Des Moines, IAState Capital

Custom Inserts in Des Moines, IA

Des Moines is Iowa's capital and one of America's great mid-sized cities — the insurance capital of the United States, home to Principal Financial, Meredith Corporation, and dozens of major financial and media companies, a nationally recognized restaurant scene that has earned James Beard Award nominations, and a tech startup ecosystem energized by Drake and Iowa State's research output. My Custom Boxes serves Des Moines' financially sophisticated and creatively vibrant business community with premium custom packaging that meets the city's growing ambitions.

MOQ: 100 unitsFree Shipping2-3 Week Turnaround
Custom Inserts in Des Moines

Why Des Moines Businesses Choose Us

Free shipping throughout the Des Moines metro and all Polk County addresses
Corporate and insurance packaging for Des Moines' major financial companies
Food and restaurant packaging for Des Moines' nationally recognized culinary scene
Tech startup packaging for Des Moines' growing innovation community
100-unit MOQ for Des Moines startups and small businesses

Why Choose Our Custom Inserts

CNC-cut EVA foam inserts in any product profile and density
Thermoformed PET and PVC trays with individual product cavities
Die-cut corrugated dividers for multi-unit packaging
Molded pulp inserts as sustainable plastic-free alternative
Velvet-flocked foam for jewelry and luxury goods presentation
Designed to prevent product movement in all six shipping directions

Custom Packaging Inserts | Foam, Thermoformed & Corrugated Product Inserts

Custom packaging inserts transform the interior of a standard box into a precisely engineered product presentation system — securing items against movement during shipping, presenting products at the optimal viewing angle for unboxing, and communicating brand values through the materials and precision of the insert design itself. Our custom inserts are manufactured from a range of materials calibrated to the product's weight, fragility, and presentation requirements.

Insert Material Options

  • EVA Foam: The most versatile insert material — CNC-cut to any product profile in densities from 1.2 to 6.0 lb/ft³. Used for electronics, jewelry, cosmetics, medical devices, and precision instruments
  • Polyethylene Foam: Standard protective foam for heavier products and shipping applications — excellent shock absorption and compression resistance
  • Corrugated Cardboard Inserts: Die-cut corrugated dividers and partitions for multi-unit packaging — cost-effective and recyclable
  • Thermoformed Plastic Trays: Precision-formed PET or PVC trays with individual product cavities — standard for cosmetics, electronics, and food packaging
  • Molded Pulp: Sustainably produced from recycled paper fiber — used for premium electronics, wine, and fragile product inserts as a plastic-free alternative
  • Velvet-Flocked Foam: EVA foam with velvet flock coating for jewelry and luxury goods presentation

Insert Design Principles

Effective insert design begins with the product's center of gravity and fragility points. The insert must prevent movement in all six directions during shipping while presenting the product face-up at the correct angle for unboxing. For multi-product packaging, the insert must maintain consistent product spacing regardless of manufacturing tolerance variation in individual product dimensions.

Foam Insert Engineering for Product Protection

Foam insert engineering is not guesswork — it is an applied science. The insert material density is selected based on the product's weight (lighter products need lower-density foam that compresses easily to absorb energy; heavier products need higher-density foam that provides firm support). The cavity geometry is designed with 0.5–1.0mm tolerance around the product to prevent movement without making insertion difficult. Drop test simulation determines whether the cavity design successfully absorbs the impact energy from a standard 30-inch drop test — the pass/fail standard for parcel shipping.

Molded Pulp: The Premium Sustainable Insert

Molded pulp inserts — produced from recycled paper fiber formed over precision molds — have emerged as the premium sustainable alternative to thermoformed plastic trays for electronics and fragile product packaging. Apple's iPhone packaging uses molded pulp inserts; premium whiskey brands use molded pulp bottle cradles; premium headphone brands use molded pulp to cradle their products. The material is 100% recyclable, compostable, and manufactured from post-consumer recycled content — a premium sustainability story that brands communicate proudly on their packaging.

Quick Specs

Minimum Order
100 units
Production Time
2-3 weeks
Free Shipping
Yes
Printing
CMYK / Pantone
Location
Des Moines, IA

Industries

ElectronicsJewelry & Luxury GoodsCosmeticsMedical DevicesE-commerce

Industries in Des Moines

Food & BeverageE-commerceRetailHealth & WellnessManufacturing
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Affordable sample kits available

Industries We Serve in Des Moines

We provide custom inserts to a wide range of industries in Des Moines, IA.

Food & Beverage
E-commerce
Retail
Health & Wellness
Manufacturing

Popular Box Styles in Des Moines

Other packaging styles popular with Des Moines businesses.

Custom Inserts in Nearby Cities

We deliver to cities across Iowa.

Custom Inserts in Des Moines — FAQs

What foam density should I use for my product?

Low-density foam (1.2–2.0 lb/ft³) provides soft cushioning for lightweight products under 2 lbs. Medium-density foam (2.0–4.0 lb/ft³) is standard for most consumer products from 2–10 lbs. High-density foam (4.0–6.0 lb/ft³) provides firm, stable support for heavier products and precision instruments. We can recommend the optimal density based on your product weight and shipping channel.

What is a thermoformed insert?

A thermoformed insert is a plastic tray formed by heating a flat sheet of PET or PVC film and drawing it over a custom mold to create three-dimensional cavities that match your product's shape. Thermoformed inserts provide precise, rigid product support and are standard in cosmetics, electronics, medical device, and food packaging applications where consistent cavity geometry is critical.

Can you make inserts for multiple products?

Yes. Multi-product inserts use either foam with multiple cavities cut to each product's profile, thermoformed trays with individual product sections, or corrugated divider systems that create separate compartments within the box. Multi-product inserts must be designed to accommodate manufacturing tolerance variation in individual product dimensions while maintaining consistent presentation.

What is molded pulp and why is it considered premium sustainable packaging?

Molded pulp is produced by forming recycled paper fiber slurry over precision aluminum molds and drying it to create three-dimensional shapes. The result is a structurally precise, 100% recycled, recyclable, and compostable insert material that requires no petroleum-based plastics. Premium electronics and spirits brands use molded pulp to communicate sustainable packaging credentials alongside the quality of their product.

Do you serve Des Moines' insurance and financial community?

Yes. Des Moines' major insurance companies and financial firms use our corporate packaging for gifting programs and branded materials.

What Des Moines metro areas do you deliver to?

We deliver free throughout Polk County including all Des Moines neighborhoods, plus Ankeny, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Clive, Johnston, and all surrounding metro communities.

Do you serve Des Moines' food and restaurant community?

Yes. Des Moines' nationally recognized food scene uses our retail boxes and branded packaging for retail and direct-to-consumer channels.

How long does delivery take to Des Moines?

Production is 10–14 business days from proof approval, then 2–3 days ground shipping to Des Moines.

Get Custom Inserts in Des Moines, IA

Get a free quote with competitive pricing, free shipping, and 2-3 week turnaround.