, or a plain box. The sleeve carries your brand, and the item inside can stay simple. Custom box sleeves are a low cost way to brand stock packaging, since you print only the sleeve. Packaging sleeves also work as a belly band, a narrow sleeve that wraps the middle of a box. Product sleeve packaging suits soap bars, candles, bath bombs, jars, and sets. Sleeve boxes for skincare often wrap around a plain white or kraft box, so one inner box can serve many products. The page for tray and sleeve boxes covers the two-part version with a tray.

Sizes and how to measure

Sleeve size is written as length x width x height, measured around the item it wraps. Measure the box or the product at its widest points, and the sleeve should fit snug without squeezing. A belly band sleeve box is narrower, so measure the width of the band you want. Tell us what the sleeve will wrap, and we suggest a size.

Example sizes (approximate and for reference only; we confirm the exact size before you order):

• Soap bar sleeve: about 4 in x 3 in x 1.5 in
• Jar sleeve: about 3.5 in x 3.5 in x 3 in
• Belly band: about 1.5 in wide around a box
• Bottle box sleeve: about 6 in x 2 in x 2 in

Paperboard, finishes, and options

Folding cartons are made from paperboard, a smooth board that is printed flat, cut, scored, and folded. Thicker board feels firmer and protects heavier products, and thinner board costs less. Boxes arrive flat and ready to assemble, so they take little space to store. Finishes include matte or gloss lamination, soft touch, foil, embossing, and spot gloss. A medium board holds the sleeve shape and slides on easily. A sample kit lets you feel the board and test the fit.

Printing and finishing

Printing can be full color on the outside, with a one color or full color print inside. Keep key text and logos inside the safe area on the dieline, away from folds and glue flaps. We set up the folds and the cut lines on the free dieline, and you approve it before production. Print on the outside, and a plain inside keeps the cost down.

Sleeve boxes for skincare and soap

Skincare and soap brands use a sleeve to brand a plain inner box. You can keep one inner box for the whole range and print a different sleeve for each product, which saves on stock. A sleeve also works as a way to add the ingredient list, the scent name, or a seasonal design. Foil on the logo and a matte coating give a finished look.

Belly band versus full sleeve

A belly band covers only the middle of a box or a bundle, so it uses less board and costs less. A full sleeve covers more of the box and carries more print. Choose a belly band for a light, simple look, and a full sleeve for more branding. Tell us the item, and we recommend a size.

Labeling notes

Product boxes often carry text such as ingredients, net contents, directions, and warnings, and what is required depends on your product and your market. You supply all text and the layout, and we print what you send. We do not write or check text or claims, and you are responsible for making sure your boxes meet the rules for your product.

Orders from 50 units

Orders start at 50 units, which suits a new brand, a test batch, or a small giveaway. Larger orders cost less per box, and they can be planned in several sizes and designs. Share your expected yearly volume during the free consultation and we plan around it.

Artwork and dieline

We send a free dieline that shows the box size, the shape, the cut line, and the safe area, so you can see where your artwork goes and where text should stay clear. Supply artwork as a vector AI or PDF file with fonts outlined and images at 300 DPI in CMYK. If you have no artwork yet, free design support and a free consultation are included, and our team can help lay out the logo and the text from your brand colors. You review and approve the artwork before production starts.

How to order custom sleeve boxes

1. Choose your box size, shape, and material.
2. Order a $39 sample kit if you want to feel the stocks and test the fit first. The $39 is credited toward your order total.
3. Send your quantity, starting at 50 units.
4. Receive your free dieline and add your artwork, or ask for help.
5. Review and approve the artwork.
6. Production takes 6 to 8 business days after artwork approval, and your order ships free to one U.S. address.

The final price depends on box style, dimensions, board thickness, quantity, printing, and finishing.

What comes with every order

• Free shipping to one U.S. address
• Free thank-you cards equal to the units ordered
• Free design support, free dieline, and free consultation
• Orders start at 50 units
• Eco-friendly materials sourced from certified suppliers