To discuss the difference between rigid and tuck boxes, we will be exploring six categories. Which will deliberate the similarities and their individual qualities, to provide reasoning on why one (Tuck or Rigid boxes) will be ideal for your pack of cards.
Your choice of box should not just be limited to this blog, as depending on your artwork, audience, purpose and occasion, the type of box that is best suited to you will vary.
Cost
Tuck boxes are cheaper to buy and produce due to their compact size and how they are printed as a singular sheet with indents for folding. The reason as to why Rigid boxes are by far more expensive is because of the look of quality that they provide. They carry a more professional, high-end look.
Finish
Rigid boxes only have one type of finish - Textured Fine Linen - unlike Tuck boxes which have three options - Gloss, Matte, Soft Touch laminate.
Durability
Due to their structured and hard frame, Rigid boxes are far stronger. They can withstand more weight without losing shape and are harder to damage. Unlike their counterparts, Tuck boxes which can be thinner (the box can be squashed) but can withstand more handheld use due to lamination.
Versatility
Tuck boxes have the benefit of being more versatile, they are smaller and more compact, and you can carry them easily, fit them into your pocket. Unlike Rigid boxes which are larger and bulkier because they are a two-piece box.
Capacity
Rigid boxes are not typical for cards that have a low cards per pack, they are better designed to fit a pack with at least 40 cards and with the optional addition of an information booklet. Tuck boxes are best made for smaller cards per pack of at least 20 cards (but this amount can be exceeded).
Sizes
At Ivory, we offer a variety of sizes for every packaging, which can be decided by the card size and how many cards per pack. Our rigid boxes tend to start at the standard size Poker and increase to even the size of board games. Whereas, our Tuck boxes tend to start at patient and increase until Display size.
But Rigid and Tuck boxes do not have to limited to any of these sizes, instead they can fit any, but they just fit different uses. For example, a board game always comes in a Rigid box rather than a Tuck Box because it fits easier and holds more, while allowing gaps and extra room.
Their individual features
Tuck Boxes
As the standard at Ivory our playing card tuck boxes are printed in CMYK on 395gsm Zanta Box Board (can be altered upon request). We offer three types of lamination to protect the box and its print:
Gloss - A type of finish that provides a shiny covering. Slick, smooth and durable the gloss finish prevents ballpoint pens from marking and keeps it looking brand new.
Matte - All about the feel of silky quality, matte lamination will provide your box with a soft satin feel, perfect to hold.
Soft Touch - Looking for your box to have that extra feel of quality, our Soft Touch has the feeling of velvet and elevates the distinction between a normal lamination and this one.
Rigid Boxes
Rigid boxes are a two-part box that have a base and a lift-off lid. The standard interior is lined with white paper. The exterior of the box is wrapped with your design printed on a white Catalina 125gsm material, which gives the feel of a textured fine linen finish.
There are 24 base colour options for our Catalina material, seen below:
