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Packaging knowledge center

Long-form, practical guides written by packaging specialists. Everything you need to specify, design and buy packaging with confidence.

Buyer’s guide · 16 min readCustom Packaging: The Complete Guide for BrandsHow custom packaging works from first idea to delivered boxes: styles, materials, printing, finishes, costs, artwork, lead times and ordering mistakes to avoid.
Printing · 12 min readWhat Does Collate Mean When Printing? Collated vs Uncollated ExplainedCollate means printing complete sets in page order (1-2-3, 1-2-3). See collated vs uncollated, when to use each and how to set it in Word, Chrome and more.
Sizing · 12 min readCarton of Cigarettes: How Many Packs, How Big, and What Sets the PriceA carton holds 10 packs (200 cigarettes). See carton and pack sizes, weight, cigarette lengths, and federal and state excise tax per carton for all 50 states.
Design · 13 min readCereal Mascots: 25 Famous Characters and the Packaging Lessons Behind ThemTony the Tiger, Toucan Sam, Lucky, Cap’n Crunch and more: the history of famous cereal mascots and what each teaches about memorable packaging design.
Materials · 11 min readPaper Weight Chart: GSM, Pounds and Points ExplainedConvert paper weights between GSM, bond, text, cover and index pounds, and points. Charts for card stock, paperboard and corrugated, plus which weight to use.
Materials · 11 min readWhat Is Kraft Paper? How It’s Made, Types and UsesWhat kraft paper is, how the kraft process makes it so strong, the main types and weights, how it prints, and whether it is recyclable and food safe.
Materials · 11 min readParchment Paper vs Wax Paper vs Butcher and Freezer PaperParchment is silicone-coated and oven safe; wax paper is not. Compare parchment, wax, butcher and freezer paper for oven, microwave, freezer and air fryer use.
Sizing · 12 min readPlaying Card Dimensions: Card Sizes, Deck Thickness and Box SizesPoker cards are 2.5 × 3.5 in and bridge cards 2.25 × 3.5 in. See every card size, deck thickness, sleeve sizes and the right tuck box dimensions for your deck.
Sizing · 11 min readEnvelope Sizes: The Complete US Chart, Plus USPS Mailing LimitsStandard envelope sizes in inches and mm: #10, #9, A2, A7, 6×9, 9×12, 10×13 and ISO DL/C sizes, what fits each, and USPS letter and flat size rules.
Printing · 11 min readCMYK vs RGB vs Pantone: Color Modes Explained for Print and PackagingRGB is for screens, CMYK for print and Pantone for exact brand colors. Learn the differences, how to convert RGB to CMYK, rich black and color for packaging.
Sizing · 11 min readShoe Box Dimensions: Standard Sizes and How to Size a Custom Shoe BoxTypical shoe box sizes for men’s, women’s, kids’ shoes and boots in inches and cm, how to size a custom shoe box, box styles, materials and shipping costs.
Sizing · 16 min readStandard Box Sizes: The Complete Chart for Shipping, Mailer and Product BoxesCharts of common shipping, mailer, moving, USPS flat rate and retail carton sizes in inches, what fits in each, and when a custom size beats a stock box.
Sizing · 12 min readHow to Measure a Box: Length, Width and Height the Right WayWhich side is length, width and height, inside vs outside dimensions, how to measure mailers, tuck boxes and rigid boxes, and how to order a size that fits.
Buyer’s guide · 11 min readMailer Box vs Shipping Box: Which One Should Your Brand Use?Mailer boxes and shipping boxes (RSCs) compared on structure, strength, print, packing speed, cost per unit and customer experience, with real price examples.
Materials · 11 min readCorrugated vs Cardboard: What Is the Difference (and Why It Matters)?What cardboard really means, how corrugated board, paperboard and chipboard differ in structure, strength, print and price, and how to specify the right one.
Buyer’s guide · 10 min readTypes of Packaging: Every Major Format, Material and Use ExplainedA plain-English map of packaging types: primary, secondary and tertiary levels, boxes, bags, pouches, tubes, bottles, blisters and more, and what each suits.
Small business · 10 min readPackaging Ideas for Small Businesses: 35 Ways to Look Bigger Than You AreBudget-aware packaging ideas for small businesses, Etsy and Shopify sellers: low-cost branding, custom boxes, inserts, unboxing touches and money-saving tips.
Shipping · 10 min readHow to Pack and Ship Fragile Items So They Arrive in One PieceStep-by-step packing for glass, ceramics, candles, cosmetics and electronics: cushioning depths, box-in-box, inserts, sealing, drop testing and carrier claims.
Industry guides · 11 min readCandle Packaging: Box Ideas, Labels and How to Ship Candles SafelyHow to package and ship candles: box styles and sizes for jars and tins, inserts, heat and breakage risks, warning labels, sustainability and branding ideas.
Industry guides · 11 min readCosmetic Packaging: Boxes, Labeling Rules and Design Ideas for Beauty BrandsHow to choose cosmetic and skincare packaging: carton styles, materials, finishes, US labeling basics (FDA, MoCRA), common sizes and sustainable options.
Sustainability · 11 min readBiodegradable vs Compostable vs Recyclable Packaging ExplainedWhat biodegradable, compostable and recyclable really mean for packaging, the US standards behind each (ASTM D6400, FTC Green Guides) and which claim fits.
Buyer’s guide · 16 min readBox Styles Explained: How to Choose the Right Custom BoxA practical comparison of every common box style: mailer, RSC shipper, tuck end, auto-lock, rigid, magnetic, sleeve, pillow, gable, display, window and tube.
Materials · 16 min readPackaging Materials Guide: Corrugated Flutes, Paperboard Points and Rigid BoardUnderstand corrugated flutes and ECT, paperboard caliper (pt), SBS vs kraft vs recycled board, and rigid greyboard, so you can specify packaging like a pro.
Printing · 16 min readPackaging Printing Guide: Methods, Color and ProofingOffset, digital and flexographic printing compared for packaging, plus CMYK vs Pantone, rich black, color matching, proofs and how to avoid color surprises.
Design · 16 min readPackaging Finishes and Embellishments GuideHow foil stamping, embossing, debossing, spot UV, soft-touch, windows and inserts work, what they cost, and how to combine them without overspending.
Pricing · 16 min readHow Much Does Custom Packaging Cost? Prices, Drivers and Ways to SaveRealistic 2026 price ranges for custom mailer, shipping, carton, rigid and pouch packaging, what drives cost, and proven ways to lower your unit price.
Design · 16 min readPackaging Artwork and Dieline Guide: How to Prepare Print-Ready FilesStep-by-step guide to dielines, bleed, safe zones, CMYK, resolution, fonts, barcodes and finishing layers, so your packaging files print exactly as designed.
Shipping · 16 min readBox Sizing and Dimensional Weight: How to Measure, Size and Save on ShippingHow to measure inside vs outside box size, choose clearances, calculate UPS, FedEx and USPS dimensional weight, and right-size boxes to cut shipping costs.
Shipping · 16 min readE-commerce Shipping Packaging Guide: Protection, Testing and UnboxingHow to package e-commerce orders so they arrive intact: board strength, void fill, inserts, drop testing, Amazon FBA prep and branded unboxing on a budget.
Sustainability · 16 min readSustainable Packaging Guide: Better Materials and Honest ClaimsHow to make packaging lower-impact without greenwashing: recyclable paper formats, recycled content, FSC, inks, plastic-free inserts and honest claims.
Compliance · 18 min readUS Packaging Labeling and Compliance GuideWhat US packaging typically must show for food, cosmetics, dietary supplements and hemp/CBD products: net quantity, ingredients, food contact, Prop 65 and more.
Design · 16 min readPackaging Design and Unboxing Guide for Growing BrandsHow to design packaging that sells and gets shared: brand hierarchy, color, typography, the unboxing sequence, inserts and low-cost upgrades that matter.

About our knowledge center

Our guides are written for founders, brand managers, designers and operations teams who want to understand packaging well enough to make confident decisions. Each guide explains the topic from first principles, includes diagrams and worked examples, links to tools you can use immediately and ends with answers to common questions.

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  • Practical: every guide aims to help you make a decision or avoid a mistake.
  • Accurate: we explain how things work, and guides that touch on rules or standards end with links to the official sources.
  • Honest: we explain trade-offs, including when a cheaper option is the better choice.
  • Updated: guides show when they were last updated.

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Who writes these guides?

The CustomPacka packaging team, based on day-to-day work specifying structures, materials, print and finishes.

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