Packaging cost guide: what sets the price of custom boxes

"How much will my boxes cost?" is the first question almost every brand asks. The honest answer is that it depends, but it depends on a short, predictable list of things. Once you know them, you can steer the price before you ask for a quote.

The five things that set the price

1. Construction. A folding carton or mailer is cut from one sheet and folded. A rigid box is greyboard wrapped by hand in printed paper. Rigid boxes take more material and more hands, so they cost more per unit.
2. Size. Bigger boxes use more board and wrap, and fewer fit on each printed sheet.
3. Quantity. Setup work (plates, dies, machine make-ready) is spread across the run, so the unit price falls as quantity rises.
4. Materials. Specialty papers, linen and leatherette cost more than standard art paper. Thicker greyboard costs more than thinner.
5. Finishes and inserts. Each finish, such as foil, embossing or spot UV, is an extra step. Custom inserts add material and cutting.

One-off costs vs unit costs

Some costs happen once per design:

• Design and artwork. At our studio the design fee is credited when we manufacture your order.
• Tooling. Cutting dies, foil blocks and emboss plates are made for your artwork. Reorders of the same design reuse them.
• Proofing. A careful digital proof and 3D mockup before production avoid expensive surprises.

Everything else is a unit cost that scales with quantity.

How to lower the price without making the box look cheaper

• Right-size the box. A few millimetres less on each side can save board on every unit and reduce freight.
• Use standard board thicknesses. Our board thickness guide explains which one you actually need.
• Pick one hero finish. A foil logo on soft-touch lamination is a classic for a reason.
• Order a little more. If you will need more boxes within the year, quoting two quantities shows where the price breaks.
• Ship flat when you can. Collapsible rigid boxes keep the rigid feel and cut freight volume.

Don't forget freight and duties

Box prices usually exclude shipping. Air freight is fast and priced by weight or volume, whichever is higher; sea freight is slower and cheaper per box at volume. Import duties and taxes depend on your country. Read more in our guide to shipping rigid boxes internationally.

Get a real number

The fastest way to an accurate price is a short brief: box style, inside size, quantity, materials, finishes and delivery country. Start a free quote and we will reply with a fixed price and, where it helps, a cheaper alternative.

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