How to Design Your Own Printable Box Templates: 2025 Guide

Your packaging is more than just a container, it is the first impression your product makes. Make it count. Wondering how boxes are made from a single sheet of paper? There comes a box template a pre-designed layout showing exactly where to cut, fold, and glue.

Whether you are creating product packaging or designing gift boxes, the templates are the starting point to bring creativity and structure together in a fun and hands-on way. Even if you are a beginner or pro, the packaging design templates make the entire process faster and easier.

Above all, three ways to help you get a packaging template are:

1. Finding a pre-made template
2. Hiring a professional graphic designer
3. DIY

It all depends on your packaging requirements, the customization you need, and the budget.

Let's delve into available resources to design and print box templates and turn flat paper into 3D magic.

What is a Box Template?

The box does not shape itself. It's technically the result of a precise 2D sketch drawn to form its structure. This names a box template that defines the pre-assembled structure of the box.

Simply, the box template is a flat and 2D layout that shows all the sides of a 3D box in one connected piece. Fold lines and tabs are out there. The lines are cut out and folded to create the intended box shape.

Why Packaging Design Templates Matter in Product Packaging?

There are several reasons behind creating packaging templates. They streamline the design process and save time and money. You don't need to start from scratch for every new project. They are good when you want:

• Consistent branding
• Design accuracy and efficiency
• Cost-effective templates
• Speed up the design process
• Print-ready files

Top 3 Best Box Template Design Tools for Beginners

A box template generator can help you get a box design according to your requirements. You can easily download these templates in a digital format (such as PDF or editable file formats) and then print them on appropriate materials like cardstock.

The ready-made box templates available on various 3D box design tools platforms include the necessary dimensions, fold lines, and designs to construct the box. To design, there are top three online box design software available. Let’s discuss them one by one.

1. Adobe Illustrator (AI)

Adobe Illustrator is a standard vector design software for designing box templates. It offers precise control over vector shape, alignment, and scaling. This online tool is widely used by professional graphic designers and web designers to create high-quality artwork. It includes many drawing tools that allow you to create illustrations and seamless patterns quickly.

Pricing

The price Adobe Illustrator offers is:
$22.99 per month

However, there is a 7-day free trial to try the full version of Illustrator. You can save more money on buying an annual plan.

2. Pacdora

Pacdora is another online platform that offers a collection of ready-made packaging templates. It caters to businesses and designers who want to create custom packaging solutions without requiring extensive design skills.

This tool provides templates for:

• Cardboard boxes
• Paper bags
• Paper sleeves
• and other packaging types

This online tool allows users to select designs that match their branding or personal style. You can download and print these templates in digital formats such as PDF. After printing, you can assemble it however you want.

Pricing

Pacdora offers three different plans:

• Lite (basic): $14 per month
• Pro: $29 per month
• Business: $99 per month

You can save more dollars when you subscribe to a Yearly plan. Choose your Pacdora plan according to your needs.

3. Die Cut Template

Die Cut Box template specializes in providing pre-designed templates for die-cutting projects. The die-cutting process cuts shapes and designs into materials like paperboard or cardboard.

This online tool offers a wide range of downloadable templates for various applications, including:

• Cards
• Invitations
• Packaging
• Decorations

Users can browse through different categories and styles of templates and then download them in formats compatible with popular design software or as printable files.

This tool is an excellent choice for businesses and designers who want customizable, ready-made product designs.

Pricing

Its price starts at $7.20 for one credit. However, you can subscribe to other plans that suit your needs for multiple purposes.

How to Hire a Professional Packaging Designer?

You spend more time exploring the designed box templates. Many platforms are available online to offer endless packaging design templates to meet your needs. However, when you are stuck with a design and unable to create it, hire a professional designer.

Hunt the best designers through internet research. You can also look for the most experienced designers by sharing a post on social media as “We are Hiring” or “Position Open for Graphic Designer Executive”. Hiring a Skilled Graphic Designer Can Help You

• Save time and get a perfect paper box template.
• Get box templates in the perfect size and shape.

Tip:
Ensure the designer has full command and grip on designing boxes of any shape and size.

When and Where To Find a Skilled Packaging Designer

Finding a professional packaging designer is a small deal. Taking this worry away from you, under the umbrella of highly professional, skilled, and experienced graphic designers, Custom Product Packaging offers free design support. Using creative and innovative ideas, we aim to create error-free and attractive packaging designs that resonate with your brand's persona.

However, suppose you are looking to hire a designer through online resources. In that case, plentiful platforms allow you to discover a graphic designer offering designing services at a reasonable price. Some popular platforms are explained here as:

Upwork

Upwork is a global online platform where freelancers are available. You can find professional designers offering their design services. If you want to hire a skilled designer, explore the category in which you can see the designer's profile, jobs, and ratings. This way, you can hire a graphic designer.

Fiverr

This platform serves as the ultimate online marketplace for freelancers to confidently showcase their skills and offer top-notch services. Sellers offer their services like graphic designing. It can help you find many designers; their fees start at as low as $5. You can view the portfolios and reviews of a profile. Then, hire a designer who comes within your budget and meets your requirements.

Behance

Powered by Adobe, Behance, is a global powerhouse for designers to proudly showcase their work. This enables employers to effortlessly discover and recruit graphic designers with exceptional portfolios. Users can make detailed profiles, share videos of their work, and group their projects in different sets.

Dribbble

Join Dribbble, the thriving online community for designers and freelancers. It helps to showcase creative and design projects. Once you sign up on this platform, you can explore designers and hire any one of them.

DIY Box Templates: Choosing Online Packaging Design Tools

Transforming from 2D to 3D is complicated. But if you have technical knowledge about DIY, you can create your packaging designs yourself. For this, many online tools are available to help you design a box yourself. These tools are:

• Adobe Illustrator
• Boxshot
• Esko
• Canva
• Box Designer 
• Makeabox.io 
• Crowdspring
• Designcrowd

You can choose any of these tools to design your boxes.

Common Box Types and Their Use Cases

Custom boxes come in different shapes and sizes to cater to different needs. They aim to protect your products from various damaging factors. A paper box template crafted in an eye-catching design features several characteristics. So, every box has its applications and uses. Let's discuss some of the popular packaging box templates, their descriptions and uses, and how they are beneficial for a business to establish its unique identity.

Core Ways to Design Your Own Faultless Box Template

The purpose of designing a box is to present the value of your product and brand. Customers perceive the worth of a product by looking at its packaging and designs, which capture their attention at first glance.

Dimensions

Select the template and design it in a way that perfectly fits the customer's point of view and business needs. Check the lines on the box template with measurements. Ensure the template is 100% fine to bring the packaging box to its perfect sizes, shapes, and styles.

Captivating Design

Consider all the design factors to ensure the template is perfect from every aspect.

Material Selection

Choose the most suitable material based on your business needs to carry out all the design elements.

Colors

Pick vibrant colors to catch the eyeballs of onlookers at first glance.

Tip:
You can also get your desired packaging templates quickly by using online design tools.

Remember:
If any fault is neglected, your whole efforts in designing will go to waste.

Let’s Wrap Up The Things

It does not matter what size or shape your product to be housed in the custom box. A collection of box templates allows you to customize them according to your requirements from every angle. You can design a template using an online tool or get the 3D box template by hiring a designer. The ball is in your court. Decide what makes it feasible to get the packaging design templates to match your requirements.

For your convenience, Custom Product Packaging, with a professional team of graphic designers, offers free design support to bring your packaging design idea to paper in the exact design you want. You can consult with us and request a mockup sample by emailing us at orders@customproductpackaging.com. We are here for your help!