In the late 1700s, skilled woodworkers in Mauchline began making small wooden boxes for storing snuff. Made from the cream-colored, tightly grained wood from the local sycamore trees, these boxes were decorated with hand-painted or inked designs and finished with multiple coats of amber-colored varnish for shine and durability, and soon, time-saving paper transfers were introduced. However, by the 1820s demand for snuff boxes had declined. The boxmakers adapted to the changing times and diversified to remain in business. They began making other small, useful wooden items, which were suitable as souvenirs for the increasing number of vacation travelers.

By 1825, William and Andrew Smith had established the prestigious W & A Smith Box Works in Mauchline, and they originally focused on providing the wooden packaging for their razor/knife-sharpening hones business. But they, too, eventually branched out into making souvenir items of every size, shape, and purpose. Besides decorating these new items with the typical transfer designs, these brothers cleverly invented a special printing machine that decorated their wares with transfers of authentic tartans and stylized plaids.

Almost 200 different products were manufactured by the woodworkers in Mauchline, including kitchen items, such as egg timers and napkin rings; sewing accessories, such as pin discs, pincushions, measuring tapes, tatting shuttles, thread boxes, and thread winders and holders; desk items, such as ink wells, rulers, and bookmarks; and game accessories, such as card holders and dice cups. They also made special orders of larger items, such as occasional tables, tea caddies, and trays. Unfortunately, the production of Mauchline ware ceased in 1933 due to a fire in the last factory.