What Paintbox does

Paintbox is a New York–based nail art studio and direct-to-consumer beauty brand founded in 2014. The company sells ready-to-wear press-on nails (solid colors $12, designs $14), custom press-ons built to customer measurements via an in-studio atelier, 10-free nail lacquer in singles ($11), Power Couples color pairings ($20), and curated bundles ($24–$49), supported by gift cards and a wholesale channel on Faire. Studio services — single color ($50–$65), classic and luxe design manicures ($85–$95), bridal ($125), deluxe sessions ($172), and healthy nail extensions ($105–$225) — are delivered at a flagship residency inside Spoke & Weal Flatiron in NYC and a shop-in-shop at MiniLuxe South End in Boston.

The business runs an omnichannel model: a Shopify DTC storefront at paint-box.com for national reach, owned studio services in two cities, and a Faire wholesale account for boutique retailers. GTM is a hybrid of DTC e-commerce, event-driven runway and editorial credibility (NYFW, Vogue, Allure, Elle, Cosmopolitan, Brides, Byrdie, Martha Stewart), and community-led social on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest, with a Give $10/Get $10 referral program. Customer segments are primarily fashion-conscious individual consumers (ages 25–45), with secondary use-case segments in bridal parties and corporate/private events for brands such as Refinery29, Nike, HBO, and Miu Miu. No proprietary technology or AI capability is disclosed; competitive advantage is built on editorial brand recognition, a curated design library of 78+ press-ons and 18+ Power Couple pairings, and skilled nail artists executing the custom atelier work.

Name

Paintbox

Legal name

Paintbox

Website

https://paint-box.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Premium Nail Art

NAICS

Nail Salons (812113)

akta.pro primary industry

Nail Color & Nail Art (Polish, Gel, Dip, Press-ons, Nail Art Color) (CRABACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nail Salon Products (Polish, Gel, Acrylic, Supplies) (CRABALAE), Nail Art & Custom Designs (HSALACAE)

Keywords

• Press-on nails
• Nail lacquer
• Nail art studio
• Custom manicures
• Bridal nail design

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. E-commerce Product Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of press-on nails, nail lacquer, nail care products, and gift cards through their Shopify e-commerce platform (paint-box.com). Products include Ready-to-Wear press-ons ($12-$14), nail lacquer singles ($11), Power Couples ($20), and bundles ($24-$49).
2. Studio Services: In-studio manicure services at their NYC studio and Boston shop-in-shop locations. Services range from single color manicures ($50-$65) to deluxe sessions ($172), bridal manicures ($125-$175), and healthy nail extensions ($105-$225).
3. Wholesale: Wholesale distribution through their Faire platform (paintbox1.faire.com) allowing retailers to stock Paintbox products.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Paintbox is a NYC-based nail art studio and DTC brand that designs and sells ready-to-wear press-on nails, custom press-on sets, professional-grade nail lacquer, and nail care accessories organized around seasonal collections inspired by runway and editorial trends. The company complements its e-commerce catalog with in-studio manicure services, bridal manicures, and healthy nail extensions at its NYC Flatiron studio and Boston shop-in-shop. Wholesale distribution is offered through Faire, and the brand sells gift cards and curated bundles for both personal use and gifting.

Product overview

Paintbox is a high design nail art studio and DTC brand based in NYC, founded in 2014. The company offers a unified portfolio of nail products and services centered around seasonal collections inspired by runway and editorial trends. Core offerings include Press Ons (ready-to-wear nails in Designs, Solid Colors, Custom, and themed collections like The Denim Collection), Nail Lacquer (professional polish in Singles, Power Couples, trios, and The Paint Box sets), and Nail Care accessories. Paintbox operates two studio locations (NYC Flatiron and Boston) offering in-studio manicure services ranging from Single Color to Bridal Manicures. The brand also offers Custom Press Ons through a consultation-based bespoke service and sells Gift Cards. The product ecosystem emphasizes design-forward aesthetics, color theory, and runway-quality nail art for both professional and at-home use.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Press Ons Ready-to-wear artificial nails designed at the Paintbox NYC studio and sold via paint-box.com. Available in Designs ($14), Solid Colors ($12), and short/medium/long length variations. Features custom oval shape, non-damaging gel tabs, reusability for multiple wears, 14-day wear guarantee, and sustainable materials made with RCS Recycled Claim Standard recycled plastic.
• Custom Press Ons Bespoke press-on nail service where customers collaborate with named nail artists (e.g., Irene, Kimberly, Tyrie) to create perfectly sized, made-to-measure nail sets. Includes in-studio consultation, free-hand drawing, 3D applications, gradient effects, intricate patterns, and crystal/gem work, with a 1-2 week turnaround and a customer approval process before production.
• The Denim Collection A themed collection of press-on nails featuring denim-inspired designs including Stone Wash, Faded, Night Shift, High Rise, Perry, Night Cap, and Ribbon. Positioned as runway-quality nail art for at-home wear, extending the core Press Ons line into a fashion-themed capsule.
• Nail Lacquer Professional-grade nail polish with a 10-free, cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, and paraben-free formula in 10ml/.34 fl. oz. bottles priced at $11 each. Available as Singles in the full seasonal color range, with a unique brush for streak-free application.
• Power Couples Coordinating nail lacquer pairs designed by Paintbox's creative team using color theory and seasonal trends. Priced at $20 per pair and available as duos, trios, and 5-packs, with 18 named combinations such as Like Spice + Like Spring, Like Wild + Like Wonder, and Like Rain + Like Blush.
• The Paint Box (Nail Art Kits) Curated sets of Power Couple nail lacquers presented as complete nail art kits priced at $49. Each Paint Box contains a matching pair of complementary colors designed to create cohesive manicure looks, packaged as art-inspired collections.
• Nail Care Nail care accessories supporting manicure health and longevity, including Cuticle Oil ($14), The Art Set nail art tools ($14), and Power Couple Base Coats (Like Fresh + Like Force, $20). Formulated to complement press-on wear and lacquer application.
• Press On Bundles Value bundles of press-on nails including The Starter Kit ($39), Candy Nails ($49), Red Hot ($24), Your Nails But Better ($32), The Spring Set ($32), Elevated Neutrals ($34), Essentials Sets ($24-$25), Santorini ($34), The Bridal Set ($30), and East Coast ($30), designed for entry-level adoption, gifting, and seasonal curation.
• Paintbox Studio Services In-studio manicure services offered at the NYC Flatiron studio (inside Spoke & Weal) and the Boston shop-in-shop at MiniLuxe South End. Services include Single Color Manicure (Polish $50 / Gel $65), Classic Design Manicure (Gel $85), Luxe Design Manicure (Gel $95), Bridal Manicure ($125), Deluxe Session ($172), and Healthy Nail Extensions ($105-$225) using Aprés product in round, almond, or square shapes.
• Gift Cards Digital and physical gift cards for the Paintbox experience, including studio manicure services. Available in various denominations for gifting the Paintbox nail art experience to friends, family, or colleagues.
• Paintbox x PatBO Press Ons Limited-edition collaboration press-on nails between Paintbox and fashion designer PatBO, sold at $14 per set and inspired by PatBO's SS'25 Ethereal Runway collection.

Quantifiable outcome

• 14-day wear guarantee - 'If we guarantee that our Press Ons will stay on for 14 days when properly applied using the brush-on glue included. If not, we'll give you your money back.'
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered featured, core, secondary and minor.

• PatBOfeaturedStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaintbox collaborated with designer PatBO to create limited-edition press-on nails inspired by their SS'25 Ethereal Runway collection. The design features reflective chrome meets nude undertones, mirroring the dreamlike textures and radiant finishes from the runway show. The $14 press-ons were sold through Paintbox's e-commerce platform.
• Spoke & Weal FlatironcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPaintbox operates its flagship studio inside the Spoke & Weal Flatiron location at 184 Fifth Avenue Floor 2, New York, NY 10010. The residency began March 9, with Paintbox providing nail artistry services in the retail space. 'Paintbox is entering a new chapter at Spoke & Weal Flatiron. Same nail artistry, a beautiful new setting.'
• MiniLuxe South EndsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPaintbox operates a shop-in-shop location at MiniLuxe South End, 536 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116. MiniLuxe provides the retail space and scheduling infrastructure while Paintbox provides nail artistry services.
• Tanya TaylorfeaturedStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaintbox collaborated with fashion designer Tanya Taylor on nail polish collections and co-branded content, featuring in Fashion Magazine coverage of the partnership.
• MAC Viva GlamfeaturedStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaintbox participated in MAC Viva Glam collaborations, with coverage in Fashion Magazine and Fashionista detailing the partnership announcement.
• Refinery29minorGTM or Marketing PartnerPaintbox hosted private events for Refinery29, providing manicure services as entertainment or brand activation activity.
• NikeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPaintbox provided nail services at Nike brand events, supporting their event programming with luxury self-care experiences.
• HBOminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPaintbox provided nail services at HBO brand events, offering premium manicure experiences as event entertainment.
• Miu MiuminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPaintbox provided nail services at Miu Miu brand events, aligning with fashion brand activations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Olive & June: DTC nail brand offering press-ons, nail polish, and at-home manicure systems with strong social and editorial presence. Directly comparable as a digitally native, design-led nail brand targeting fashion-conscious consumers.
• Glamnetic: Press-on nail and magnetic lash brand sold DTC and through major retailers. Comparable for press-on product overlap, fashion-forward positioning, and influencer-led acquisition, though it has raised more institutional capital.
• Static Nails: Premium press-on nail brand with reusable designs and salon-grade claims. Closely comparable on product format (reusable press-ons), target customer, and price point.
• Dashing Diva: Established press-on and nail strip brand with mass and prestige distribution. Comparable on product format and beauty-retail reach; broader but less design-elevated than Paintbox.

Broad incumbents

• Kiss Products: Mass-market leader in press-on nails, glue-on nails, and nail care. Comparable on core press-on product category but operates at a much lower price point with drugstore and mass distribution.
• OPI: Global professional nail lacquer brand (Wella). Comparable on nail lacquer chemistry and salon-grade positioning, though OPI is salon-channel-led and lacks Paintbox's design/atelier narrative.
• Essie: Mass-prestige nail polish brand owned by L'Oréal. Comparable on lacquer product and color-trend authority, though Essie's distribution and pricing are broader and lower than Paintbox's.
• Zoya: Long-standing 'clean' nail polish brand (10-free, vegan). Comparable on the clean-beauty, vegan, 10-free lacquer credentials Paintbox markets.

Emerging players

• Clutch Nails: Independent press-on nail brand with artist collaborations and limited drops. Comparable on the editorial, drop-based, design-led model but at smaller scale and without studio services.

Regional players

• MiniLuxe: U.S.-focused nail care studio chain offering manicure services and retail polish. Comparable as both a service competitor and Paintbox's Boston shop-in-shop host; overlapping customer base in Boston.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PaintboxNYC
• Instagraminstagram.com/paintboxnails
• TikToktiktok.com/@paintboxnails
• Pinterestpinterest.com/paintboxnails

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Paintbox