If you are reading this article, you know the importance of the unboxing experience that packaging creates. We created an ultimate guide on corporate gift box packaging that will double the effect of the gift inside.
Below, you’ll find:
- practical tips and creative ideas for corporate gift wrapping
- a variety of gift box options
- average cost breakdown for custom gift boxes
Key takeaways:
– The most popular corporate gift packaging options include branded sleeves, custom craft boxes, classic mailer bags, customized paper bags, branded delivery boxes, and magnetic gift boxes.
– The latest trends in corporate gift box packaging are sustainable packaging, minimalist design, bold statements, custom stickers, and branded inner details.
– To make your corporate gift boxes stand out, add personalization, incorporate modern tech like QR codes and NFC tags, avoid cheap off-the-shelf packaging, and match the style to the occasion.
– On average, the cost for a medium-sized custom box ranges between €4 and €9.
What are the latest trends in corporate gift box packaging?
These are the top 5 trends in custom printed gift boxes that companies are embracing now:
Trend No. 1: Sustainable packaging
Currently, there’s a clear shift toward eco-friendly packaging choices. According to research by Shorr, a packaging vendor, 90% of consumers are more likely to purchase from brands that use sustainable packaging. And corporate gifting is no exception.
Swap plastic for paper-based or biodegradable materials that reduce waste.
Use fillers and accents that are planet-friendly. For example, the Swag42 catalog offers biodegradable, decorative heart-shaped fillers made from cornstarch. They look beautiful, protect gifts against bumps during shipping, and are fully compostable.
Many of our clients love our personalized Thank You grass card, made from paper blended with wildflower seeds, such as daisies and mayweed. These cards can literally grow into flowers, tomatoes, peppers, and more, serving as a lasting and memorable symbol of appreciation.
Trend No. 2: Minimalist designs
Minimalism remains the dominant trend in corporate gift box design. In Swag42, for example, our clients are increasingly opting for sleek, minimalist designs that work well across different audiences.
The most popular packaging choices are solid-color magnetic closure boxes, foldable boxes, or envelope-style packaging with simple elements, like a small logo print, a branded sticker, or a short value-driven company message.
Trend No. 3: Bold statements
Your corporate gift box packaging can be a strong storytelling tool. Many brands are opting for custom-printed gift boxes to make bold statements.
For employee gift packaging, consider printing a company slogan, tagline, or core value directly on the packaging to capture attention and effectively communicate the brand’s purpose.
For client or business partner gifts, customize the box with their business name, values, or celebratory message.
Trend No. 4: Custom stickers
Sometimes, the smallest touches can make the most significant difference. At Swag42, the most popular custom gift box packaging is an eco-box made of thick cardboard, customized with a branded sticker. It’s eco-friendly, flexible, and cost-effective.
To elevate your packaging experience, we recommend adding a sticker with a personalized message, seasonal greeting, or company mascot.
Trend No. 5: Branded inner details
Unboxing is an experience, and brands are paying more attention to what’s inside the box as well. So, beyond the outer packaging, companies now brand tissue paper, packing tape, ribbons, and box liners.
All these details turn the unboxing into a branded moment that recipients will remember and share via social networks.
How to make your corporate gift box packaging stand out?
Here are a few proven ways to make your corporate gift box packaging stand out:
1. Create a memorable gift experience
Encourage recipients to engage with their gift by introducing a fun, interactive twist like requiring them to solve a simple mechanical puzzle to unlock the box, or revealing hidden compartments they can discover as they explore. These playful elements make your gift more memorable and enjoyable.
Puzzle boxes turn unboxing into experience
Send corporate gifts in custom puzzle boxes that force the recipient to solve a simple mechanical problem in order to open the contents within. The packaging becomes an experience and the unboxing moment goes from 10 seconds to several minutes, generating a real experience rather than an instant throwing away. These are intended to be kept around as desk conversation pieces, or even regifted as stand-alone items, which means your packaging will keep circulating and producing brand touchpoints long after the gift itself is eaten or used.
Baris Zeren,
CEO, Bookyourdata
Story box creates meaningful unwrap journey
One smart and unique idea for corporate gift packaging is a “Story Box” design. Instead of using a regular box or bag, the gift is packed inside a box that opens layer by layer — almost like turning pages in a short story. Each layer reveals not just the item but also a message, picture, or symbol that connects to the company’s values or the relationship with the client.
For example, imagine opening the box and the first flap says, “Thank you for being part of our journey.” Then you lift a second layer that shows a creative graphic, maybe a mountain representing growth or teamwork. Finally, at the core, you find the gift itself, wrapped neatly with a finishing note, like “Here’s to our shared success.”
This type of packaging works well because:
It creates surprise and delight — instead of opening a plain box in one second, the receiver is taken on a mini-experience.
It feels personal — the small notes and symbols can be customized for the client, making it much more thoughtful.
It adds storytelling — people love stories, and connecting the packaging to a bigger idea makes the gift feel more meaningful.
Companies can make these boxes from eco-friendly paper or recycled cardboard to keep them sustainable. The layers don’t need to be expensive; they just need to be creative. Even small touches, like adding the client’s name, using colors from their brand, or including a timeline of your partnership, make the box stand out.
In short, the “Story Box” turns a normal gift into a memorable journey. It shows effort, creativity, and care — three things that matter more than the price tag of the gift itself.
Garrett Lehman,
Co-Founder, Gapp Group
2. Add personalization
Go beyond by:
- including a handwritten note or personalized card tailored to the recipient
- adding their name or initials on the box sleeve or ribbon
- using personalized inserts, such as a branded booklet or a story behind the gift
These small details will make your custom gift box packaging experience more memorable.
3. Incorporate modern technology
Add a QR code or NFC tag that links to a personalized thank-you video from your company. Alternatively, they can link to a digital greeting card with festive animations or an online quiz offering prizes to winners.
Gift cards with NFC technology
Instead of sending random gifts most people don’t care about, just give them credit to choose what they want.
Set it up like this: every gift comes with an NFC card. They tap it on their phone, get sent to a gift portal, and pick what they want — fully customized with their name, style, or size. Once they choose, it ships instantly.
No waste, no junk, full personalization.
Victor Hsi,
Founder & Community Manager, PR Package Influencer Gifting Platform
4. Match the style to the occasion
Relevance is the key. Choose a corporate gift box design that reflects both the target audience and the occasion.
For example, opt for sleek, minimalist styles for business milestones like renewing a partnership or closing an important deal.
Opt for bold colors, patterns, and festive accents for seasonal gifts, such as Christmas and New Year celebrations.
5. Avoid cheap, off-the-shelf packaging
Even a great present can be ruined by off-the-shelf packaging that feels impersonal or outdated. Your corporate gift box should carry your brand’s unique identity.
- Use your logo, colors, and other brand elements to complete the package.
- Experiment with premium finishes like embossing or textured papers.
- Create reusable boxes that recipients want to keep, turning your gift package into a long-lasting brand reminder.
Brand upgrade with quality paper packaging
Instead of handing your company-branded corporate gifts such as shirts, mugs, or any other gifts to clients in a plastic bag, presenting these gifts in a company-branded paper shopping bag or cardboard box will only add a little extra cost, but can increase the value of each gift and elevate the entire experience for the receiver.
Wan Ting Tan,
Managing Director, Corporate Gifts Singapore
6. Use sustainable or dual use packaging
Opt for eco-friendly packaging that minimizes waste and adds long-term value. For example, use reusable tote bags, storage boxes, or travel pouches that recipients can repurpose for daily use. You can also consider compostable mailers, recyclable bags, and other sustainable materials.
Sustainable second-life vessel doubles usefulness
I recommend acquiring the “Sustainable Second-Life Vessel.” This approach is a shift from using the traditional disposable wrapper to a quality and functional item that becomes a part of the actual gift.
Simply, the main gift, which is smaller, will be nestled inside the vessel. For instance, a coffee mug inside a tote bag — the mug is the main gift, and the tote bag is the packaging. This increases the overall value of the gift while also lessening the immediate waste, making the packaging useful in the long run.
Jessica Bane,
Director of Business Operations, GoPromotional
Fabric wraps offer dual gift experience
From my work sourcing corporate gifts, one unique packaging idea I’ve seen is reusable fabric wraps instead of single-use boxes. They cut down waste, double as a secondary gift, and create a memorable unboxing experience that sticks with clients and employees.
Assaf Sternberg,
Founder & CEO, Tiroflx
Metal toolboxes become practical keepsakes
One of the top packaging concepts that we’ve utilized for corporate gifts was personalized metal toolboxes rather than boxes or baskets.
We stuffed them with usable things such as multi-tools, tape measures, and regional coffee. It aligned perfectly with our brand and provided recipients with something they could actually use.
They liked it because it acted as a thoughtful gesture that wasn’t the norm. The packaging itself became the gift itself, making it unforgettable long after the products had been used up.
Jeff Matchen,
Owner, Masters Roofing
Customized book box serves multiple functions
A clever packing strategy I suggest to use in the case of corporate gifting is a customized book box that doubles up as a presentation and a souvenir. Instead of the normal wrapping, the gift is put in a hollowed book that is designed with the company branding and explicit message on its cover. This makes the packaging aspect of the gift itself more useful because the recipients can store the book box or have it on a shelf. This strategy helps make the gift unique even after it has been opened.
Mike Bowman,
Technical Product Manager and Director of Digital Marketing, Patio Productions
What’s the average cost for custom corporate gift box packaging?
The cost of custom corporate gift box packaging varies significantly depending on the type (e.g., branded sleeve, craft box, or paper bag), size, and level of customization. A medium-sized custom box typically costs between €4 and €9.
At Swag42, our packaging options are designed to suit different budgets and styles:
- Small (S) packaging: from €0.69 (metallic bag with adhesive strip) up to €3.82 (classic mailer bag).
- Medium (M) packaging: starting from €4.58, with various custom box styles available.
- Large (L) packaging: from €9.79 (branded craft box) up to €29.51 (premium magnetic closure box).
What types of packaging options are available for corporate gift boxes?
The most popular custom gift box packaging options include:
- Branded sleeves
- Custom craft boxes
- Classic mailer bags
- Customized paper bags
- Branded delivery boxes
- Magnetic gift boxes
At Swag42, we believe your packaging should be as thoughtful as the gift itself. It sets the tone, creates anticipation, and leaves a lasting first impression. And, as we know, first impressions matter. 🙂