Pillow boxes are the fastest, flattest gift box to make — no glue required if you tuck the ends. Ideal for gift cards, jewelry, hair accessories, soap, or a few chocolates. Their soft curved profile reads premium for boutique packaging, wedding favors, and Valentine’s treats.
How to assemble
- Cut — Load 65–110 lb cardstock and cut the file. Solid black lines are the cut paths.
- Score — Run the dashed lines as score/fold lines (the separate SCORE layer). Scoring makes crisp folds.
- Fold — Fold every scored line, folding away from the scored side for sharp edges.
- Glue — Glue only the side seam; the curved ends simply tuck in — no glue needed. Let it set before filling.
Cardstock tip: Use 65–110 lb (176–300 gsm) cardstock. 65 lb folds easily for small boxes; 80–110 lb gives larger boxes and lids more structure. Always score before folding.
Decorating & Gift Ideas
The pillow box is the flat, curved-end shape you have seen holding scarves and jewelry in boutiques — slim enough to slip into a card but roomy enough for something special. It is the go-to for gift cards, cash gifts, a folded silk scarf, a pair of earrings, a bracelet, or a few wrapped sweets. Because it lies flat, it is perfect for mailing or tucking into a larger gift bag. Decorate it by running a band of patterned paper around the middle, adding a wax seal, or pressing a small vinyl design onto the front. A thin ribbon threaded through the curved ends and tied off keeps it closed and gives it a finished, gifted look.
File Formats & Compatibility
The pillow box comes as an SVG and a DXF. Use the SVG in Cricut Design Space or Silhouette Designer Edition and the DXF in the free Silhouette Studio or a Glowforge. The curved end flaps depend on a clean fold, so the template keeps the score lines separate — set them to Score and crease firmly so the rounded ends tuck in smoothly instead of cracking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the pillow box need glue?
Only one seam needs a thin line of glue or double-sided tape. Once that is set, the curved ends simply press and tuck closed — no glue required to open and reclose it.
Is it good for gift cards and cash?
Yes. Its slim profile is ideal for gift cards, folded bills, and other flat keepsakes, and it fits inside a standard greeting-card envelope at the smaller sizes.
Why are the ends cracking when I fold them?
That usually means the fold was not scored. Run the score layer first, or crease the curve by hand with a bone folder before tucking the ends.
Can I mail it?
Because it lies flat, it mails well in a padded envelope. Add a little tissue inside to keep the contents from shifting.
Related Designs
Explore all of our free gift box templates, or try the gable favor box, the macaron box, or the petal closure box. Add a front-panel design from our fall SVG designs for autumn gifting.