Many companies provide gift boxes for their products. Retailers use gift boxes for products sold in the store. Some companies use gift boxes to package products or send promotional items to customers. Saving money on gift boxes is a great way to cut costs and still provide an excellent service. Gift boxes are available in all shapes and sizes to fit most products. If your company wants to use or currently uses gift boxes, learning how to save money can help keep customers coming back without breaking the bank.

There are three ways you can start saving money on gift boxes. Buying small amounts of gift boxes from discount stores can help cut costs. Companies buying large amounts can buy wholesale gift boxes to save money. Locating stores that will match or beat any price can ensure you are receiving the lowest possible price.

1. Locate discount gift boxes.

2. Contact wholesalers of gift boxes.

3. Find companies that will meet or beet any price on gift boxes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Buy discount gift boxes

Discount gift boxes are ideal for companies who are buying small quantities of the boxes. Discount box suppliers buy these products in bulk so that they can supply them to you at cheaper rates.

I recommend: Read about ways to save on almost anything at MSN Money to find tips on buying from discount stores. Find plain and printed gift boxes at Paper Mart. Request a sample of any discount gift box available at U.S. Box.

Find wholesalers of gift boxes

Wholesalers are often the manufacturers themselves and offer the boxes in bulk for considerably lower than retail. You must order a minimum amount of boxes to purchase at the wholesale rate. However, if your business needs a considerable amount of gift boxes, buying wholesale will save you money.

I recommend: Browse the wide selection of wholesale gift boxes at Action Bag. MAC Paper Supply has a vast selection of gift boxes at wholesale prices. Gift Basket Supplies has wholesale gift boxes.

Locate companies that will price match for gift boxes

Price matching is common with many companies that supplies gift boxes. This option will insure that you receive the lowest prices for your boxes. It also allows you to buy multiple product from one supplier with out shopping around.

I recommend: Visit SavingAdvice.com to read information on how price matching works. Scripps TV Station Group has a story on how price matching saves money. Browse the selection of gift boxes, for the lowest price guaranteed at Aplasticbag.com. Visit PackagingSupplies.com for low prices on jewelry and apparel gift boxes.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Many companies will send you samples of gift boxes for you to examine. This allows you to check quality, size and shape before you commit to one supplier.

If your clientele frequently purchases your merchandise as presents, ensure you’re getting the most of their business by selling gift boxes to contain the items. Whether you specialize in a single product or sell a range of objects from apparel to novelty items, your customers will appreciate the added convenience.

Order from a variety of wholesalers or discover new sources through a gift boxes directory to provide your customers with a diverse selection of sizes, designs and styles.

1. Appeal to the majority of your customers by offering standard sizes of gift boxes to hold apparel and other flat items.

2. Find gift boxes in specialty sizes if you sell a variety of items, from jewelry to bulky home décor pieces.

3. Stock printed and unusually shaped gift boxes to make wrapping easier for your customers.

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Offer gift boxes in popular, multi-use sizes like shirt and sweater boxes

Even if you're not a clothing retailer, shirt-sized gift boxes may still be your best sellers since they accommodate items from apparel to books to a collection of small trinkets. Save floor space by stocking two-piece or hinge-lidded boxes that store flat. Customers can assemble them at home as needed.

I recommend: Premier Packaging is a gift boxes provider that offers two-piece apparel boxes in five sizes. Boxes are available in white gloss or natural kraft, in addition to colors like red, green and blue. PackagingSupplies.com offers cardboard apparel boxes in glossy and matte finishes, as well as colors and pinstriped designs. Quantity discounts are available through both sites.

Sell gift boxes in additional sizes to match the types of merchandise you sell

Simplify shopping for your customers by offering gift boxes that make it easy to wrap objects that won't fit inside standard shapes. Evaluate your hottest sellers and market suitable boxes, whether it means stocking tiny ring boxes, narrow tie boxes or reinforced versions for bottles or tableware, for example.

I recommend: Uline is a wholesale gift boxes provider that offers fold-and-tuck boxes to hold items like trinkets, home décor items and stemware. The boxes are available in white, clear or frosted styles. Get boxes for jewelry, stationary, food items and wine bottles from Paper Mart. Click on the photos for sizes, suggested uses and price per case.

Promote decorative gift boxes to help your customers wrap quickly and creatively

If your customers are pressed for time, they'll appreciate a selection of unusual gift boxes that they can simply fill and go. Sell boxes with cool shapes or versions with eye-catching textures, novelty characters or motifs. Consider stocking ribbon, tissue and premade bows, as well, so your customers can turn a visit to your store into a one-stop shopping experience.

I recommend: Nashville Wraps distributes gift boxes in fashion colors and holiday-themed designs in lidded or handle styles. Click on the style for specific gift boxes information and pricing details. Box and Wrap offers novelty boxes like Chinese takeout boxes, gable boxes and collections in coordinating prints. Visit DollarDays to get cases of boxes imprinted with Disney Princesses to appeal to families.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If the majority of your gift boxes come unfolded, display a gift boxes list of assembled samples to help your customers see the packaging dimensions. This will make box selection much easier for your customers.

Gift boxes are a business purchase decision that some businesses have to consider for packaging presale, while other have to think about them for packaging their merchandise for after the transaction has happened. Whatever your motivation, knowing what gift boxes types and styles are available will help you make the purchasing decision that best suits your company's needs.

For those who use gift boxes to sell their merchandise, going with a specialty box such as a clear frosted box, purse style box or gable box may draw your customer's eye better than something simple. On the other hand, a more traditional box may be all you need for customers just needing a gift box to go with their purchase after a sale.

To find out more about gift boxes types and styles:

1. Think about traditional gift boxes for customer needs after the sale.

2. Go with speciality gift boxes to really make your packaging stand out from the crowd.

3. Consider florist gift boxes as another type of gift box style available.

Action Steps
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Take a look at traditional gift boxes

Traditional gift boxes bring the consumer's eye to the item itself and are great for after the purchase. You can easily add your logo to the package or purchase a logo sticker to place on the box if you choose.

I recommend: Check out the selection of traditional gift boxes from buygiftbox.com. They come in kraft natural, gloss white and glass red. Take a look at the value white gift boxes from Nashville Wraps. They are 100% recycled with a white matte finish. Nashville Wraps also sells a large variety of other wonderful gift box types and styles, so be sure and browse their site for other selection options.

Think about jazzing up your gift boxes

Unique or speciality gift boxes can add flair to your item. Simple items that look plain can fly off the shelves if they are packaged right.

I recommend: Check out the speciality gift boxes from Bags & Bows. Their speciality boxes include wine boxes, gift card holders, clear frosted boxes, purse style boxes, jewelry boxes, frosted window boxes, gable boxes, candy boxes, clear top boxes, clear boxes, take out boxes, food services and mores. Take a look at the unique selection of gift boxes from Bayley's Boxes. Be sure and check out their large color selection.

Find floral gift boxes

Purchase floral gift boxes for florists, grocery stores, hospitals and other retailers delving into the floral business.

I recommend: Check out the floral gift boxes from 1-800-GiftBox. They offer one piece gift boxes, two piece floral boxes, one piece floral boxes as well as clear bloom boxes. Uline also sells floral packaging available in a sturdy chipboard. They also have polypropylene floral sleeves to go with your fresh cut flowers as well.

It's amazing how many styles of gift boxes are available on the market. From the simple to the overly ornate, gift boxes come in many shapes and styles to suit any taste. In order to jump into the world of gift boxes, though, you have to familiarize yourself with the language of the industry. Once you know the definitions of the different box styles, you can make an educated decision on which ones will be right for you.

Gift boxes key terms center primarily around the different box style types. Each has its own pros and cons, and giving yourself a basic knowledge about the gift box lexicon will be a firm start to making quality business decisions in their regard. Whether you work in the box making industry, are a box industry distributor or sales person or you are a retailer that needs the box for your clients, whatever the need, knowing more about gift box terminology will help you be better prepared for conversations with customers, with colleagues and with other business relationships.

Action Steps
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Tuck top

Tuck top refers to gift boxes that have a lid that tucks into the front panel of the box.

I recommend: Look at one of the many tuck top gift box styles from PAPER MART.

Pillow box

Pillow boxes close at the two ends and are in the approximate shape of a pillow.

I recommend: Look at pillow boxes and their many uses from Bayley's Boxes.

Gable gift boxes, lunch style boxes

Gable gift boxes, also known as lunch style boxes, look roughly like the shape of a gabled house and come with a handle on the top.

I recommend: Learn how to measure for the right size gable gift box from Box and Wrap.

Slide boxes

Slide boxes come in two pieces, and the box slides out from the cover.

I recommend: Check out what you can do with the slide boxes from Carolyne Roehm.

Hat boxes

Hat boxes are pop-up boxes that can accommodate hats or wreaths. Oftentimes, they are decorated elaborately with colorful fabric or other design work.

I recommend: Look at the variety of selection from Sarah's Hat Boxes.

Reverse tuck end boxes

In reverse tuck end boxes, you tuck opposite ends in opposite directions. They are a self-locking box style that requires no tape or glue.

I recommend: Look at the pros and cons of reverse tuck end boxes from E.B. Box Company.