Boxes · Shipping boxes
Shipping boxesCustom shipping
boxes (RSC)
The plain brown workhorse — cheapest reliable way to move product, sized to your freight so you stop paying couriers for empty space.
What an RSC is
The regular slotted carton is the standard shipping box: one piece of corrugated board, four flaps on top and four on the bottom, taped shut. Its genius is efficiency — the design wastes almost no board, which is why it's the cheapest reliable way to move product. If your box gets opened in a stockroom rather than a living room, this is the box.
Specs we build to
| Spec | Standard | When to upgrade |
|---|---|---|
| Board | C-flute corrugated | B-flute for tighter stacking; double-wall for heavy freight |
| Strength | 32 ECT | 44 ECT for loads over ~30 lb or high stacking |
| Surface | Natural kraft brown | White exterior when print contrast matters |
| Plain, or 1–2 color flexo | Rarely worth more on an RSC — see FAQ |
Common sizes
| Size (L × W × D, in) | Typical use |
|---|---|
| 10 × 10 × 10 | General small freight, multi-unit packs |
| 12 × 12 × 8 | Wholesale case packs |
| 16 × 12 × 10 | Mixed-order fulfillment |
| 18 × 18 × 16 | Bulky lightweight goods |
| 24 × 18 × 12 | Large or batched shipments |
The dimensional-weight trap
Couriers don't just charge by what a box weighs — they charge by the space it occupies, using dimensional weight. An inch of unnecessary box in each direction can push a parcel into a higher billing tier on every single shipment, forever. A custom-sized RSC often pays for its own setup cost purely in shipping savings, which is the least glamorous and most reliable argument for custom boxes we know.
Size the box to the product, pick the lightest board that survives the journey, and put the print budget where a customer will actually see it.
RSC or mailer?
If you're weighing this box against a mailer, the short answer: RSC for stockrooms, mailer for customers. The long answer, with a comparison table, is in Mailer box vs. shipping box. Many brands run both — quoted together, they usually cost less than making one box do everything.
Common questions
What's the minimum order for custom shipping boxes?
500 units per size. Plain unprinted RSCs in stock sizes can be bought anywhere in smaller quantities — custom sizing and printing is where the minimum applies, because that's where dies and plates come in.
Should I choose 32 or 44 ECT?
32 ECT handles most parcels up to roughly 30 lb and is the right default. Go to 44 ECT when boxes carry more weight, get stacked high in storage or freight, or ship fragile goods. Upgrading ECT is cheaper than upgrading to double-wall — do that only for genuinely heavy freight.
Is a printed shipping box worth it?
Depends who opens it. For wholesale and restocks, plain brown with a one-color logo is usually the honest answer — it costs little extra and looks professional on a receiving dock. Full-color printing on an RSC rarely pays for itself; if presentation matters, that's a mailer box job.
Can you match a box to my product's weight?
Yes — that's most of what quoting is. Tell us the product and its weight and we'll spec the flute, ECT, and dimensions rather than sell you the heaviest board on the shelf.
Are custom shipping boxes recyclable?
Yes. Corrugated board is curbside-recyclable nearly everywhere, printed or plain, and it's routinely made with high recycled content.
Quote this box
Send the product, rough dimensions, and quantity — we'll reply with one straight price that includes plates, dies, and shipping, plus a cheaper alternative if one exists. Minimum order: 500 units.
Request a quote