What Is The Best Ribbon For Gift Wrapping ?
How To Choose The Perfect Ribbon For Gifts, Gift Boxes & Luxury Packaging
Ribbon is one of the simplest ways to transform a gift from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you're wrapping a birthday present, creating luxury gift boxes, packaging handmade products or preparing Christmas gifts, the right ribbon can add colour, texture and a professional finishing touch.
With so many ribbon styles available, choosing the best ribbon for gift wrapping can sometimes be confusing. Satin ribbon, grosgrain ribbon, velvet ribbon and organza ribbon all offer different looks and benefits depending on the occasion and presentation style.
This guide explains the most popular ribbon options and helps you choose the perfect ribbon for your next gift wrapping project.
What Is The Best Ribbon For Gift Wrapping?
For most gift wrapping projects, double satin ribbon is considered the premium choice.
Its smooth finish, luxurious appearance and ability to create beautiful bows make it one of the most versatile gift wrapping ribbons available.
Benefits of satin ribbon include:
- Luxurious appearance
- Excellent bow formation
- Huge colour range
- Suitable for personal and business use
- Perfect for luxury gift packaging
Double satin ribbon is particularly popular for premium gift boxes, wedding gifts and special occasions.\
Best Satin Ribbon For Gift Wrapping
Satin ribbon remains the most popular ribbon choice for gift wrapping.
Why Choose Satin Ribbon?
- Elegant appearance
- Beautiful sheen
- Creates attractive bows
- Available in hundreds of colours
- Suitable for all occasions
Satin ribbon works particularly well on gift boxes, wedding gifts, retail packaging and personalised gifts.
Best Grosgrain Ribbon For Gift Wrapping
Grosgrain ribbon offers a more textured appearance than satin ribbon.
Its distinctive ribbed finish provides additional structure and durability.
Why Choose Grosgrain Ribbon?
- Strong and durable
- Holds bow shapes well
- Excellent for handmade gifts
- Contemporary appearance
- Available in plain and patterned designs
Grosgrain ribbon is often chosen when a more modern or rustic style is desired.
Best Velvet Ribbon For Gift Wrapping
Velvet ribbon adds a luxurious and sophisticated finish.
Its soft texture makes it particularly popular during autumn and winter.
Why Choose Velvet Ribbon?
- Rich texture
- Premium appearance
- Perfect for Christmas gifts
- Ideal for luxury packaging
- Creates elegant statement bows
Velvet ribbon works especially well with darker packaging colours such as black, navy and deep green.
Best Organza Ribbon For Gift Wrapping
Organza ribbon creates a delicate and elegant appearance.
Its sheer finish adds decoration without overpowering the gift.
Why Choose Organza Ribbon?
- Lightweight appearance
- Elegant finish
- Popular for weddings
- Ideal for favour boxes
- Available in many colours
Organza ribbon can also be combined with satin ribbon to create beautiful layered bows.
What Ribbon Width Is Best For Gift Wrapping?
The ideal ribbon width depends on the size of the gift.
Small Gifts
Examples:
- Jewellery boxes
- Candles
- Favour boxes
Recommended widths:
- 10mm
- 15mm
Medium Gifts
Examples:
- Clothing
- Books
- Presentation boxes
Recommended widths:
- 15mm
- 25mm
Large Gifts
Examples:
- Hampers
- Luxury gift boxes
- Decorative displays
Recommended widths:
- 38mm
- 50mm
For more informatyion on ribbon widths, take a look at our Ribbon Width Guide.
How Much Ribbon Do I Need For A Gift Box?
One of the easiest ways to calculate ribbon requirements is to measure the longest side of the box and multiply that measurement by four.
Simple Formula
Longest Side Of Box × 4 = Ribbon Required
This generally provides enough ribbon to:
- Wrap around the box horizontally
- Wrap around the box vertically
- Tie a bow on the top
- Leave neat ribbon tails
Examples
| Longest Side Of Box | Ribbon Required |
|---|---|
| 15cm | 60cm |
| 20cm | 80cm |
| 25cm | 100cm |
| 30cm | 120cm |
| 40cm | 160cm |
| 50cm | 200cm |
For larger decorative bows, allow an additional 25% of ribbon.
For more information with regards how much ribbon you need for various projects and uses take a look at our How Much Ribbon Do I Need Guide?
What Ribbon Colour Should I Choose?
Popular gift wrapping colours include:
White & Ivory
Perfect for:
- Weddings
- Christenings
- Luxury gifts
Red
Perfect for:
- Christmas
- Valentine's Day
- Celebrations
Gold & Silver
Perfect for:
- Premium packaging
- Corporate gifts
- Seasonal gifting
Pink
Perfect for:
- Birthdays
- Baby gifts
- Special occasions
Navy & Black
Perfect for:
- Corporate gifting
- Luxury packaging
- Premium presentation
Personalised Ribbon For Gift Wrapping
Personalised ribbon is becoming increasingly popular for both personal and business use.
Printed ribbon can feature:
- Company logos
- Brand names
- Seasonal messages
- Personal greetings
- Event details
Personalised ribbon helps create memorable packaging and a more professional presentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular ribbon for gift wrapping?
Double satin ribbon remains one of the most popular choices thanks to its luxurious appearance and versatility.
What ribbon makes the best bow?
Double satin ribbon and grosgrain ribbon are both excellent choices for creating attractive bows.
What ribbon is best for luxury gift boxes?
Double satin ribbon and velvet ribbon are often considered the most luxurious options.
What width ribbon should I use for gift wrapping?
Most gift wrapping projects use ribbon widths between 15mm and 38mm depending on the size of the gift.
Can I use personalised ribbon for gift wrapping?
Yes. Personalised ribbon is ideal for businesses, weddings, special occasions and luxury gift packaging.
Our Recommended Gift Wrapping Ribbons
The best ribbon for gift wrapping depends on the look you wish to achieve, but for most applications double satin ribbon remains the leading choice thanks to its elegance, versatility and ability to create beautiful bows.
Whether you're wrapping gifts for family and friends, preparing wedding favours or creating luxury retail packaging, choosing the right ribbon can make all the difference to the finished presentation.
Guide Last Update
June 2026