History of Cereal Boxes

Cereal boxes have come a long way since the late 1800s when cardboard cereal boxes were first introduced. Before that, cereals were sold in bulk containers or paper bags.

One of the first cereal brands to use a cardboard box was Quaker Oats in 1895. Their boxes featured colorful graphics showing the Quaker man along with the product name. This allowed customers to easily identify the Quaker Oats brand on store shelves.

Over the next few decades, other brands like Kellogg's, Post, and General Mills started using branded cereal boxes to package their products. Early cereal boxes from the 1910s and 1920s featured very simple colors and text-based designs.

As printing technology advanced in the 1930s, cereal companies began experimenting with more eye-catching graphics, colors, and characters on their boxes. Brand mascots like Tony the Tiger were introduced to help market cereal to children.

During the 1940s and 1950s, cereal boxes featured bright colors and bold graphic designs to capture consumer attention in stores. Brands often tied into popular TV shows, movies, and comic characters to further promote their cereals.

Vintage cereal boxes from the mid-20th century have become collectible items for cereal enthusiasts. The unique art and cultural references on retro boxes provide a nostalgic glimpse into each era. Old cereal boxes from brands like Wheaties, Rice Krispies, and Corn Flakes are highly sought after by collectors.

While cardboard cereal boxes were initially just functional packaging, over time they evolved into an important part of cereal branding and marketing. Today's cereal boxes still utilize bright colors, characters, and games to attract customers of all ages.

Popular Cereal Brand Mascots

Cereal mascots have become iconic pop culture figures over the years. Here are some of the most popular cereal mascots and fun facts about them:

Tony the Tiger

Tony the Tiger has been the mascot for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes since the cereal's introduction in 1952. With his muscular physique and booming voice yelling "They're grrrreat!", Tony quickly became one of the most recognizable cereal mascots. Tony was originally drawn by Disney animator Martin Provensen.

Cap'n Crunch

Cap'n Crunch first appeared on the Quaker Oats cereal in 1963. With his captain's hat and crunchy cereal, the Cap'n was an instant hit. His full name is Captain Horatio Magellan Crunch. Urban legends claim Cap'n Crunch's full rank in the navy is "Captain," but Quaker Oats has never confirmed his actual rank.

Toucan Sam

As the mascot for Froot Loops, Toucan Sam brought his technicolor beak and nose to breakfast tables in 1963. His catchphrase "Follow my nose! It always knows!" comes from his ability to find Froot Loops using his sense of smell. Toucan Sam was voiced by Mel Blanc, the voice of Bugs Bunny, for many years.

Snap, Crackle and Pop

The trio of magical rice pixies Snap, Crackle, and Pop first appeared in Kellogg's Rice Krispies ads in the 1930s. Their signature sounds were initially made by clamping two wooden blocks together! The pixies have gone through several different designs over the decades but remain icons of the brand.

Lucky the Leprechaun

Since 1964, Lucky has represented General Mills' Lucky Charms cereal. With his green outfit and Irish accent, Lucky is best known for fiercely protecting his cereal from kids who want to steal his marshmallow charms. The original voice of Lucky was Arthur Anderson, who voiced the leprechaun for 29 years.

Which cereal mascot is your favorite? These characters have certainly left their mark on cereal culture over the years. Their colorful personalities and catchphrases are fond childhood memories for many generations.

Customizing Your Own Cereal Box

Custom cereal boxes allow you to create your own personalized box for a fun gift, party favor, or just for cereal-loving kids. There are a few companies that offer custom printing services to bring your cereal box design to life.

When customizing your cereal box, you'll have plenty of design options to make it unique. Most companies allow you to upload your own photos, illustrations, and text to the template. You can include the recipient's name, funny captions, inside jokes, or anything you can imagine. The layouts also allow you to place your images and text on different sides and panels just like a real cereal box.

Other customizations include choosing cereal shapes like flakes, puffs, or O's. You can select the box shape, size, and materials too. Most custom cereal boxes are printed on cardstock or cardboard to mimic the texture of real cereal boxes. Some companies even offer printing on the inside of the box, just like nutrition facts panels. The boxes usually have foldable glued tabs just like store-bought cereal.

When designing your custom cereal box, the printing options are key. Full color printing allows for the most vivid and lifelike cereal box. You can also choose metallic printing for a shiny, gleaming box. Other options are UV coatings for a smooth glossy finish and embossed textures. The printing quality ensures your custom cereal box looks authentic with crisp, sharp images.

With many design and printing options, custom cereal boxes make for fun personalized gifts or keepsakes. It's an imaginative way to create a unique cereal box filled with your own special touches.

Uses for Custom Cereal Boxes

Custom cereal boxes can be used for a variety of creative purposes beyond just holding cereal. Some popular uses include:

Gift Boxes, Party Favors, and Announcements
Custom cereal boxes make for fun and unique gift boxes. You can customize the box with the recipient's name and interests. These boxes are great for small gifts like gift cards, candy, jewelry, and other trinkets. Custom cereal boxes also work well as party favors - fill them with treats or small toys. You can even use them as creative baby shower announcements or wedding favors.

Decorative Boxes and Jewelry Boxes

The colorful and nostalgic graphics on cereal boxes make them perfect for repurposing as decorative boxes. Customize a box with your own designs or photos to create beautiful decorative boxes for around the home. Cereal boxes can also be made into cute jewelry boxes - adding compartments and lining the interior with felt or fabric.

Collectible Boxes for Hobbies/Fandoms

For collectors and super fans, custom cereal boxes can be made into limited edition collectible boxes. If you have a hobby like coin collecting or are really into a TV show, movie, or band - a custom cereal box is a great way to showcase your passion. Boxes can be customized with rare images, autographs, and other special memorabilia.

The versatile cardboard cereal box lends itself to so many creative uses. With custom printing, you can transform a cereal box into a personal gift, home decor item, or pop culture collectible.

Cereal Box Crafts

Cereal boxes can be repurposed into a variety of fun and creative crafts. Their lightweight cardboard material makes them easy to cut, fold, glue, and decorate. Here are some ways to transform an empty cereal box into a unique handmade craft:

Mail Organizer

Turn a cereal box into a desktop mail organizer. Cut off the top panel and trim the sides. Use the front cartoon graphic as decoration. Fold down the back panel to make a pocket for papers and notes. Add dividers and labels for sorting mail and bills.

Photo Frame

Make a picture frame out of a cereal box. Cut one side panel off and trim to your desired photo size. Glue colorful scrapbook paper inside the frame. You can decorate the outside with markers, glitter, sequins or other embellishments. Add a cardboard backing and clip to display photos and artwork.