Printing
Inside printing for boxes and mailers
Inside printing puts your brand color, pattern, setup steps or welcome message on the interior walls and lid of your box, turning the moment a customer opens the flap into part of the product experience. It works on mailer boxes, folding cartons, rigid boxes, shipping boxes and paper bags.
Custom dielines · Free 3D mockup before you pay · Free US shipping
- AI-to-print studio includedAI concepts rebuilt onto exact dielines + 3D mockup
- 4–5 day rush specialistsPriority press lanes built for tight launch deadlines
- No die or plate chargesZero setup fees + 10% off your first custom order
- Pantone match guaranteedIf a Pantone color is clearly off, we reprint
What is inside printing?
Standard single-sided packaging prints only the exterior face of the board, leaving the interior plain white or brown kraft. Two-sided (outside + inside) printing runs artwork across the interior dieline panels as well, or lines the inside of a rigid box with printed paper, so logos, care instructions and repeating patterns greet the buyer without needing a separate printed insert card.
How it works
How does inside printing work?
- 01
Pick Outside + inside in your quote
Choose two-sided printing in the quote form so we price both outside-only and outside + inside if you want to compare.
- 02
Lay out the two-sided dieline
We supply an outside and an inside dieline view, making sure lid copy reads right-side up when the box opens.
- 03
Check orientation on your 3D mockup
Before you pay, a 3D mockup shows the open box so you can verify panel orientation, folds and margins.
Is it for you?
When to choose it, and when to skip it
Choose it when
- Subscription boxes, PR kits and DTC mailers designed for memorable unboxing
- Minimalist plain-kraft exteriors paired with a bold flood color or pattern inside
- Printing setup steps, dosing guides or return instructions right inside the lid instead of a loose leaflet
- Gift boxes where raw unprinted gray or brown interior walls would clash with the product
Skip it when
- Tight-budget bulk shipping cartons that never reach end consumers: outside-only 1-color print keeps costs lower
- Direct contact between heavy interior ink coverage and unwrapped food: add tissue paper, butter paper or a food-safe barrier
- Placing tiny text right across interior crease lines where corrugated flutes fold inward
How it works
Request a quote with inside printing
Tell us what you’re packing and how many. The form opens with inside printing ticked. Your dedicated account manager prepares pricing for each quantity.
- 01
Tell us what you’re packing
Pick your box, bag or label, enter a rough size and up to 3 quantities — or drop in an AI design.
- 02
Compare custom pricing
Your dedicated account manager prepares tailored pricing for each quantity tier you picked.
- 03
Dieline & 3D mockup, free
Our studio prepares print-ready artwork on your exact dieline and sends a 3D mockup. Nothing prints until you approve.
- 04
Printed & shipped free
Produced in 10–14 business days (4–5 day rush available) and delivered free to all 50 US states.
Prefer to talk? or see how ordering works.
Compare
Inside printing vs full color (CMYK) printing vs Pantone color printing
| Method | How it works | Suits | Exact brand color? | Plate charges | Quote |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inside printing | Prints both sides of the flat sheet | Subscription mailers and gift unboxing | Works with CMYK or Pantone | None | Get a quote |
| Full color (CMYK) printing | Blends cyan, magenta, yellow and black | Photos, gradients and multi-color art | Close; use Pantone for exact match | None | Get a quote |
| Pantone color printing | Uses pre-mixed ink from a Pantone code | Solid brand colors and 1–2 color logos | Yes, guaranteed match or we reprint | None | Get a quote |
Where it works
Which packaging can have inside printing?
Pick any of these in the quote form. Each button switches the form to that packaging, with the option ticked where the form has it.
- Card / product boxesGet a quote
- Mailer boxesGet a quote
- Rigid boxesGet a quote
- Shipping boxesGet a quote
- Paper bagsGet a quote
Ready to order? See custom printed inside mailer boxes, custom subscription boxes and custom mailer boxes.
Ready to add inside printing?
Send a rough idea: a product, a size and a quantity, and we’ll tailor your quote across up to 3 volume tiers.
Artwork
How to set up your artwork for inside printing
Not sure? Our free artwork check sets it up for you.
- Check lid orientation carefully: on a roll-end tuck-front mailer, inside-lid text flips relative to the outside lid so it reads upright when opened
- Keep headlines and QR codes at least 0.25 in clear of interior fold scores and dust-flap slots
- Leave glue tabs unprinted where panels bond together
- Not sure which way the inside lid faces? Just send your message and pattern, and our designers place it upright on your 3D mockup for free
Cost
Does inside printing cost more?
Inside printing adds cost because both sides of the sheet (or a separate interior liner on rigid boxes) are printed, though there are still no die or plate charges. Ask your account manager to quote both outside-only and outside + inside so you can weigh the difference. Common searches we quote include two sided box printing, custom boxes printed inside and out, unboxing lid print, interior box printing, inside flood coat custom boxes, printed interior lid message, double sided folding carton printing, qr code and instruction print inside box, interior pattern print on mailer and rigid, surprise unboxing interior print, inside and outside dieline setup, two pass interior packaging print, brand story printed inside box lid and when to add inside box printing.
Every quote is free, with tailored pricing for each quantity tier you compare.
Get a quote with inside printingWays to pay less
- 10% off your first order
- We beat a written US competitor quote for the same specs
- No die or plate charges
- A lower unit price at bigger quantities
Why CubitPack
One account manager, from first question to delivery.
- 1-on-1
Dedicated account manager
Work with one packaging specialist from sizing and dielines through proof approval and delivery.
- Free
AI & custom design studio
Bring print-ready files, a rough logo, or an AI-generated box idea — we rebuild every element onto your exact dieline for free.
- 3D
Approve before you pay
Review a high-detail 3D mockup and flat digital proof of every panel, flap and finish before paying a cent.
- 10–14
Business days to deliver
Counted from proof approval and payment, with free shipping across all 50 states. Rush orders ship in 4–5 days.
Our promises, in writing
- Reprint or refund. If we get it wrong, tell us within 14 days with photos and you choose.
- Pantone guaranteed. If a Pantone color is clearly off, we reprint it.
- Damaged in transit. We reprint the damaged units free and handle the carrier claim.
- Cancel free. Any time before you approve your proof, with a full refund.
At a glance
Inside printing at a glance
- Works on
- Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, shipping boxes, paper shopping bags and thank-you / insert cards.
- Best for
- Subscription mailers, gift unboxing, inside-lid instructions and two-tone brand designs.
- Cost
- Inside printing adds cost because both sides of the sheet (or a separate interior liner on rigid boxes) are printed, though there are still no die or plate charges.
- Before you pay
- A digital proof and a 3D mockup
- Account support
- One dedicated account manager from quote to delivery
FAQ
Inside printing: questions
Can I keep the outside plain kraft and print full color only on the inside?
Yes. Many e-commerce brands ship a clean, discreet kraft outside through the mail to deter porch theft and reveal a bright full-color or Pantone interior when opened.
How do I make sure my inside-lid message is not upside down?
You do not have to guess. Our prepress team sets up the inside dieline and sends an interactive or open-box 3D mockup before you pay, confirming that every word reads right-side up.
Can folding cartons and rigid boxes have inside printing too, or only mailers?
All three can. Mailers and folding cartons are printed on the back side of the board, while rigid boxes are lined inside with printed wrap paper.
Are there extra plate charges for printing inside the box?
No. CubitPack charges no die or plate fees even when you print different full-color designs on the outside and the inside.
Can I print just a single solid color inside the box?
Yes. A single solid Pantone flood coat with knocked-out white lettering (on white board) is one of the sharpest, simplest ways to finish a box interior.
Can I request a free digital proof and 3D mockup showing inside printing on my box?
Yes. Every order with inside printing includes free design help, a custom dieline, a 2D digital proof, and a 3D mockup before you pay so you can check placement and finishes.
Are there any die or plate charges when adding inside printing to my custom packaging order?
No. CubitPack charges zero die or printing plate fees on inside printing, and standard US shipping to all 50 states is included in your written quote.
How fast can I get a custom quote comparing unit prices with and without inside printing?
Send your product dimensions and up to three quantity tiers in the quote form, and your dedicated account manager replies in 5–7 minutes, 24/7, with side-by-side pricing.
Can I see inside printing in person inside the CubitPack sample kit or on a physical prototype?
Yes. You can order our physical sample kit (credited to your first order) to feel board and finish swatches, or request a custom pre-production prototype before a full run.
Sources
Sources for this page
- Wikipedia: Unboxing: role of interior packaging presentation and lid graphics in direct-to-consumer unboxing
- Paperboard Packaging Council (PPC) — Two-Sided Carton Printing & Dieline Layout: exterior and interior sheetfed printing passes and glue-flap mask clearance on cartons and mailers
Printing
More printing
Full color (CMYK) printing
Four-color process ink for photos, gradients and colorful artwork.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, shipping boxes, labels and stickers, stand-up pouches, mylar bags, spout pouches, paper bags, poly mailers, inserts, tissue paper, cards and tape.Get a quoteDetails about full color (CMYK) printingPantone color printing
Pre-mixed spot inks matched to your Pantone code, guaranteed.
Card / product boxes, mailer boxes, rigid boxes, shipping boxes, labels and stickers, stand-up pouches, mylar bags, spout pouches, paper bags, poly mailers, inserts, tissue paper, cards and tape.Get a quoteDetails about Pantone color printingWhite ink on kraft
Crisp white ink on brown kraft, alone or under bright colors.
Kraft card / product boxes, kraft mailer boxes, kraft shipping boxes, kraft stand-up pouches, kraft mylar bags, kraft paper shopping bags, kraft inserts, kraft wrapping paper and kraft cards.Get a quoteDetails about white ink on kraft
Get started
Get a price with inside printing.
Bring a rough size, a logo, or an AI concept. One dedicated account manager guides your custom packaging from dieline and 3D proof to delivery.