Plastic box terminology
The words on our spec tables, defined the way we use them.
- Inside dimensions
- The usable interior of the box: length x width x height measured inside the walls. Every dimension on this site is an inside dimension. Outside dimensions are larger by the wall thickness.
- Hinged box
- A one-piece box where lid and base are joined by a molded living hinge. Nothing to lose, nothing to assemble, and the lid stays with the base when open.
- Unhinged box
- A two-piece box: a base and a separate lid that telescopes over it. The lid comes all the way off, which suits machine loading and open display.
- Base and lid depth
- How a box's total height is divided. A 1" tall box can be 3/4" base + 1/4" lid (product sits low, lid is shallow) or 1/2" + 1/2" (hinges in the middle, opens like a clamshell). The table lists both so you can pick the split that suits the product.
- Flat lid
- A lid with no depth at all: a flat panel closing a base that holds the full height. Listed as "flat" in the lid column.
- Hinged boxes in the larger sizes (5" and up) built with a heavier hinge section and deeper snap for products with more weight.
- Compartment box
- A box with fixed molded dividers creating 2 to 24 separate cells. Keeps assorted parts or sizes apart in one container.
- Round box
- A cylindrical box; dimensions are inside diameter by inside height. Some have a revolving lid that exposes one compartment at a time.
- Tutone
- A clear lid on an opaque colored base. Shows the product while giving the package a solid color.
- Hot stamping
- A logo or text pressed into the plastic with heated foil. Crisp, permanent, single color, well suited to lids.
- Pad printing
- Ink transferred by a silicone pad. Handles fine detail and curved or recessed surfaces better than hot stamping.
- Anti-static (ESD dissipative)
- Polystyrene compounded to bleed off static charge slowly so it does not discharge into sensitive electronics. Pink or clear tint.
- Conductive
- Polystyrene loaded with carbon so the box itself conducts and shields. Black. For the most sensitive electronic components.
- Foam insert
- A foam pad, plain or die-cut to the product outline, that holds and cushions the contents. Standard, anti-static and conductive grades; quoted with the box.
- Polystyrene
- The rigid, glass-clear plastic our stock boxes are molded from. Stiff, dimensionally stable, prints well. Not for impact-heavy applications.
- Case / carton
- How boxes are packed and sold. Case counts vary by size; quotes are by the case.