Packaging Review – How foiling, embossing, and diecutting can enhance your cosmetic packaging

Cosmetic boxes are some of the most creative, eye-catching boxes I see on today’s shelves. I wanted to highlight some here in this review that are either foiled, embossed, or diecut. First, why use these special effects? Well, they look great and add value and perceived quality. They can help make a brand easily found on the shelf. Let’s take a closer look at a few.

Cosmetic boxes using foil

Pat McGrath Labs has a cream blush with a very unique “look”. Their 4” x 1” x 1” straight tuck folded carton is printed in full color with lavender and pink roses in the background. A thin strip of gold foil decorates the top and bottom of the box. The text on the front of the box is gold foiled, and the logo is embossed. The side of the box is a large logo, which is gold foiled and embossed as well. There is a small black label with the name of the shade printed in gold foil on the top of the box. The overall effect and attention to detail is stunning and showcases a premium brand. 

Tatcha is a Japanese skincare company. Their Rice Wash packaging is soothing, with a subtle bamboo background. The auto lock bottom box is 6.75” x 1.75” x 1.75”. The front of the box has minimal text other than the company name printed vertically in gold foil, the name of the product, and volume of the container. The gold foil contrasts nicely with the bamboo background. One side of the box is completely empty – there was no printing. The inside of the box is printed in calming shades of blue with a pattern of long grasses and a small note on the inside of the top lid about Tatcha’s giving back and support of education equality. 

Cosmetic boxes using embossing

Laura Mercier is a well-known cosmetic company. Their straight tuck box is 4 7/8” x 1.5” x 1.5”. Laura Mercier used an 18 pt. C1S cover stock, but interestingly, they printed on the reverse (non-gloss side). This gave the box a matte look, and the non-gloss side gave the box a slightly rougher texture. I loved it, and it really stands out. The text was printed in black ink and the top and bottom, as well as two sides had a light rose background. Laura Mercier also embossed the front and back sides and de-bossed a small rectangle that had the company name inside. The embossing paired with the de-bossing really looked sharp. 

The Herbivore Botanicals Coconut Water Hydrating Face Mist straight tuck box is 5 ¾” x 2 1/8” x 2 1/8”. Herbivore Botanicals used a soft touch coating, which lends a luxurious feel. The front and two sides had very minimal type and the text on these three sides was embossed. The combination of soft touch with the embossing is a great value add. Two of the sides and the top and bottom of the box were printed in a soft, pale pink. There was a short message on the inside top of the box, letting the user know they made a good choice choosing this product. One final thing Herbivore Botanicals did was add a 1” round label to the front of the package that mentioned it was a new formula and a few other features. 

Cosmetic boxes using diecutting

LYS Beauty’s straight tuck box is 4.5” x 1 7/8” x 1 ¾”. The box was printed in black and a dusty rose color. The embellishments include a matte uv, de-bossing of tiny triangles on three sides, and diecutting of small triangles on the same three sides. The inside of the box had a pattern of small triangles printed in the dusty rose ink. Very attractive design and certainly visually appealing.  

Please note that these are products purchased for personal use – this is not a sponsored post.