Features and types
A well-chosen ribbon enhances any package: favour box, confectionery pouch, gift box or ceremonial display arrangement. Material, width and finish affect the bow's hold, visual impact and durability. This collection brings together four main materials, each with a precise use.
Double satin ETM — the classic for ceremonies
The double satin ETM is the most requested material for wedding, christening, communion and confirmation favour boxes. Both surfaces are shiny and silky: the ribbon is reversible, so when you tie it, an opaque side never shows. The 50 m spools are available in widths from 3 mm to 25 mm — each size has a well-defined use.
ETM is a Milanese brand since 1919, specialised in ribbons and accessories for ceremony packaging: at L'Arcolaio it represents the largest brand in the collection, with over 340 lines in satin, grosgrain, organza and patterned styles.
Grosgrain — structure for parcels and floral arrangements
Ribbon in grosgrain has a ridged and matte texture that offers greater body. It holds well on heavy packages and floral arrangements where the ribbon needs to maintain its shape without sagging. It's also the right choice for a natural or rustic style, paired with kraft paper and country chic decorations.
Velvet EDG Enzo De Gasperi — for the festive season
The velvet EDG Enzo De Gasperi, available in widths of 6.3 cm and 8.9 cm in 10 m spools, is designed for winter displays. The available colours include Red, Green Gold and Sand: soft and visually full-bodied, it pairs well with trees, garlands and large-format gifts. The new EDG Enzo De Gasperi Decoglitter ribbons — in Champagne and Red glitter finish, widths 6.3 cm and 8.9 cm — expand the range with luminous effects suited to elaborate festive compositions.
Ribbons with Christmas motifs — assorted EDG sets
For those preparing many parcels or coordinated displays, the 8-ribbon EDG Enzo De Gasperi sets (height 2.5 cm, 3 m length each) are a practical format: available in Christmas Red Mix, Merry Christmas Red Gold and Assorted Glitter Bronze variants. Ribbons with Star and Snowflake motifs — in single 10 m spools, widths between 1.8 cm and 2.2 cm — complete the festive range for serial Christmas packaging.
Furlanis, Piovaccari and Arpimex ribbons
Alongside ETM and EDG, the collection includes Furlanisribbons, specialised in double satin for favour boxes, Piovaccari and Arpimex: three brands that complete the assortment in niche widths, finishes and colours, useful for those seeking specific variants not found in the main ranges.
How to choose the right ribbon
For wedding, christening and communion favour boxes
Start with 15 mm width in double satin ETM: it's proportionate to most standard packages, produces a neat bow and holds the knot well. For a wedding favour box in powder tones, pair 15 mm powder satin + 10 mm ivory satin + an accent in gold or silver. Three shades maximum ensure visual harmony across the entire mise en place — from the favour box to the place card to the table centrepiece.
For boys' christenings white and light blue work well; for girls' christenings antique pink or powder. The 3 mm or 10 mm satin is ideal for tying small cards or closing small confectionery pouches.
If you're arranging favour boxes and glass containers for a ceremony, allow approximately 50–60 cm of ribbon per standard bow: a 50 m spool covers between 80 and 100 packages. Always keep a spare spool from the same batch to ensure colour consistency.
For gift parcels and voluminous packages
With large packages move to 25 mm or directly to EDG formats of 40 mm and above. 20 mm grosgrain is useful when the ribbon needs to support the weight of the package without deforming. The EDG velvet ribbons in 6.3 cm and 8.9 cm are designed for large-format Christmas parcels, bows on doors and decorative structures.
For Christmas displays
Red and Green Gold EDG velvet in 8.9 cm and champagne Decoglitter ribbons are the choice for statement bows on garlands and trees. The 8-ribbon assorted EDG sets — Bronze Glitter, Christmas Red Mix or Merry Christmas Red Gold — cover multiple needs in a single purchase and are convenient for those packaging in series. If you're preparing items for ceremonies and favour boxes, pair the ribbons with other coordinated accessories for uniform results.
For outdoor displays or humid conditions
Organza is light and delicate: it's designed for interior or protected displays. For outdoor decorations — such as adornments on gates or outdoor structures — synthetic grosgrain offers greater resistance to moisture.
Ribbons for packaging and parcels — adhesive tape
For those looking for packaging ribbons or adhesive tape for parcels, in the same collection you'll find products specifically for parcel sealing: ETM also offers ceremony packaging accessories, whilst for professional packaging of large volumes you can consult the Cupido&Co. section dedicated to favour box and ceremony accessories.
FAQ
What ribbon width should I choose for a favour box?
For classic favour boxes — confectionery pouches, gift boxes, small jars — the ideal width is between 10 mm and 15 mm. It produces a proportionate bow without weighing down the package. For larger favour boxes or voluminous pouches, 25 mm offers greater presence. The 15 mm double satin ETM in ivory or antique pink is among the most used formats for ceremonies.
What's the difference between double satin and single satin?
The double satin has both sides shiny and is reversible: when you tie it, the opaque side never shows. It's thicker and holds the bow shape better. Single satin has only one shiny side and is more budget-friendly. For ceremony favour boxes — weddings, communions, confirmations — double satin is the safest choice.
Can Christmas ribbons be reused year after year?
Yes, if stored in a dry place away from direct light. Wind them on rigid supports to prevent permanent creases. EDG Enzo De Gasperi velvet ribbons and double satin ETM ribbons maintain their colour and consistency over several seasons with proper storage.
How do I coordinate ribbon colours for a wedding?
Start from the event's palette: choose a main colour (for example powder pink), a neutral (ivory or white) and a metallic accent (gold or silver). Three shades maximum ensure harmony across the entire mise en place, from the favour box to the place card.
Where are ETM and EDG ribbons located and can they be collected?
L'Arcolaio has a 5,000 m² retail location in Pignataro Interamna (FR), just minutes from the Cassino exit of the A1 motorway. The shop is open Monday–Saturday 8:30–19:00, Sunday 10:00–19:00. Online orders are shipped throughout Italy and to 21 European countries. Collection in-store is also available. For ceremony ribbons paired with confetti, the shop has a dedicated refrigerated room for Maxtris confetti and favour box accessories.
L'Arcolaio selects these lines because they cover every occasion — from the simplest favour box to the most elaborate Christmas display — without needing to look elsewhere. To complete your package, also explore the items for ceremonies and favour boxes and ribbons by Furlanis.
