Shoe boxes aren't as simple as they used to be. Sure, shoe boxes manufacturers still make basic industrial cardboard shoe boxes. But these days, shoe boxes suppliers are coming up with an increasing number of decorative shoe box ideas and putting an increasing array of options on the market.

So before you begin to buy shoe boxes and search for pricing and costs of shoe boxes, you'll want to figure out exactly what type of shoe boxes you want. Shoe storage can take many forms, but the basics include:

1. Simple cardboard shoe boxes;

2. Clear plastic shoe boxes;

3. And designer and decorative shoe boxes.

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

Compare prices for cardboard shoe boxes

The least expensive way to buy chipboard or cardboard shoe boxes is to purchase by the case. You will generally pay $1 to $2 per box for a cardboard shoe box. Cardboard boot boxes will cost you slightly more than $2 each.

I recommend: To get a good idea of the pricing and costs of shoe boxes, visit Uline Shipping Supplies. The company sells several types of shoe boxes in various sizes. To view options for printed shoe boxes, check out UNI-PAC. From the linked page, use the scroll down menu and click "shoe boxes."

Purchase plastic shoe boxes

Your customers will love plastic shoe boxes, even though they are more expensive than cardboard shoe boxes. These clear shoe boxes are popular because they are durable and foldable. Additionally, they are great for storage, since they have the obvious advantage of displaying the shoes that are inside. Clear plastic shoe boxes will typically cost you $3 or $4 per box, and about $6 per box for larger boxes that can store boots.

I recommend: For more information about clear plastic shoe boxes, check out TheClearShoeBoxes.com. The website gives pricing information and explains some of the advantages of clear shoe boxes. Shoe Stor is a great place to compare pricing for several different sizes of plastic shoe boxes.

Get prices for specialty shoe boxes

Specialty shoe boxes from custom shoe box suppliers can include everything from decorative shoe boxes to keepsake boxes for baby shoes. These boxes can be quite expensive, often costing more $10 per box, but they can give your customers some fabulous choices for unique ways to store special shoes.

I recommend: To get an idea of what a keepsake shoe box can look like, check out Baby Heirlooms. The company offers beautiful boxes for baby shoes. For an example of a sophisticated shoe box, take a look at the Tweed Drop-Front Shoe Box from The Container Store. For a really unique shoe box, check out the vertical shoe packaging from Italy, that's described in an article by Summit Publishing Company.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buying in bulk can save you money when you buy shoe boxes. If the shoe box supplier does not advertise a bulk rate, ask anyway. One may be available.

Most shoe manufacturers place their shoes in shoe boxes to protect their products during shipping and to help with displaying the shoes. The way a shoe is presented to the customer says a lot about the shoe manufacturer. The box tells the customer if the company is up with the latest styles or if the company is more conventional. The shoe boxes you choose to hold your products in affect your company's sales.

There are three different choices when choosing a shoe box: traditional cardboard, custom designed and clear plastic shoe boxes. Traditional cardboard shoe boxes are cheap and you have to print stickers to place on the boxes to indicate the shoe's style, bar code and size. Custom designed boxes are a little more expensive but are printed to match your specific design. The most expensive shoe boxes are made from clear plastic. These boxes are used widely in the women's and girl's fashion shoe lines.

1. Save money with stock cardboard shoe boxes.

2. Design your own look with custom designed shoe boxes.

3. Clear plastic shoe boxes provide the product with unique, reusable packaging.

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

Buy traditional cardboard shoe boxes

Cardboard shoe box suppliers and manufacturers keep traditional shoe boxes in stock for companies that want to cut costs on their products' overhead. Cardboard shoe boxes cost much less than decorative or designer shoe boxes but still give a professional look to the product.

I recommend: Request a quote from Go Packaging to get cardboard shoe boxes that you assemble yourself. Find two-piece cardboard boxes for your company at the U.S. Box website. Uline carries cardboard different sized shoe boxes in both white and brown.

Buy from custom shoe box suppliers

Custom shoe box manufacturers give you the power to select the size, color and layout of your shoe boxes. Custom shoe boxes detail the packaging specifically for your shoe business.

I recommend: Buy shoe boxes that look similar to other name brands at the Young Star Group website. OK China Industrial has wooden custom shoe boxes for high end shoes. Input your dimensions and company logo or design at PackNBoxNow.com for four-color printing.

Purchase clear plastic shoe boxes

Clear plastic shoe boxes allow the customer to view the shoes while the product is still in the box. These shoe boxes are available in drawer-type box or with handles. Clear plastic boxes come in color-tinted varieties for companies that require decorative shoe boxes.

I recommend: The Clear Box Company carries a wide variety of drawer-type clear plastic shoe boxes as well as tinted plastic shoe boxes. Visit Shoebby to find clear plastic shoe boxes with handles designed for easy carrying and shoe storage. Buy basic square shaped clear shoe boxes from HLP Clear Packaging Products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Shoe boxes always need to fit the design of the shoe. Do not put work boots in clear plastic shoe boxes or stiletto heels in a box designed for running shoes.

Proper shoe boxes manufacturing education and training is important for increasing sales. Shoebox distributors want to buy from manufacturers that offer the latest trends and styles. They want manufacturers that are knowledgeable in producing economic footwear packaging as well as decorative shoe box ideas.

Shoebox manufactures must understand how to design durable packaging that withstands stacking. Shoe boxes must hold shoes properly to prevent sliding. Manufacturers should also be educated in logo printing and design for advertisement purposes. When thinking how you gain shoe boxes manufacturing education and training, consider the following:

1. What type of formal education pertains to designing shoe boxes?

2. Are there any regulations placed on manufacturers of shoe storage?

3. What are the latest styles and trends in shoe boxes and shoe storage?

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

Gain a formal education on designing that attracts people to buy shoe boxes

Shoe boxes manufacturers benefit from hiring employees with packaging designing education. Packaging designing courses inform students of various designs. They teach students details of creating appealing and affordable packaging. Learn how to create decorative shoe boxes. Understand the fundamentals of creating industrial cardboard shoe boxes.

I recommend: Check out Sessions for courses in advanced packaging. The Institute of Packaging Professionals offers a range of courses.

Become aware of standards and rules in the shoe boxes manufacturing industry

Educating yourself on the changes, outlook, and regulations of your industry is always a good idea. Read about standards, court rulings, and regulations pertaining to shoebox manufacturing. Learn rules of importing and exporting footwear packaging. Research financial trends and find out information about the most successful shoe box manufacturing companies.

I recommend: ASTM International sets standards for footwear, paper and packaging. FAQs.org offers a letter that discusses the marking of footwear boxes and a court ruling.

Research the latest style and trends of shoe boxes

Shoebox manufacturers must stay up to date with the latest styles. Distributors want manufacturers that are aware of new inventions. Shoe box designers should continuously look for new ideas and improvements for their inventory. Look for new materials uses such as clear shoe boxes, plastic shoe boxes, cardboard shoe boxes, and even acrylic shoe boxes.

I recommend: Earth Times offers an article that discusses the new concept of a clear shoe boxes.GreenBiz describes how one footwear industry company goes green through its shoe and boot packaging.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When considering what you learn about what makes people want to buy shoe boxes, consider researching how the type of shoe affects the shoe box design. Give athletic shoes a more athletic themed box and place designer dress shoes in a more elegant shoe box. Create fun and bright footwear packaging for children's shoes.