Store displays boxes for products. They are placed on counters, shelves or floors. They attract attention and simplify the shopping process. However, which material should you choose – cardboard or plastic? They both have their advantages and disadvantages. This guide simplifies it down for you to decide what is the right one to choose for your brand.
What’s a Display Box?
Display boxes are a special type of packaging designed to be used in retail environments. They’re not just standard shipping boxes, they’re designed to be viewed. They carry several items, maintain them in order and represent a mini-ad for your brand.
Common features:
- Have fronts or windows that are open for easy access to product
- Tough, stable material (cardboard or plastic)
- Printed graphics, logos and colors for branding.
- Compact or large size depending on the space.
Boxes that work at checkout counters, endcaps and high-traffic areas. They transform ‘shelf space’ into ‘working selling machines’.
Cards Display Boxes: Environmentally friendly choice!
Cardboard boxes are constructed from paper fibres. They stick to the wall, can be printed and recycled. Most brands are manufactured from corrugated board or from solid board.
Why choose cardboard:
- Ecological — reusable, decomposable and re-used materials
- Lightweight — reduces shipping costs and easier to handle.
- Print Friendly — accepts bold colors, logos and photos
- Cost effective — also less costly for short runs and seasonal promos!
- Cardboard is ideal for short-term promotions, sustainable brands and for indoor retail.
Ideal applications for cardboard displays.
Retail staff at the check-out are an ideal opportunity to suggest impulse purchases.
- Seasonal or holiday offers.
- Brands with a green side (beauty, food, lifestyle).
- Fruits, vegetables, foods, drinks, and similar light items such as cosmetics, snack foods, or accessories.
Brands testing new products or those offering a limited promotion may opt for custom display with low MOQs boxes, allowing them to begin with a manageable investment. There are a number of suppliers that will have MOQs as low as 25–100 units.
For a long-lasting solution, consider plastic display boxes.
Plastic Displays are manufactured using polymers such as PET, PVC or Acrylic. They are simple, robust and reusable. They can endure longer than cardboard in high traffic zones.
Why choose plastic:
- Durable — Impervious to moisture, crushing and wearing
- Reusable — can be washed and used again in other campaigns
- Rotate around the room to ensure a good view of the products —
- Acrylic or PET shows products without windows.
- Long-term value – higher initial costs and lower replacement costs.
Plastic is best suitable for long-term display, humid environment or high-end retail applications.
The following is a list of some of the best uses for plastic displays.
- Long-term stands or endcaps will be used for the floor.
- Humid spaces include kiosks, poolside and bathrooms.
- Products with a high value such as electronic devices or luxury items
- Brands wishing to have reusable and cleanable units
If you intend to keep the same display for 6-12 months or longer then plastic is a good choice.
Both materials have customization options.
Both cardboard and plastic can be customized to fit your brand.
Cardboard customization:
- Full-color CMYK printing
- Matte, gloss or soft touch lamination
- Finishes your design with UV or foiling for a high-end appearance.
- Die-cut windows, handles or special shapes
Plastic customization:
- Clear, frosted or colored acrylic/PET
- Logo screen printing or UV printing logos.
- Unique product fits – molded shapes
- Stackable or interlocking Display designs for Modular
Brands who need a perfect fit and small runs can order their custom display boxes with low MOQs boxes as well in either material. This allows you to test out design, size and finish before scaling up.
Sustainability: Which is greener?
Cardboard is a winner in the eco-impact arena. Recyclable, biodegradable and sometimes utilizing post-consumer waste. The carbon footprint of most cardboard displays is less than plastic.
The green advantages of cardboard:
- Recycle most curbside programs
- Sustainably sourced from trees or recycled paper
- The lighter the weight, the less transport emissions.
- May use soy or water based inks to print
Plastic is more expensive to the environment. Produced from fossil fuels; more difficult to recycle; likely to end up in landfills. A few brands are recyclable plastics or take-back programs, though these are not readily available.
When sustainability is a main consideration, there’s no contest – cardboard is the obvious choice.
Fit in the budget: Cost and ROI
Although it is more expensive in the long run, cardboard is less costly initially. The cost of a basic counter display is $0.50 to $2 per unit, depending on the quantity produced. Plastic has a higher initial price, typically $5-$20 or more per unit, but it will last longer.
Cost tips:
- For test and seasonal campaigns use cardboard.
- Consider using plastic for long-term use and high traffic areas.
- Combine both: cardboard (counters) and plastic (floor stands).
- Buy in bulk to get a discount on the cost per unit.
If you are a small brand or startup, you can get custom boxes with low MOQs so that the cost is minimal and you will not have to overstock. Ideal for sampling new products or special promotions.
How to Choose the Right Material for Your Brand
Consider the following questions:
Checklist:
- For how much time will the display be stored? (weeks vs. months)
- Are there any damp or dry areas?
- Would you like to favor environmentally friendly materials?
- How much are you looking to spend on initial costs vs ongoing expenses?
- Need full color or clarity?
Pair up your answers with the material strengths. Short-term, eco and budget friendly? Go cardboard. Long-lasting, substantial, and high quality? Go plastic.
Final Thoughts
Both cardboard and plastic display boxes can be used. Cardboard can be used for short runs, is eco-friendly, and is light. Plastic items are long-lasting, reusable and suitable for long-term displays. Choose based on your product, budget and brand values.
You can use only one material. Test in actual stores. Monitor sales and feedback. Aim for scaling or switching as necessary. The next big hit could be the stand it’s placed in.
