Many brands focus on creating attractive individual lip balm packaging. However, when several products need to be displayed together in a store or presented as a collection, another challenge appears: how to create a lip balm display packaging structure that looks good while keeping every product stable.
We often receive inquiries from customers who have already developed their individual lip balm tubes but still need a display box or display tray for multiple products. They may need space for 12 tubes, 24 tubes, or several different product variations.
In many cases, the customer knows they need a display box, but does not yet know what type of structure would work best. They may not have decided whether the tubes should stand upright or lie horizontally. They may also be unsure how to keep the products in place without covering too much of the packaging design.
For these projects, we usually start by looking at the product dimensions, the number of units, and the intended display environment. We then prepare several possible structures for the customer to evaluate.
Two display structures we have worked on are an upright tray display and a T-shaped display for horizontally placed tubes. Although both are designed to hold multiple lip balm tubes, the structural considerations are different.
Two Display Packaging Structures We Commonly Develop for Lip Balm Tubes
1. Upright Tray Display: Keeping Small Tubes Stable and Visible
An upright tray is one of the more straightforward options as lip balm display packaging. The products are placed vertically into individual holes, with the number of holes customized according to the quantity required.
For example, a tray may be designed for 12 tubes or 24 tubes. The exact arrangement depends on the product size and the space available for display.
Small lip balm tubes are usually lightweight and relatively short. Because of this, the support position needs to be considered carefully.
Finding the Right Support Position
If the holding point is too low, the tube may not remain stable. During handling or display, some products may tilt or move out of position.
On the other hand, if the holding point is too high, the support structure may cover an important part of the tube design. The product may also look shorter because less of the printed surface is visible.
This is especially important when the tube itself carries the main branding or product information. A display structure should hold the product securely, but it should not hide the design that the brand has spent time developing.
Our Solution: A Two-Layer Support Structure
Instead of using a single-layer insert, we developed a two-layer paper support structure for one of these projects.
The lower layer works as a lifting base. It raises the product slightly so that more of the tube can be seen above the tray.
The upper layer provides the actual fixing point. It holds each tube in position and helps prevent it from leaning to one side.
This two-layer structure gives us more flexibility than a single support layer. The height of the product and the fixing position can be considered separately, making it easier to achieve a cleaner presentation.
The main purpose is not simply to make the holes tighter. It is to find a suitable support position that provides:
Better stability;
More visible packaging design;
A cleaner overall display;
Less risk of the tubes tilting during handling.
For small products, a relatively small change in support height can affect the appearance of the whole display. That is why we normally test the structure with the actual tube dimensions before finalizing the design.
2. Trapezoidal Display Box: Creating a Stable Sloped Presentation
Another lip balm display packaging structure we have worked on is a trapezoidal display box, where the lip balm tubes are placed horizontally.
The box has a sloped structure, allowing the products to sit at a slight angle rather than lying completely flat. This creates a more layered presentation and makes it easier for customers to see the individual tube designs.
However, the slope cannot be decided only by looking at the appearance of the display. The products also need to stay in place during handling and display.
Controlling the Slope and Slot Depth
For a trapezoidal display box, the slope angle and the slot depth are important factors.
If the slope is too steep, the lip balm tubes may slide downward. This can make the products look uneven and may cause them to move out of their intended positions.
If the slot is too shallow, the tube may not be held securely enough. It could move when the display is handled or when a customer takes one product out.
However, making the slot deeper is not always the answer. If the slot is too deep, it may cover too much of the tube design. The product may be held securely, but the visible effect may not be as good.
Therefore, the slope and slot depth need to be adjusted together according to the product size, weight, and outer diameter.
Creating the Right Balance Between Stability and Display Effect
The goal is not simply to fix the product in place.
The display structure also needs to show enough of the packaging design and make the products easy to identify. If the support is too large, too high, or too deep, it may become the most noticeable part of the display instead of the product itself.
For this reason, we consider several details at the same time:
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Whether the tube can remain stable;
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Whether the slope is suitable for the product;
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Whether the slot is deep enough to hold the tube;
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Whether the support covers too much of the printed design;
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Whether the overall display still looks balanced.
This is where the practical side of custom paper tube display packaging becomes important. A lip balm display packaging structure may look simple, but the details need to be adjusted around the actual product.
What Should Brands Consider Before Customizing Lip Balm Display Packaging?
When a customer is not sure which display structure to choose, several basic questions can help narrow down the options.
1. Product Size and Weight
The tube diameter, height, and weight all affect the structure.
For small lip balm tubes, the support point, hole size, and slot depth need to be carefully considered. A structure that works for a taller or heavier cosmetic tube may not be suitable for a short lip balm tube.
2. Display Purpose
The intended display environment also affects the design.
A display for a retail shelf may need to focus on product visibility and easy identification. A countertop display may place more emphasis on presentation and how the products look from the front.
If the packaging is part of a lip balm packaging set, the structure may also need to create a more complete presentation for several products together.
3. Product Quantity
The number of products affects the overall layout.
A 12-piece display and a 24-piece display may require different arrangements, depending on the available space and the number of product variations.
The structure should also leave enough room for customers to see and remove the products without disturbing the rest of the display.
4. Packaging Design Visibility
The support structure should not cover the most important parts of the tube design.
This includes the brand name, product name, color information, and other details that customers may need to see quickly.
For this reason, the support height and slot depth should be evaluated together with the printed design, rather than considered separately.
5. Stability During Handling and Transport
A display box may look good when it is placed on a table, but it also needs to remain practical during handling and transport.
The products should not move too easily inside the structure. At the same time, the support should not be so tight that removing the products becomes difficult.
Testing the actual product inside the display structure is therefore an important part of the customization process.
Final Thoughts
A successful lip balm display packaging solution is not only about creating an attractive outer structure. It also requires an understanding of the product size, display environment, quantity, and the way the tubes need to be held.
An upright tray may be suitable when the products need to stand vertically, while a T-shaped structure may work better for a horizontal presentation. In both cases, small structural details can have a noticeable effect on the final result.
The support height, slot depth, and slope angle all need to be considered carefully. The purpose is to keep the products stable while still showing enough of the packaging design.
For brands developing custom lip balm packaging, the best display solution is not always the most complicated one. It is the structure that fits the product, works for the intended display environment, and presents the packaging clearly.
