Custom Rigid Shoe Boxes Made to Your Last and Size Run

Priced per orderQuoted in writing to your size

A shoe-length base of covered greyboard, topped by a loose lid that lifts straight off, cut to the pair you sell rather than a stock carton. Two-tone wraps, a cut-away lid or a ribbon carry handle are all options on request.

Construction: Lift-off lid
Board: Wrapped greyboard
Best for: Trainers, heels, loafers and ankle boots
Delivery: Free and tracked, UK only

Every box is quoted in writing to your size, wrap and finish.

What are rigid shoe boxes?

Rigid shoe boxes are two-piece boxes made from wrapped greyboard: a base that holds the pair and a lid that sits over it by friction. They are far stiffer than the folding cartons most shoes ship in, so they stack without crushing and can be kept for storage. Each run is sized to your shoes in millimetres after a free proof.

A separate lid lifts straight off the base. A slow lift as air lets the lid go.

Common sizes

Footwear	Typical inside size
Children's shoes	about 220 x 140 x 80 mm
Women's flats and loafers	about 290 x 180 x 100 mm
Adult trainers	about 330 x 210 x 120 mm
Ankle boots	about 320 x 220 x 140 mm
Heels with a tall back	about 300 x 190 x 130 mm

Rigid Shoe Boxes specifications

Box	Rigid Shoe Boxes
Range	Fashion and Apparel Boxes
Construction	Two-piece rigid box, lid and base
Closure	Lid sits over the base by friction
Ships	Made up, lids on, nested where the sizes allow
Typical size	About 330 x 210 x 120 mm for an adult trainer
Lid depth	Full-depth or part-depth lid, chosen when you order
Carry handle	Ribbon or cord loops on the short ends as an option
Board	Greyboard core, thickness options on request

Wrap	Printed or plain paper wrap; textured and linen-look papers on request
Printing	Full colour or spot colours on the wrap, inside print on request
Finishes	Soft touch, matt or gloss lamination, foil, emboss, deboss or spot UV, as options
Inserts	Card, foam or satin inserts made to your product, on request
Size	Made to your measurements, worked in millimetres
Quantity	Quoted per order
Proof	Free design proof before anything is made
Production	4–6 business days after proof approval
Delivery	Free tracked UK delivery in 2–3 business days

How rigid shoe boxes are put together

A separate lid lifts straight off the base. Each one is built from five parts:

Lift-off lid
Printed wrap
Greyboard walls
Insert or tissue bed
Lid depth and fit

What makes a rigid shoe box different from a shop carton?

Most shoes leave the factory in a folded carton that crushes at the corners after a few weeks on a stockroom shelf. A rigid shoe box is built from greyboard, wrapped in paper and glued square. It holds its shape under a stack of six or seven boxes.

That matters to brands who sell made-to-order leather shoes, small-batch trainers or bridal heels. A box that bows in the middle tells the buyer something about the shoes before the lid is even off. The box arrives at the customer's door looking the same as it did on your bench, and plenty of buyers keep it to store the pair.

Who orders custom rigid shoe boxes?

Our shoe box buyers tend to be smaller UK labels rather than mass retailers. Each one cares about a different detail.

If shoes are one line among several, the fashion and apparel box range shows matching styles for shirts, scarves and ties.

Bespoke and made-to-order shoemakers who want the box to match the price of the pair
Trainer labels selling limited drops, where the box is part of what collectors keep
Bridal and occasion shoe sellers who need a clean, pale box that photographs well
Children's shoe shops that give the first pair of shoes in a keepsake box

How does the lift-off lid work on a shoe box?

The lid is a separate shallow tray that drops over the base. Friction between the two walls holds it on, so there is no flap, magnet or tab to catch on tissue paper.

You choose how far the lid comes down. A full-depth lid covers the base completely and gives a plain block. A part-depth lid stops about a third of the way down and shows a band of the base wrap, which is how the two-tone burgundy and cream box in our photos gets its look.

One photo shows a pair standing on a box with a leather pull on the end. That end opens as a drawer, which is a different build covered on our sliding drawer boxes page.

What size box fits a pair of adult trainers?

Measure the pair as it will sit in the box: heel to toe on one shoe, the width of both shoes side by side with one turned round, and the height at the tallest point. Trainers with a thick sole or a padded collar often need more height than you expect.

Add about 10 mm to the length and width and 10 to 15 mm to the height for tissue. A common inside size for adult trainers is about 330 x 210 x 120 mm, but a size 12 high-top can need 360 mm or more.

Footwear with buckles or tall heel counters needs extra care, and our rigid box sizing guide in millimetres walks through clearance step by step.

Lay both shoes in the position you want, toe to heel, with tissue and any shoe bags.
Measure the outer length, width and height of that bundle in millimetres.
Add your clearance and send those numbers as the inside size.
If you sell a size run, send the largest and smallest pair and we suggest how many box sizes you need.

Should one box size cover a whole size run?

Usually not. A box sized for a men's 11 lets a women's 4 slide end to end, and the shoes arrive in a heap. Most shoemakers settle on two or three box sizes and group their sizes into them.

This table is a starting point for a unisex trainer range. Your last and sole will change the numbers, so treat it as guidance.

UK sizes	Box	Typical inside size
3 to 6	Small	about 300 x 190 x 110 mm
6.5 to 9	Medium	about 325 x 205 x 115 mm
9.5 to 12	Large	about 350 x 220 x 120 mm

Board, wrap and inside options

The walls are greyboard with thickness options on request. Heavier boots and a large box benefit from the thicker board, because the long sides flex more than a small gift box does.

Outside, the board takes a printed or plain paper wrap, or a textured or linen-look paper. The inside can be left in the wrap colour or lined in a contrast, which is a nice touch when the lid lifts off.

Most shoe brands use tissue rather than a fitted insert. A card insert with two shaped wells is possible for heels that need to stand upright, and a comparison of card, foam and satin inserts explains the trade-offs.

Which print and finishes suit a shoe box?

Shoe boxes live on shelves, so the short end panel matters as much as the lid. Put the size, colourway and style name there in a clear block so your staff can find a pair without opening every box.

Finishes are options: soft touch or matt lamination on dark wraps, gloss for bright colours, foil blocking for a name on the lid, and embossing or debossing for a logo you can feel. Matt lamination helps a black box hide scuffs from handling.

Can a rigid shoe box go straight into the post?

We advise against it. Greyboard copes with the weight, yet the wrapped surface scuffs and collects courier labels when it travels bare. Pack it into a plain brown outer, with paper fill pushed into the gaps at each end.

The carry handle option suits shops, events and click-and-collect, where the customer carries the box away. For posted orders, the handle should fold flat against the end before the box goes into the shipper.

Your order of boxes reaches you with free tracked delivery across the UK, made up with lids on and nested where the sizes allow.

What mistakes do shoe brands make with rigid boxes?

Sizing to one shoe instead of the pair laid toe to heel
Forgetting the shoe bags, which can add 10 mm to every side
Printing the size only on the lid, so stacked boxes have to be pulled out to read
Choosing a pale uncoated wrap for a stockroom box that will be handled daily
Ordering one size for a whole run and filling the gaps with crumpled paper

How do I order custom shoe boxes?

Send your inside sizes, the quantity of each size, and a note on the wrap colour and finish you want. If you are unsure, send the shoe measurements and we work the box sizes out for you.

We reply with a written price and a free design proof showing every panel. You can also place your logo first in Design Your Box on our site and send that with your brief.

Production takes 4–6 business days after you approve the proof. Every order is quoted in writing, and quantities are priced per order rather than from a fixed minimum.

Rigid Shoe Boxes: questions

Do rigid shoe boxes come flat?

No. A lift-off lid shoe box arrives made up, with the lid on the base. If storage space is tight, ask about a collapsible build instead.

Can each box in a shoe size run have a different label?

Yes. The wrap artwork can change per box size, so each size can carry its own size range on the end panel. We show every version on the proof.

Will a rigid shoe box hold knee-high boots?

Yes, if it is sized for them. Tall boots are usually laid flat with the shafts folded or stuffed, which gives a box about 480 x 330 x 120 mm. Send the boot measurements and we suggest a size.

Can I have a window in the lid of a shoe box?

A window is possible on a lift-off lid. It weakens the lid a little, so we suggest it only on smaller boxes such as children's shoes.

What is the difference between a full-depth and part-depth lid on a shoe box?

A full-depth lid covers the whole base. A part-depth lid covers the top part and shows a band of the base wrap, which suits a two-tone design.

Can the shoe box base and lid be different colours?

Yes. The lid and base are wrapped separately, so they can use different papers or prints. The photo with the burgundy base and cream lid is an example.

Can you add a ribbon carry handle to a rigid shoe box?

Yes, as an option. Ribbon or cord loops are fixed through the short ends so the box can be carried from a shop or event.

How many shoe boxes can I stack in a stockroom?

Stack height depends on the board, size and what is inside, so we cannot give a fixed number. Thicker board options help on tall stacks, and we can advise when we quote.

Do you print the shoe size on the box?

We print whatever artwork you supply. Many brands print a blank panel on the end and add a size sticker, which avoids ordering a separate run for each size.

Can the inside of a shoe box be printed?

Yes. The inside of the lid and base can be lined in a plain colour or printed, for example with a short message or a pattern.

What if some shoe boxes arrive damaged?

Send photos of any crushed or misprinted shoe boxes within 10 days, and those boxes are reprinted or refunded. The full terms are on our misprints and refunds page.

Can I order shoe boxes in more than one size on one quote?

Yes. Most shoe orders include two or three sizes, and we price them together on one written quote.

Something else? Call +44 7578 382054, message the box team on WhatsApp or email info@shoprigidboxes.co.uk.