Are White Postal Boxes Better?

The standard corrugated cardboard box is brown. This has a rustic charm and, in a time when sustainability is a concern, it delivers on eco-credentials. Sometimes a brand is looking for a crisp and clean packaging solution. In this case, white shipping boxes have appeal. In this article, we will explore the advantages and disadvantages of white boxes for e-commerce deliveries and subscription boxes.

Do White Boxes Fit your Brand?

White is associated with freshness, purity and hygiene. Does this tie in with your brand identity and product range? When selling consumables, baby products or medical equipment, the use of white boxes can elevate the perception of your products. The white cartons make everything shiny and new and this adds to the excitement of unboxing.

If your brand values are driven by minimising environmental impact, it could be better to stick with brown kraft boxes. Both options are formed from a high percentage of recycled fibres and can be recycled after use. However, consumers associate brown boxes with minimal processes and a natural finish.

Printed Packaging

Brown or white, cardboard has a smooth, plain surface, that is ideal for printing. Printed packaging helps to differentiate your brand and make it familiar. It turns an everyday box into something more exciting, memorable and reusable.

Flexographic is the lowest cost print option for packaging. Once the initial tooling is set, the identical design can be printed time and again as part of the manufacturing process. Flexographic print is limited to two colours, but if white features in your branding, the box itself offers a third colour.

Almost any colour can be printed onto cardboard packaging, but on a brown kraft box, the colour will be slightly altered from a design on a screen. If an exact match is vital for your brand, white boxes deliver a brighter, truer colour.

The contrast between the white background and the printed elements also ensures they stand out. Bolder print adds impact and improves readability. This is especially noticeable if your branding includes subtle tones which can get lost against a brown background.

If you want the type, illustrations or logo to be white, reverse printing offers the solution. This is where white boxes are overprinted with another colour, leaving the chosen design unprinted.

Boxes can be printed externally, internally or both. Your brand may opt for a printed kraft exterior and a white interior. How about a printed design on the outside and a reverse print of the same design inside? So many options!

Why doesn’t Every Brand opt for Bespoke White Boxes?

If white boxes elevate the perception of a brand and add pop to colour, why isn’t every brand ordering them?

Your packaging team may work in a neat, clean area, so the orders leaving your office may look in pristine condition. Unless you are personally delivering the goods, they are then handed over to a courier. You have no control over how they handle it.

With pristine white boxes every mark shows. If it’s had a rough ride on route to the customer, the desired impact may not be achieved. Printing on white cardboard boxes helps to make the odd fingerprint or scuff mark less noticeable.

The other reason is the price. White cardboard offers a premium look and takes longer to process, so the cost of production is slightly higher. As cardboard packaging is a low-cost option, this doesn’t mean it out of budget, but for cost-sensitive businesses, kraft boxes are cheaper.

Seek Advice from Local Packaging Suppliers

Your local packaging supplier should ask about your brand and product range to ensure you get the most suitable packaging for the job.

Tell them how your goods will be sold, stored and transported. With an understanding of requirements, they can offer advice on design, print, storage and ways to reduce unit costs. Some packaging suppliers are happy to send samples along with your quote, which helps inform your decision.

So, are white boxes better? It depends on your brand, products and budget.