CARTON MOCKUP
Cardboard mockups in 1:1 – Physical sample of your packaging before production
A digital design shows form and color – but not emotion. A physical carton mockup allows you to label your packaging, test fit and see how your design unfolds in reality. At Exemplar, we produce 1:1 cardboard mockups that match the final product down to the smallest detail – so you can approve, adjust and present with complete confidence.
Why choose a cardboard mockup?
A mockup is not just a model – it is an important tool in the development of professional packaging. You get:
- A mockup is not just a model – it is an important tool in the development of professional packaging.
- Visual presentation: Ideal for photos, presentations, trade shows and customer samples.
- Time and cost savings: Fix errors and optimize the design before printing.
Greater decision-making certainty: You and your team see exactly what you are getting – not just a digital visualization.
Typical applications.
Our carton mockups are used by design agencies, brand managers, marketing teams and manufacturers who want to test, present or validate their packaging designs. Typical situations:
- Design and product approval – test print, colors, flaps and closure.
- Focus groups or test panels – see reactions to the packaging’s expression.
- Photoshoots and promotional materials – realistic boxes without full production.
- Trade show booths and customer meetings – present physical packaging that resembles the final product.
Materials, finishes and details
We produce cardboard mockups using the same materials and techniques used in final production. You can choose between:
- Cardboard and paperboard types: from matte natural cardboard to glossy, coated or recycled cardboard.
- Printing and colors: CMYK, Pantone, white and custom printing.
- Surfaces: matte, glossy, soft touch, UV varnish, foil, embossing.
- Punch and fold: precisely executed with a focus on assembly, closure and functionality.
So you get a real, physical product – not just a visualization.
Realistic and tangible prototype
Exemplar delivers mockups where materials, colors, finishes and prints match the final packaging, so you get a physical sample that can be visually and tactilely tested, adjusted and presented professionally – far more than a regular 3D visualization can offer.
Fast and flexible delivery
You get fast production and delivery of standup pouch mockups – often in just a few days and in the desired quantity, regardless of whether it is a single copy or several for presentation and sales activities.
Risk and cost reduction
With a professional 1:1 test model, you avoid costly errors in production, ensure correct choice of materials/printing and get a strong basis for decision-making - which saves both time and money throughout the entire process from idea to final packaging.
We make carton mockups for all types of grocery products.
We have many years of experience producing mockups for both standard and custom packaging. Some of the most popular types are:
- Advent calendars – often with interior compartments and creative openings, where precision in folding and punching is crucial.
- Chocolate and confectionery boxes – elegant boxes with exclusive finishes and precise color profiles.
- Cardboard carton for 24 frames – robust constructions for beer, energy drinks and specialty drinks where strength and precision are important.
- Gift boxes and limited edition packaging – special editions with foil, embossing or unique formats.
- Cosmetic and care boxes – mockups that highlight the brand’s aesthetics with a luxury finish and a secure fit.
- Food & beverage packaging – e.g. tea boxes, snack boxes, sleeve solutions and product pouches.
- Display cardboard and POS solutions – tabletop displays, shelf talkers and small store displays in cardboard.
- Custom-designed folding solutions – when the packaging requires a customized shape, construction or closure.
Do you have a unique idea? We can recreate almost any cardboard solution as a physical mockup – regardless of size, shape or function.
Print, colors and finish – exactly as in the final packaging
When you order a cardboard mockup from Exemplar, you won’t get a standard white cardboard box.
We use the same materials and printing techniques as the final packaging – so you get a realistic impression of structure, gloss, color fastness and surface.
We can produce mockups with:
Matte or glossy surface – from silky matte to high gloss, depending on the look and product category.
Soft touch lamination – gives a nice, soft feel, ideal for cosmetics and gift boxes.
Spot UV or partial varnishing – highlight logos, patterns or details in the design.
Foil effects – gold, silver or colored metallic finishes that add a premium touch to your packaging.
Embossing or blind printing – creates depth and a tactile experience, perfect for exclusive chocolate and gift boxes.
CMYK printing and Pantone match – we ensure correct color reproduction in relation to your final production basis.
Test print in neutral color – if you primarily want to test construction and shape.
Whether you want to test a sturdy cardboard box for 24 frames or a delicate advent calendar with a foiled logo, we can customize the print and finish so that the mockup reproduces the desired product experience. This means that you can already assess how your packaging will look during the development phase – in the store, in the hand and in the camera lens.
This is how the process works
At Exemplar, we have made the process simple, fast and transparent:
- Dialogue & advice
We review your wishes, purpose and type of packaging. We advise on material, format and finish. - Design & files
You send print-ready files – or we help with setup and adjustment for mockup. - Production
We produce your cardboard mockup in 1:1 – with high precision and short delivery time. - Delivery & Evaluation
You will receive a fully assembled sample, ready for presentation, photography or internal testing.
- Dialogue & advice
The result: a physical, professional mockup that can be used immediately.
Ready to see your cardboard packaging in reality?
Get a physical sample of your packaging – ready to present, test or approve.
Contact us today and let us create a cardboard mockup that shows your design as it really looks.
Almost anything is possible, so it’s a good idea to reach out if you’re unsure about what a mockup can be made of.
Etiket mockups
Realistiske prøver på etiketter, så man kan se design og tryk på selve produktet før produktion.
Doypack mockups
Fysiske poser med svejsninger og form som de færdige doypacks, egnet til præsentation og test.
Dåse mockups
Prøver på drikkedåser eller konserves, typisk i aluminium eller stål, med tryk og udformning som slutproduktet.
POS mockups
Visualisering af point-of-sale materialer som displays eller emballage til salgsmiljøer, tilpasset branding og formål.
Kartonnage mockups
Prøver på kartonemballager som æsker, sleeves eller foldede æsker, med korrekt tryk og materialevalg.
Krympefolie mockups
Prøver, hvor krympefolien sidder tæt om produktet for at simulere slutresultatet, ideelt til test af grafik og pasform.
FAQ
A carton mockup from Exemplar is more than a sample – it is a nearly identical reproduction of the final packaging.
We work with the same material types, printing methods and finishing treatments as in production.
This means that you can assess everything from color fastness, gloss and surface to fold, closure and stability – just as if the product were finished.
This makes the mockup ideal for both presentation, photography and internal quality assurance.
Yes, you can. Many of our customers are still in the development phase when they order their first mockup.
You can send us a sketch, a draft or simply your goals and wishes – and we will help with setup, clean drawing and adaptation of the layout for mockup production.
We know that packaging projects often have tight deadlines – that’s why we produce mockups quickly and efficiently.
Typically, we deliver within 3–5 business days of approved files, but rush delivery is possible if needed.
We ship the mockup fully assembled and ready to use, so you can go straight to the presentation, test or photoshoot without any extra preparation.
The price depends on several factors: format, complexity, choice of material, printing and finishing.
A simple construction test mockup without printing is cheaper than a full-color mockup with foiling and a soft-touch finish.
We always offer a non-binding estimate, so you know the price in advance – and you can easily order a single sample, with no minimum quantity requirement.