This rug came wrapped well in plastic  but not boxed. It is  very flat (not much of a pile) which is exactly what I wanted in my kitchen. I laid it down without a mat underneath to see if works well and doesn't move but I will have to live with it a while to see how it holds up. The colors are rich and it is very soft to the touch. It is a beautiful rug and I love how it looks in my kitchen. I very highly recommend this product!