Custom Showcase Exhibit Boxes | Trade Show Display | Cubit

Custom Showcase Exhibit Boxes | Trade Show Display | Cubit | Cubit Packaging

Available Finishes

Enhance your Showcase Exhibit with premium finishes that add tactile appeal and visual impact.

Gloss Lamination

Gloss lamination applies a clear, reflective polypropylene film over the entire printed surface. The film intensifies CMYK color values, making photographs and gradients look sharper and more saturated. Retail toy packaging, snack food boxes, and consumer electronics cartons use gloss lam because the shiny surface catches store lighting and draws attention at a distance. The trade-off is that gloss shows fingerprints and scratches more than matte. Film thickness runs 12-25 microns. The protective layer resists moisture, scuffing, and ink rubbing during transit. Gloss lamination runs through thermal or wet laminating equipment after printing and before die-cutting.

+10% price

Matte Lamination

Matte lamination bonds a thin non-reflective polypropylene film to the printed surface of the carton. The film eliminates glare, slightly mutes color saturation, and gives the box a smooth, flat appearance that reads as understated and premium. Matte lam hides minor printing imperfections and fingerprints better than gloss, which is why cosmetics and luxury food brands default to it. The lamination layer also protects against scuffing, moisture, and ink transfer during shipping and shelf handling. Film thickness runs 12-25 microns. Matte lamination pairs well with spot UV, where a glossy accent on a matte background creates high-contrast visual interest on logos and typography.

+10% price

Spot UV

Spot UV applies a clear ultraviolet-cured coating to specific areas of the box rather than the entire surface. The result is a glossy, raised accent on logos, typography, or decorative patterns that contrasts against the surrounding matte or uncoated surface. The UV coating cures instantly under ultraviolet light during production, which creates a hard, durable finish that resists scratching. Raised spot UV adds a thicker coating layer (10-20 microns above the surface) that you can feel with your fingertip. This finish requires a separate printing plate aligned precisely to the artwork, so setup costs are higher than full-surface coatings.

+12% price

Embossing

Embossing uses a matched set of metal dies to push the carton material upward, creating a raised three-dimensional pattern or logo on the surface. The male die presses from behind while the female die shapes the front face. The depth of the emboss depends on material thickness and fiber direction, typically ranging from 0.5mm to 2mm of lift. Deeper embossing works better on thicker board (400gsm+) because the fibers have more room to stretch without cracking. Embossing works without ink or foil for a subtle tone-on-tone texture, or combined with foil stamping for a raised metallic effect. Heat is applied during the process (120-160°C) to help the paperboard fibers hold their new shape permanently.

+15% price

Debossing

Debossing is the reverse of embossing: it presses a design into the carton surface to create a recessed, sunken impression. The male die pushes down from the front while the female die supports from behind. The result is a clean indentation that catches shadows and creates visual depth without adding any material to the surface. Debossing works well for brand logos, decorative borders, and subtle patterns where the tactile quality matters more than visibility from a distance. Like embossing, depth ranges from 0.5mm to 2mm depending on board thickness. Debossing pairs well with matte and soft-touch laminations where the recessed areas create a contrast texture against the smooth surrounding surface.

+15% price

Die Cutting

Die cutting uses a custom-shaped steel blade mounted on a wooden board to cut paperboard into specific shapes during production. Every box shape starts as a flat sheet that passes through a die-cutting press where the steel rule die stamps out the carton blank, score lines, and perforation cuts in a single press cycle. The die is custom-made for each box design, which involves a one-time tooling cost. Die-cut accuracy runs within 0.5mm tolerance on modern flatbed and rotary die cutters. Beyond standard box shapes, die cutting creates custom windows, thumb-cut openings, hang-tab holes, and decorative shapes. Complex dies with many cut lines cost more due to the additional steel rule bending.

+10% price

Foil Stamping

Foil stamping transfers a thin layer of metallic or pigmented foil onto the carton surface using a heated die pressed against the material. The die melts an adhesive layer on the foil, bonding it permanently to the paperboard. Standard colors include gold, silver, copper, and holographic, though custom Pantone-matched foils are available for brand-specific colors. Foil stamping catches light at angles that CMYK printing cannot replicate, which is why luxury brands use it for logos, borders, and key typography. Each foil color requires a separate die and press pass, so multi-color foil increases production cost. Temperature runs 120-175 degrees Celsius depending on material.

+20% price

Soft Touch Lamination

Soft touch lamination applies a specialty matte film that creates a velvety, suede-like texture when you run your fingers over the surface. The tactile effect makes people pick up the box and hold it longer, which is why premium cosmetics, luxury spirits, and high-end electronics brands pay the 30-50% cost premium over standard matte lam. The finish resists fingerprints better than either gloss or standard matte. Soft touch film typically runs 18-30 microns and bonds through thermal lamination. The velvety surface pairs particularly well with foil stamping and raised spot UV, where the metallic or glossy accents pop against the matte tactile background.

+15% price

Hot Stamping

Hot stamping uses a heated metal die to press metallic, pigmented, or holographic foil directly onto the carton surface in a single operation. The die temperature (120-175°C) activates a heat-sensitive adhesive on the back of the foil, bonding it permanently to the paperboard. The process works on both coated and uncoated surfaces. Hot stamping differs from cold foil transfer (which uses UV adhesive and can cover larger areas) in that it produces sharper edges, more consistent metallic coverage, and better durability on small, detailed designs like fine text and thin borders. Common foil types include metallic gold, silver, copper, rose gold, and holographic rainbow.

+18% price

Satin Finish

Satin finish sits between matte and gloss, producing a subtle low-sheen surface with a smooth, silky appearance. The finish reflects light softly without the full reflectivity of gloss or the complete flatness of matte. Satin is achieved through specialty lamination film or through controlled UV curing that stops short of full gloss. The result is an elegant, balanced finish that works with both dark and light color palettes. Satin finish shows fewer fingerprints than gloss while maintaining more color vibrancy than matte. It is commonly used for premium cosmetics, fine jewelry packaging, and corporate presentation boxes where a refined look is needed without being flashy.

+12% price

Linen Texture

Linen texture is an embossed pattern applied to the carton surface that replicates the crosshatch weave of linen fabric. The texture is created during or after lamination using a textured roller or embossing plate that presses the linen pattern into the film or paper surface. The result is a tactile, woven feel that adds visual depth and a handcrafted quality to packaging. Linen texture hides minor scuffs and surface imperfections better than smooth finishes. It works particularly well on wedding invitations, stationery boxes, premium wine packaging, and gift boxes where the fabric texture signals quality and craft. The texture can be combined with foil stamping or debossing for layered visual effects.

+12% price

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Showcase Exhibit box?

A showcase exhibit box is a display-optimized carton designed for trade shows, retail demos, and point-of-purchase presentations. The structure opens to reveal the product in a staged setting, typically with a backdrop panel, a product platform, and side wings that frame the display. When closed, it functions as a standard shipping container. When opened and set up at the event or retail location, it becomes its own display stand. This dual-purpose design eliminates the cost of a separate display fixture and reduces setup time at trade shows from hours to minutes. Construction uses rigid board (1000-1500gsm chipboard) or heavy corrugated to support the product weight and maintain the display shape throughout a multi-day event. Interior inserts, platforms, and product cradles are custom-fitted to specific products. Cubit produces custom showcase exhibit boxes from 50 units.

What materials are available for Showcase Exhibit packaging?

Showcase Exhibit packaging is available in SBS Paperboard, Rigid Board, Metallic Board, Textured Paper. Each material offers different properties for strength, sustainability, and print quality.

What is the minimum order quantity for custom Showcase Exhibit boxes?

Custom Showcase Exhibit boxes start at 100 units with full-color printing, custom sizing, and your choice of materials and finishes. Volume discounts apply for orders of 500+ units.

How long does it take to produce custom Showcase Exhibit packaging?

Standard production for custom Showcase Exhibit boxes is 8-12 business days after artwork approval. Rush production is available in 5-7 business days for an additional fee. Free shipping on all orders within the continental US.

What products are best suited for Showcase Exhibit packaging?

Showcase Exhibit packaging is ideal for Trade Show Displays, Luxury Brand Launches, Museum Gift Shops, Collector Editions, Premium Unboxing Experiences, Award & Trophy Presentation. The structural design and material options make it versatile enough for products ranging from lightweight cosmetics to heavier food items.

Showcase Exhibit

Best For:

Technical Specifications

Available Materials

SBS Paperboard

Rigid Board

Metallic Board

Textured Paper

Available Finishes

Gloss Lamination

Matte Lamination

Spot UV

Embossing

Debossing

Die Cutting

Foil Stamping

Soft Touch Lamination

Hot Stamping

Satin Finish

Linen Texture

Expert Packaging Guide

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Showcase Exhibit box?

What materials are available for Showcase Exhibit packaging?

What is the minimum order quantity for custom Showcase Exhibit boxes?

How long does it take to produce custom Showcase Exhibit packaging?

What products are best suited for Showcase Exhibit packaging?

Other Box Styles

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