Set 1 seems neat and clean apart from the text on the side, which I wouldn't have a problem with if it were something like dimensions of the box, or something else non-distracting. However, it loudly advertises a stationery chain in text much larger than any text in the embroidery.
Set 2 would be fine if the dimensions didn't result in a large expanse of cardboard.
Set 3 seemed like the most obvious choice before putting the boxes together, but the flaps won't really close flat. I can tie the boxes up tightly, but there'll still be some bulging that prevents them from stacking together nicely. Tape does the same thing. In the end, I closed the flaps the way you'd usually keep a cardboard box shut by itself - I was initially hesitant to do this as the boxes were double-walled, so it would have to be done with extra force and visible creasing. The boxes don't look bad individually, and actually the flaps create a pattern. However, the ratio of visible, protruding flap to neat, straight cardboard is too high because of the boxes' size. They also don't fit together that closely, so the boxes are as messy as the arrangement of work: there's no contrast. Also, the dimensions of the box faces are too close to the dimensions of some of the pieces.
Set 3 looks a lot worse in person than in the photographs, so I think I'll cover up the text in set 1 and use those. I'll experiment with mixing set 1 and 3, since they are similar colours.
People haven't finished installing work in the space around me, but I know the work includes a laptop on a small table, which I've seen, and something which I haven't seen, but that I think will resemble a shelf. There is also a large painting. If I use boxes to display my work, as opposed to the table or the shelves I tried out, we'll have limited obvious repetition, and a nice range of heights.
