Kraft Pillow Boxes for Favours, Jewellery and Small Gifts
A soft, curved brown box that closes by pressing in each end. It folds from one flat sheet, needs no glue or tape at the counter, and suits small, light gifts.
Written price from£0.25 a box
What are kraft pillow boxes?
Kraft pillow boxes are curved boxes shaped like a small pillow, with two arched ends that fold in to close. They come flat with one glued seam and pop into shape by hand. People use them for favours, jewellery, gift cards and samples.
- Closure
- Two curved end flaps that press inward along a scored arc
- Board
- Brown kraft folding board
- Arrives
- Flat, glued on one seam, curved into shape by hand
- Extras
- Printed belly band, die-cut window, hang hole, twine hole
Kraft Pillow Boxes Sizes
| Size | Typical inside size | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | 80 × 50 × 25 mm | Favours, earrings |
| Small | 120 × 80 × 30 mm | Gift card, jewellery |
| Medium | 180 × 110 × 40 mm | Socks, soap |
| Large | 250 × 160 × 50 mm | Scarf, small clothing |
Sizes are typical starting points, not stock sizes. Every box is cut to the inside size you send.
Who uses kraft pillow boxes?
Wedding planners, jewellery makers, soap and bath bomb sellers, cafés handing out small treats in a sealed wrapper, and shops giving out gift cards. The shape is friendly and fits easily into a bag or a pocket.
Our photos show plain stacks tied with twine, a box with a black thank-you band, a one-colour moon logo, a full swirl pattern and a printed border frame.
Pillow boxes are also cheap to store and quick to fill. For events and shops that need many small gift packs at once, that matters as much as the look.
Pillow boxes are part of our kraft retail and gift boxes collection.
How does a pillow box close?
Each end of the box is a curved flap scored along an arc. When you press the two arcs inward, one after the other, they lock against each other and hold the box shut.
Nothing tucks into a slot and nothing needs tape. To open, press one end outward with a thumb.
Because the closure relies on the curve, pillow boxes work best for light, flat items rather than anything heavy or tall.
The curve also gives the box its soft look. There are no sharp corners on the face, which is part of why pillow boxes feel friendly as a gift.
What size pillow box fits a gift card?
Pillow box sizes are length × width × the height at the middle of the curve. Measure your item flat and add a few millimetres all round, because the box narrows toward the ends.
Treat the sizes below as typical starting points. We cut every box to your item.
| Typical size | L × W × H at centre (mm) | Often used for |
|---|---|---|
| Mini | About 80 × 50 × 25 | Earrings, a ring, a sweet or two |
| Small | About 120 × 80 × 30 | Gift cards, a bar of soap, a necklace |
| Medium | About 180 × 110 × 40 | A small candle tin, socks, a bath bomb set |
| Large | About 250 × 160 × 50 | A silk scarf, a soft toy, a gift voucher pack |
A gift card is about 86 × 54 mm, so the small size leaves room for a folded note too.
Which board is used for pillow boxes?
Pillow boxes are cut from brown kraft folding board. It bends into a smooth curve without cracking at the score lines, which corrugated cannot do.
Prefer white inside? White-lined kraft can be made on request. The outside stays brown either way.
Our guide to brown and white-lined kraft board shows the difference.
How should I print a kraft pillow box?
The curve means print bends with the board. Logos in the middle of the face stay clear, while designs near the ends curve away.
A one-colour logo, like the moon in our photos, is the most popular choice. An all-over pattern in a darker ink also works because it hides the curve.
- A centred logo on one face
- An all-over swirl or repeat pattern
- A printed border framing a message
- A separate printed belly band that slides over the box
Preview a logo on our photos first with Design Your Box logo preview.
Can I add a window or a hang hole?
Yes. A window cut into one face, open or filmed, can show a bar of soap or a piece of jewellery. A hang hole on one end lets the box hang on a display peg.
Some customers ask for a small hole near one end to thread twine or ribbon through, like the tied stacks in our photos.
Are pillow boxes good for events?
Yes. Weddings, launches, open days and fairs all use pillow boxes because they fold in seconds and look gift-ready with no wrapping. A table of guests can each take one without the boxes being stacked in cartons.
For events, a name and date printed in one colour, or a plain box with a printed band, is the usual choice. A band lets you reuse leftover boxes for the next event.
| Event | Common filling | Finish |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding | Sugared almonds in a wrapper, a small candle | Names and date in one colour |
| Launch or open day | A product sample, a voucher | Logo on the face |
| Birthday | A small toy, a bracelet | Printed band with a message |
| Craft fair | A soap bar, a pair of earrings | Plain kraft with a sticker |
Can pillow boxes be used for samples?
They are a common choice for samples. A sachet, a mini soap or a tester bottle sits flat inside, and the closed box slips easily into an order or a bag.
Print the product name on the face and leave the back plain, or keep the box plain and add a printed sticker for each product. Stickers let one box cover a whole range.
Samples in a pillow box also feel more like a gift than a sachet dropped loose into a parcel.
How do I fold and fill a pillow box?
- Hold the flat box and push the two long edges gently toward each other so it bows open.
- Press one curved end inward until both arcs lock.
- Slide the gift in from the open end, keeping it flat.
- Press the second end inward the same way.
- Add a band, sticker or twine to finish.
Folding gets quicker with practice. A table of favours can be done in an afternoon.
What pillow box mistakes should I avoid?
If your item is heavier or taller, a tuck box may be the safer choice.
- Choosing a size that fits the item flat but not at the narrowed ends
- Filling the box with a tall item that stops the ends locking
- Placing fine text near the ends where the curve hides it
- Using a pillow box for something heavy that should go in a tuck box
Compare our kraft tuck boxes for upright products.
How do I order kraft pillow boxes?
Send the size of the item, how many you need and any print or extras. A photo helps us judge the height at the middle of the curve.
Each pillow box order gets a written price, starting from £0.25 per unit. A free design proof is part of every order, and edits are unlimited.
Once you approve the proof, production takes 4–6 business days. They are posted flat on free tracked UK delivery, arriving in 2–3 business days.
Should pillow boxes land misprinted, damaged or off-size, send photos within 10 days for a reprint or refund.
Send your sizes through our pillow box quote form.
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Questions About Kraft Pillow Boxes
Straight answers from the people who cut and print the boxes. Open any question to read the reply.
Do kraft pillow boxes need glue to close?
No. The curved ends press inward and lock against each other. One seam is glued when we make them, so you only fold by hand.
Can a pillow box hold a bar of soap?
Yes. Measure the bar and choose a box a few millimetres larger. The small size, about 120 × 80 × 30 mm, suits most bars.
Will a pillow box open in a bag?
The locked ends hold well for light items. A belly band or a sticker across one end keeps it shut if the bag gets busy.
Can I print on both faces of a pillow box?
Yes. Each face is a separate panel on the dieline, so the front can carry a logo and the back a short message.
What is a belly band on a pillow box?
It is a printed paper strip that wraps around the middle of the box. It adds a name or message and helps hold the ends shut.
Are pillow boxes good for wedding favours?
Yes. They fold quickly, look soft and handmade, and take a one-colour name and date well.
Can a pillow box have a window?
Yes. A window can be cut into one face, left open or covered with film, so the gift shows through.
How flat do pillow boxes arrive?
Completely flat, with one glued seam. A stack takes very little room until you fold them.
Can I hang a pillow box on a peg?
Yes, with a hang hole cut into one end. Mention it on your request and we add it to the dieline.
What is the smallest pillow box you make?
We cut to your item, so a box for a single ring or pair of earrings is fine. About 80 × 50 × 25 mm is a common mini size.
Can I tie twine around a kraft pillow box?
Yes. Twine sits neatly in the waist of the box. A small hole near one end can take the twine through if you prefer.
Is a pillow box sturdy enough to post?
Pillow boxes are for handing over or for packing inside another box. For posting, place them in a mailer.
Tell us what you ship
Send the product, a rough size and a quantity. We reply in writing within one business day with a price and a free design proof. Prefer to talk? Call +44 7578 382054 or message us on WhatsApp.