12 design tips for shipping boxes with a ‘wow factor’

A shipping box is really just some cardboard stuck together. It gets your product safely from A to B. But… it’s also the first physical encounter with your brand. And if you’re going to use one anyway, why let that moment go to waste? With clever printing, you can turn a box into more than just packaging. Printing that makes you want to open it. And that sticks in the mind.

At Print.com, we print hundreds of shipping boxes every day. Small, large, understated or eye-catching. We’ve seen thousands of designs come our way. That’s why we’re sharing twelve design tips for shipping boxes that really make an impact. Got your design ready? Then we’ll print it for you. Our team is here to help.

1. Use complementary colours to create contrast

Complementary colours lie directly opposite each other on the colour wheel. It’s a classic design rule, but one that’s still rock-solid. Think of blue and orange, red and green, or purple and yellow. Combinations that are just adjacent to these also create the same sense of contrast. The eye registers contrast more quickly than detail. That’s what makes this approach so effective for shipping boxes. Even in a warehouse full of brown cardboard or on a pallet amongst dozens of other boxes, your box will still stand out. Let alone on a doormat or a table.

It works best if you make one colour dominant and use the other as an accent. Large areas in two garish colours rarely work. The key to clever use lies in balance: a calm base with a strong contrasting colour for the logo, lines or typography. So it’s well thought out – and, above all, not cluttered.

2. Combine matt and gloss

A matt box with glossy accents feels instantly different. It’s not flashy, but it is refined. The beauty lies in the moment the light falls on it. Only then do you discover the detail. That’s what makes this technique so effective for brands that want to convey quality without coming across as overly luxurious.

The basic principle is quite simple. Less is more. Choose a matt finish for the largest surface area. Add glossy elements to this, such as a logo, a subtle pattern or typography. The contrast lies not in colour, but in reflection. This creates a sense of calm and excitement at the same time.

This approach works particularly well with minimalist designs. The simpler the design, the stronger the effect. Too much shine makes it look cluttered and actually undermines the premium feel. Think in terms of accents, not surfaces.

3. Design along the fold lines

Many designs stop at the flat surface. That’s a shame, because a box isn’t a poster. By incorporating fold lines into the design, something special is created. Lines that continue across edges. Typography that falls precisely around a corner. Areas of colour that align with the flap.

4. Work with cropped typography

Typography doesn’t have to stay neatly within the lines. By making a single word or short message extremely large and deliberately cropping it off, you create a sense of tension. The eye wants to complete what it cannot see in full. That makes the design powerful and modern.

This technique works best with very little text. One word, one tagline, one statement. Spread it across several sides of the box. It is only when someone turns or moves the box that the whole message becomes clear.

It is important that the typography is strong enough. A distinctive typeface with sufficient weight works better than a thin font. The choice of colour also plays a part. The result feels like design, not just branding.

5. Choose one clear ‘hero’ side

Not every side needs to attract attention. In fact, it’s better if it doesn’t. By deliberately choosing one side as the ‘hero’ side, you create a sense of calm and focus. Think of the long side that’s visible on pallets or in the parcel delivery driver’s hands.

On that side, you place the story. A large image. A strong typographical message. A bold block of colour. Keep the other sides simpler, using repeating elements, small icons or a subtle logo.

This hierarchy makes the design stronger and easier to read. The eye knows where to look, even from a distance. The same technique is often used in physical shops when designing product displays. You decide what people look at.

6. Choose grid gradients

On corrugated cardboard, super-smooth colour gradients often look less crisp. Minor irregularities in the material can quickly make the gradient look uneven. Halftone gradients solve this problem by building up the gradient using dots, lines or patterns.

The advantage is control. You decide for yourself how coarse or fine the grid is and how much contrast to use. This ensures that the gradient remains legible and technically stable, even on larger surfaces.

Furthermore, a halftone gradient feels more graphic and better suited to print than a smooth digital gradient. It is more in keeping with the character of card and adds depth without becoming fragile.

On corrugated cardboard, super-smooth colour gradients often look less crisp. Minor imperfections make the gradient appear uneven. Halftone gradients solve that problem.

7. Use kraft as a design colour

Kraft cardboard is more than just a base. It’s a deliberate design choice. By leaving large areas unprinted, your box gains a sense of calm, breathing space and character. The eye is automatically drawn to what you do choose to show.

8. Add white to kraft paper

White on brown card creates a sharp contrast. This makes a big difference, particularly with fine details. Thin lines, icons and typography remain legible and clear, even from a distance. The eye picks up white more quickly than colour on kraft paper, precisely because the background looks so natural.

This technique works well for illustrations, icon sets and subtle typographical details. Think of small arrows, symbols or technical information that would otherwise be lost against the cardboard. White adds structure without weighing down the design.

The overall look remains understated and balanced. The white adds a touch of sophistication without detracting from the character of the kraft paper. As a result, the box feels well thought-out, rather than over-decorated.

9. Develop micro-patterns

Micro-patterns may sound complicated, but the idea is simple. They consist of small, repeating shapes that together form a subtle background. Their purpose is not to stand out, but to provide structure and cohesion.

Think of icons, shapes or details that suit what you do. Product elements, tools, initials or abstractions of these. Using them small and in a repetitive pattern creates a rhythm of its own, without the design becoming cluttered.

Use micro-patterns primarily as a supporting element – in the background or across large areas. They add depth and character, whilst the logo and message remain the focal point. This allows you to build brand recognition without it becoming too garish.

10. Add subtle microcopy

Not everything needs to be visible at a glance. Placing small text along the edges, flaps or seams creates a second layer. From a distance, the box looks sleek. Up close, there’s something to discover.

Microcopy can be anything. A short sentence, a playful touch in your tone, or a little message that only appears when you open it. It is precisely that moment that lends itself perfectly to attention to detail.

The effect is personal and unexpected. It’s not intrusive, but it is memorable. And that’s exactly what makes the box more interesting to hold.

Not everything needs to be immediately visible. Placing small texts along edges, flaps or seams creates an element of surprise. From a distance, the box looks sleek. Up close, you discover more.

A short sentence, a wink or a little note makes it personal. That very moment of opening it is perfect for that.

11. Design the labelling area carefully

Shipping labels are simply part and parcel of the process. Otherwise, your parcel would never reach its destination, of course. And that is precisely why they deserve attention in the design. By taking this into account in advance, you can prevent a random label from spoiling the whole look. Instead of improvising, you deliberately set aside a space for it.

This could be a plain, unobtrusive area, a subtle border or a sticker-like section that clearly indicates: this is where the label belongs. That way, it feels like part of the design, not something that’s been stuck on afterwards.

The advantage is peace of mind and consistency. Even with labels, barcodes and tape, the box remains recognisable and neat. Exactly as you intended, right up to the front door.

12. Play with trompe-l’oeil

Trompe-l’oeil. Tromp… what? Yes, exactly that. It’s French for ‘optical illusion’, but don’t let that put you off. The idea is simple: you use a print to suggest something other than what it actually is.

Think of fake tape that appears to be stretched tightly across the box. Stamps that look as if they’ve been applied by hand. Handwritten markings or a vintage waybill look. All carefully designed, but with a casual feel. ‘Designed chaos’, so to speak.

The effect is playful and narrative. The box feels as though it has already been on a journey even before it is opened. This arouses curiosity and lends it character, without the need for any additional text.

Subtlety is key. Choose one style and stick to it consistently. When used well, trompe-l’oeil feels like a clever design choice that surprises, rather than a gimmick that cries out for attention.

Have shipping boxes printed via our ordering app

Great, all those ideas. But they only really work if the final step is right too. At Print.com, we print shipping boxes in all shapes and sizes. And we can do the same for you! Digital printing for flexibility. Screen printing for durability and consistency. Offset for that extra premium feel. Each with its own look, feel and application.

Our team doesn’t just look at how something appears on your screen, but focuses above all on how it looks when printed. On cardboard. In stacks. Under labels. On the move. In people’s homes. We work with you on the choice of materials, the use of colour and the best technical solutions, so that your design continues to work in the real world.

Each product and printing method have different rules so make sure to check out the File Supply guide for the specific product and printing method you’ve chosen. If you’re unsure make sure to contact our knowledgeable crew, and we’d recommend you take advantage of our Special Care service (add this service when placing your order) where one of the file check team will perform a manual check on your files before production.