Telescoping Boxes.

A full telescope lid slides all the way down to the base, while a partial lid stops part way and leaves a band of the base showing. The full version doubles the wall over the whole height, which is the strength build for heavy contents and stacking. The partial version uses less board and gives you a reveal band to design with.

Many designs print the base a contrasting colour so the exposed band becomes part of the look.

Air trapped between the lid and the base escapes gradually as the lid comes down, which gives the slow glide. It only happens when the fit is accurate, at around 1.5mm of clearance per side. A loose lid drops and rattles, and a tight one binds halfway.

Deep lids multiply any error in the die, so we cut telescoping tools to tight tolerance and check the glide on the sample.

Yes, and it's the main practical advantage of the format. The lid rides down until it meets the contents, so a hamper or gift set that varies in height can share one size of box. You avoid cutting a new tool for every variation.

Friction holds the lid wherever it stops, with no tape or glue, and the box can be reopened and closed again as often as needed.

Matte lamination with hot foil is the most common premium dress, and gloss lamination or spot UV suits brighter retail designs. We print CMYK and Pantone on both pieces, and the lid and base can carry different wraps, which is how two-tone reveal band designs are made.

Window patches are available on this format when the contents should be seen, and embossing or debossing works well on a lid top.

Common sizes are 10 x 8 x 4 inches and 14 x 11 x 5 inches, in full or partial telescope. We size the base to your contents first, then add clearance to the lid on every side so it slides over without binding. For a partial lid you also tell us how far down it should drop.

Inserts are cut to the interior of the base, so give us the product sizes and we'll work outward from there.

Telescoping boxes have a 500-unit minimum, counted in complete lid and base sets. Folding telescope builds suit garment boxes at volume, while rigid builds cover gifts and board games. Both scale well past the minimum on the same tooling.

Free dieline and design support come with every quote, and delivery reaches any US address.

Production takes 7 to 10 business days after artwork sign-off, or 5 to 7 when booked as a rush. A sample set is ready in 5 to 7 business days. On a telescope build we'd always recommend one, so you can feel the glide before committing to the run.

The amount paid for the sample is credited when the bulk order goes ahead.

Very durable, which is why board games have used the format for decades of repeated opening. The double wall on the sides takes wear well, and a rigid lid holds its shape through years on a shelf. For freight, corrugated tray pairs give a tape-free shipping case with the same lid-over-base action.

Recycled board is available, and paperboard and corrugated builds recycle with other paper.