By Cassandra Balentine
Wide format digital print enables a range of applications serving both consumer and business needs. Corrugated cardboard mediums are an excellent, low-cost media option with versatile uses.
Established in 2016, Cardboard Cutout Standees, recently celebrated its ninth “Standeeversary.” Its production facility is in La Crosse, WI. With more than 15,000 square feet of production space and a staff of 20 employees, the business primarily serves the U.S. and Canada.
A large portion—approximately 80 percent—of Cardboard Cutout Standees’ business is direct to consumer with orders coming in through its website. The remaining 20 percent is business to business (B2B) that typically from the website or a referral from a previous customer.
Standees and More
As its name implies, cardboard standees make up more than half of its sale volume. It also offers BigHead cutouts, wall decals, wall murals, and point of purchase (POP) displays.
For production of cardboard standees, the print provider utilizes a CET Color flatbed printer, a Zünd cut system, as well as other inkjet equipment.
It relies on three standard materials for its cutouts, corrugated cardboard, foam core, and Primex Plastics Corporation’ Bubble-X. “Most of the units we sell are corrugated cardboard. It is the most economical. We also offer foam core for those customers wanting the highest print quality. For our weather-proof option we offer Bubble-X plastic,” shares Jason Frank, founder, Cardboard Cutout Standees. “We are one of the few companies offering customers this material option. We switched from coroplast to Bubble-X to provide our customers with a smooth print surface without the lines coroplast has and it’s a more durable material.”
The shop sees a lot of variety when it comes to consumer-ordered standee cutouts. Frank says the challenge lies in figuring out the best way to reproduce the customer’s image while making it easy to set up as well as being able to get it to fit inside a parcel that can ship economically.
POP Work
In addition to its consumer-focused work, about 75 percent of its B2B jobs are POP applications.
“The standees started it all, but we offer pole toppers, counter and floor displays, pallet wraps, and product holding standees,” offers Frank.
With the bulk of its business are orders with quantities of one, Cardboard Cutout Standees developed systems to make low quantities economically. “This gives us the ability to offer businesses that are starting out the opportunity to purchase displays with low minimum order quantities. A business that is trying to compete for store space can offer the same displays as their larger competitors.”
For POP applications, it utilizes the the same base materials as its corrugated cutouts, but can also source job-specific materials. “We have produced POP displays from Xanita, Falconboard from Packaging Corporation of America, and 3A Composite USA’s Sintra. We even worked on a project that used 3A Alucobond,” explains Frank.
Many of the clients Cardboard Cutout Standees serves are just starting to purchase POP displays. “When they come to us, they may have an idea in their mind of what they are looking for, but many don’t have any drawings, pictures, or even measurements of their products. Our team works with customers to understand what they are trying to accomplish, how the product will be delivered and set up, and the look they want to achieve. Melding everything into the POP display is a challenge,” notes Frank.
Cardboard Kiosk
Recently, Cardboard Cutout Standees completed a POP project for Black Steel—a consumer kiosk to promote its Grip Control product. Grip Control is a thumb rest that can be added to many handguns, explains Frank.
Black Steel came to the shop originally looking for a countertop display that would both hold their product and allow for the mounting of a small video screen. During the design process, Frank says the application morphed into a countertop sales kiosk. “The display promotes the features of Grip Control through print and via a video screen as well as holding a sample that the customer can use and feel the Grip Control product on a mockup handgun.”
While most of Cardboard Cutout Standees’ POP displays are either holding products or simply providing a standee to catch the shopper’s eye, Black Steel’s design provided a new multi-information kiosk-style application.
Due to the look and price point Black Steel wanted, Frank says the project lent itself to corrugated. “We delivered the features they needed at the lowest price point.”
The kiosk displays were printed on a CET printer and finished with the Zünd. “Our production team does the final step of pre-taping with double-sided tape so it’s ready for final assembly when Black Steel receives it,” shares Frank.
The displays are designed to be in place for years. Black Steel opted for a video unit that can be plugged in, so they are not limited by battery life.
Customer Focused
As both a business to consumer and B2B operation with a large online presence, Cardboard Cutout Standees focuses on customer service.
“We take customer service seriously,” notes Frank. “We have over 18,000 five star reviews. Most of these reviews are from customers that have ordered a single item. No matter if you are ordering one or 5,000, our team will take care of you.”
Jun2025, Digital Output
