How we created a custom luxury gift box – protects in transit, wows at unboxing
Gift packaging that represents the brand perfectly and still withstands rough shipping? That’s exactly the box we engineered for honey producer Trudo & Bzukal, who needed packaging that can handle fragile glass in transit and truly impress at unboxing. Here’s the full story from the first concept to version 2.0 that performed even in the most demanding conditions.
Martin Blažo, owner of the honey brand Trudo, has been around bees and honey for 20 years, and this fragrant craft still hasn’t lost its magic for him. He puts everything into his products and wants each one to warm the customer’s heart. We share the same approach – since 1995 we’ve believed that a package is not just a box, but a part of the experience.
Together with Patrik Koval, creator of another honey brand Bzukal, they reached out last year with a request to develop a bespoke gift box that would showcase their unique products, boost sales, and ensure everything arrives in perfect condition.
Brief for the packaging design and client expectations
The brief was clear: create a robust, elegant and precisely engineered package for a set of bee products in glass. Instead of adapting products to standard box sizes, we proposed a custom solution – including an internal fitment that securely holds each item and protects it during transport.
The box also had to feel premium, elevate the unboxing experience, and with a custom print featuring a bee motif, underline the connection to apiculture products.
“We mainly expected the box to reduce risk during shipping, and from a commercial angle to deliver distinctiveness and uniqueness. We naturally expected it to sell better than standard boxes with wood wool – which proved true.” Martin – Trudo | Patrik – Bzukal ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
What did the new packaging need to deliver?
- Protect glass products in transit – even with less careful parcel handling.
- Keep the entire set firmly in place – via a custom-engineered internal fitment for the exact products.
- Replace classic filler with a cleaner solution – no wood wool and no mess.
- Look premium at first touch – through construction, material choice and custom print.
- Enhance the unboxing experience – so the box feels like part of the gift, not just a shipper.
- Support sales of the complete set – increase perceived value and motivate purchase of the full bundle.
How a custom gift box design comes to life
We started developing the packaging for the honey treats in 2024. After the initial inquiry and scoping, we requested samples of all products and passed them to our structural design team.
We created several variants of the internal fitment and tested them until Martin and Patrik approved the final sample, including print.
Custom packaging production in 7 steps
- Initial inquiry and requirement scoping
- Price confirmation and order placement
- Delivery of samples of all products
- Structural design of the box and internal fitment
- Prototyping and practical testing
- Approval of the final sample (including print)
- Slotting into the production schedule
You can explore our full custom manufacturing process here.
Premium effect for less: gold-print imitation on black corrugated board
The premium look is delivered by double-black corrugated board with both exterior and interior digital print. The chosen material – three‑ply kraft microflute (E‑flute) – is sufficiently rigid without feeling bulky.
The artwork was prepared in CMYK with gold tones, achieving a convincing metallic print effect without a major cost increase.
Trudo box 2.0 – evolution after the first sales season
But the story doesn’t end with the first box. The first season brought valuable real‑world feedback and showed where it made sense to reinforce durability and the unboxing experience. The client adjusted the product mix and graphics for Christmas 2025, and we prepared a structural update of the gift box in the proven black board.
We added an inner flap that protects contents during transit, builds anticipation at unboxing, and expands the print area. The slogan on the top flap was again printed in gold tones. For extra shipping resistance, we integrated a square pad of technical foam into the lid.
We adapted the internal fitment to the new set composition and significantly reinforced it by back‑laminating with five‑ply board, giving extra protection on all sides. We simplified the front panel: we removed the carry handle and left room for a clean design; the locking tab that prevents accidental opening remains.
The gift box exceeded expectations – the collaboration continues
We’re delighted that the development of the black gift box turned out great, and the final, glowing feedback was a perfect capstone. See how the box performed during rough shipping in this short video.
“When we considered having our own box, we expected an ordinary carton. What arrived was a piece of craftsmanship that lifted our business to a different, unrivalled level. Working with the Paketo team isn’t just about briefing and delivery – it’s about co‑creation, and the result is a box that doesn’t just sell products but leaves customers with an experience.” Martin – Trudo | Patrik – Bzukal ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
And our collaboration is far from over. Because Paketo focuses on a broad portfolio of corrugated solutions, we’re set up for the future together. We’re already excited about what comes next – for example, a variant with secure fixation for mead bottles.
“We wanted to start straight away with a partner able to produce all packaging materials, so we’re prepared for whatever our business needs and don’t have to source from multiple manufacturers. Even tougher challenges await – getting not only honey jars but also mead bottles into the boxes, etc.” Martin – Trudo | Patrik – Bzukal ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Looking for packaging that elevates your products?
Contact us or send a non‑binding inquiry – we’ll co‑create a piece of packaging craft that meets your functional requirements and wows your customers.