Custom Mystery Boxes Coming Soon!!!

It’s hard to believe, but one year ago I released my mystery boxes! This year has flown by and while I’ve been happy with the contents of my mystery boxes, I’ve never truly been satisfied with the box solution.

Like many of my projects, the mystery boxes started out as an idea that transformed into reality through trial and error and compromise. I originally wanted to do custom boxes, but at the time all the manufacturers I could find online were WAY too expensive for the number of boxes I’d be making. I finally decided to use standard colored corrugated cardboard boxes that I decorated with stickers. 

While decorating standard boxes worked well enough, it’s never been the ideal solution for several reasons. First, buying the boxes and stickers separately and then having to spend time decorating them, greatly increases the cost and labor of the boxes, not to mention the extra shipping. It felt wasteful.  

Additionally, while the stickers are cute the finished boxes never really matched the vision I had for my mystery boxes. You know me well enough now to know I wanted WAY more decorations on both the outside and inside to make these boxes as fun as possible! I want the box to be part of the product, something you would keep and use ‘cause it’s just so fun!

Finally, and probably most importantly, the boxes we use right now only come in standard sizes, and while we bought the best sizes we could, they’ve always been a bit on the large size. To compensate, I had to use styrofoam peanuts to pad the packages for presentation and protection of the goodies (and because I didn’t want your goodies getting smashed up in transit!) Even though I had to use packing peanuts I didn’t like doing it. They are wasteful and not great for the environment, not to mention the extra shipping impact of sending boxes that are bigger than needed. While Milky Tomato grows, and I learn, I want to reduce environmental impact whenever possible.

I’m super pleased to say that my Mystery Boxes have continued to be some of my best-selling products! You guys sure have loved your mystery goodies but I still really wanted to pursue my original vision of custom boxes.

In early August I decided to start again on the custom mystery boxes in hopes of having them ready by Christmas time. Well, it took longer than I had hoped so they won’t be out in time for this Holiday season but I am SUPER excited to say I’ve finally worked out a solution and I couldn’t be happier with the results!

As with most of my projects, the first step was to find a manufacturer I could work with who could create the boxes at an affordable price. Once again, I turned to the manufacturers who make my convention bags and they were confident they could help me make my dream a reality. But three different designs, in four different sizes, added up to 12 boxes I had to design so I had a lot of work ahead of me!

First I experimented with my different mystery box configurations to figure out the ideal size for each of the 4 offerings. With that in hand, my manufacturer produced 4 templates for me.

Now the real fun began! I had so much fun designing a complete box design, both inside and outside, including the top, bottom, and sides. With a custom box, I could do so much more with the design!

Once I submitted the designs to the manufacturer, it was time for phase two, proto-typing! The manufacturer would send me pics of the prototypes including sizing the boxes! After several rounds back and forth they sent us the boxes so we could try them out in person. I couldn’t wait to see them!

Once the prototypes arrived, I reviewed them, found some minor problems, adjusted the sizes a little, and decided to go with lighter cardboard to help reduce shipping costs. With those changes made I placed my order! While I’m sad that they will be arriving in mid-December, too late for Holiday shopping, I am so happy with the final product! These boxes look SO much better and will reduce our environmental impact. It’s a win/win! Check out the pics of the prototypes below!

New Mystery Box:

New Cute Box:

New Creepy Box with Intestines!