I need blank boxes!
February 11, 2006 9:55 PM Subscribe
Where can I get a small number of blank retail software boxes?
I know, it sounds mind-blowingly exciting. But I need to get a hold of a small number of software boxes. You've seen 'em; you browse the aisles at CompUSA or the Apple Store, and there's lot of games and other software titles in small boxes (usually about 5" x 7" x 1.5"). Often they have flaps that open and describe more about the product inside.
I want blank versions of these that I can print on. Most box companies require you to use their printing services and have minimums of 250 or more. I just need about 10 or 15.
Anyone work at a paper company, or know where I can order these? Surely there's some site out there for a designer with a box fetish?
I know, it sounds mind-blowingly exciting. But I need to get a hold of a small number of software boxes. You've seen 'em; you browse the aisles at CompUSA or the Apple Store, and there's lot of games and other software titles in small boxes (usually about 5" x 7" x 1.5"). Often they have flaps that open and describe more about the product inside.
I want blank versions of these that I can print on. Most box companies require you to use their printing services and have minimums of 250 or more. I just need about 10 or 15.
Anyone work at a paper company, or know where I can order these? Surely there's some site out there for a designer with a box fetish?
Couldn't you just spray mount your design to an existing box? Either that, or spray mount it to posterboard and build your own? I guess I don't understand how you plan to print on a blank box... if it's folded and flat it won't run through an inkjet printer, and if it's on a flat sheet you'd need wide format output.
posted by MegoSteve at 10:15 PM on February 11, 2006
posted by MegoSteve at 10:15 PM on February 11, 2006
Best answer: Try contacting one of the box firms you've obviously Googled. I'm sure they'd be willing to print 10-15 wide format ink jet proofs and diecut them.
And what MegoSteve said - blank size for even one out is going to be much larger than most SOHO printers can handle.
posted by nathan_teske at 11:24 PM on February 11, 2006
And what MegoSteve said - blank size for even one out is going to be much larger than most SOHO printers can handle.
posted by nathan_teske at 11:24 PM on February 11, 2006
And yeah, quick math says that flat size on a 5 x 7 x 1.5 bookend is going to be at least 24 x 15.
posted by nathan_teske at 11:46 PM on February 11, 2006
posted by nathan_teske at 11:46 PM on February 11, 2006
24 x 15 ?
with no flap I get:
length: 5"+1.5"+5"+1.5"+3/4" (glue flap) = 13 3/4"
width: 7" + 1.5" + 3/4"(folding flap) + 1.5" +3/4" = 11 1/4"
with a book page type flap add 5" to the length to get 18 3/4"
it still won't fit a regular printer though
posted by caddis at 10:04 AM on February 12, 2006
with no flap I get:
length: 5"+1.5"+5"+1.5"+3/4" (glue flap) = 13 3/4"
width: 7" + 1.5" + 3/4"(folding flap) + 1.5" +3/4" = 11 1/4"
with a book page type flap add 5" to the length to get 18 3/4"
it still won't fit a regular printer though
posted by caddis at 10:04 AM on February 12, 2006
Caddis - for the book page flap you need to add 2X of whatever dimension it's on. That way it can be printed as, say, 4/0 instead of 4/4.
Here's updated math:
Width: .75 + 5 + 1.5625 + 5 + 1.5625 + 5.0625 + 5.0625 = 24.0
Height: 2.25 + 7.0625 + 2.25 = 11.5625 (I was off here)
Width and height are in terms of the unfolded box. All the sixteenths are folding allowances... probably a little generous as I'm not used to thinking in terms of cardboard or fibreboard, just corrugated.
posted by nathan_teske at 11:21 AM on February 12, 2006
Here's updated math:
Width: .75 + 5 + 1.5625 + 5 + 1.5625 + 5.0625 + 5.0625 = 24.0
Height: 2.25 + 7.0625 + 2.25 = 11.5625 (I was off here)
Width and height are in terms of the unfolded box. All the sixteenths are folding allowances... probably a little generous as I'm not used to thinking in terms of cardboard or fibreboard, just corrugated.
posted by nathan_teske at 11:21 AM on February 12, 2006
Maybe you could buy blank DVD boxes, print a front and a back and stick them on and then shrink-wrap. Might produce something more professional looking than home-made boxes.
posted by JamesMessick at 1:07 PM on February 12, 2006
posted by JamesMessick at 1:07 PM on February 12, 2006
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posted by caddis at 10:14 PM on February 11, 2006