What this construction is
A clamshell is a hinged box where the lid and base are the same depth and meet at the middle, so the piece sits in one half and the other closes over it. It is the most protective small-box construction there is.
Leatherette (PU) on this construction, specifically
Leatherette holds a deep clamshell rigid without the walls bowing, which is the failure of a soft-sided one. It also wipes, which matters on a box that is opened and closed repeatedly at a counter.
Getting the fit right
Because both halves are deep, the interior can hold a piece from both sides — a pad in the lid pressing gently onto the piece in the base. That is what stops movement in transit without a tight seat.
The mistake to avoid
A lid pad that presses too hard marks a soft stone or an enamel. The pad has to be sized to touch and not to clamp, and that is set on the sample with the actual piece in it.
Where it is used
Pieces that ship rather than pieces that sit on a counter, and anything fragile enough that movement inside the box is the main risk.
Why leatherette (pu)
Leatherette is a polyurethane skin over a woven backing. It gives the grain and the weight of leather at a consistent colour, batch to batch — which matters when a jeweller is reordering a house box for years.
Putting your logo on leatherette (pu)
Leatherette is the most forgiving surface for a logo. Hot-stamp, blind deboss and metal plate all sit well on it, and a fine typeface holds its detail.
Cutting the interior in leatherette (pu)
The skin is wrapped over a rigid shell, so corners stay square and the lid closes on a defined line rather than a soft one.
Wipe with a barely damp cloth. Avoid solvent cleaners, which can lift the surface.
What we need from you
| What we need | Why |
|---|---|
| Piece dimensions | Sets the interior |
| Leatherette (PU) colour | Matched to a Pantone reference or a swatch |
| Logo artwork | Vector gives the cleanest die or screen |
| Leatherette (PU) on this construction | Leatherette holds a deep clamshell rigid without the walls bowing, which is the failure of a soft-sided one. |
Frequently asked questions
Is leatherette (pu) a good choice for a clamshell box?
Leatherette holds a deep clamshell rigid without the walls bowing, which is the failure of a soft-sided one. It also wipes, which matters on a box that is opened and closed repeatedly at a counter.
How does leatherette (pu) wear on this construction?
Wipe with a barely damp cloth. Avoid solvent cleaners, which can lift the surface.
Can it be made in our colour?
Yes — the leatherette (pu) is matched to a Pantone reference or a physical swatch, and confirmed on a sample.
What logo methods suit leatherette (pu)?
Leatherette is the most forgiving surface for a logo. Hot-stamp, blind deboss and metal plate all sit well on it, and a fine typeface holds its detail.
Can I see it before ordering?
Yes. A physical pre-production sample is made to your specification and the bulk run is held to the sample you approve.
Make your clamshell boxes
Tell us the piece, your brand and the quantity you have in mind. We’ll send photos of our work and one clear, all-in quote.