How Much Does Custom Packaging Cost – PackagingX

Custom Packaging has become a basic necessity for every business that wants to increase its brand recognition and sales.

Consumers don’t just want your products; they want a complete experience worthy of their money, and shipping or displaying your products in standard boxes won’t do it.

What is the Purpose of Custom Packaging

However, the biggest concern and challenge for individuals or organizations who want to opt for custom packaging for their products remains the budget constraints.

If you are an individual or a startup, you would think a million times before investing in something other than your product, right? Technically speaking, if you opt for custom boxes or custom packaging for your products, you are investing in your product, which comes with many benefits.

Therefore, custom packaging remains one of the most critical aspects of your business’s growth and sales.

Now, coming to the cost, what if we told you that the power to make it fit within your budget remains in your hands? Let us narrow it down for you.

First of all, we need to establish the type of product you are selling, which can include any one of the following;

• Luxury Products
• Food
• Cosmetics
• Electronics
• Gift
• Metalized
• Eco Friendly

Are you unable to find the category of your product from the list? No worries! Find your relevant product box here.

Regardless of the type of product you are selling, the sole purpose of this is to narrow down your choices and get an understanding of how much custom packaging can cost you.

Differentiating between e-commerce and retail Packaging will also affect your pricing majorly, as the purpose of this Packaging differs in terms of usage.

Moving further, another essential aspect could be the time frame during which your product is being launched, as some packaging solutions consume more time than others. Rigid Packaging is a prime example of this.

Once you have determined and narrowed down these factors successfully, you can compare cost considerations for your custom packaging solutions.

Material Price & Finishing

The first thing to consider while opting for a custom packaging solution is to evaluate the cost of material and finishing. This will help you determine the cost of your structural design and printing.

Of course, you will have various materials, and the prices will vary accordingly.

Given below is an estimated price list for you to have a brief overview of the costs.

How Much Does Custom Packaging Cost

Considering the launch of your product and budget, you might want to opt for more cost-effective Packaging as not only will it save your costs but also your time.

Opting for high-quality packaging materials shouldn’t always be the goal, as you must consider other factors as well. Let’s put it this way: you need to distinguish between what you “want” versus what you “need.”

For instance, you might want to hang an original Picasso painting on your wall, but you don’t necessarily need it as you could opt for a replica, which will create the same impact.

If you are a startup, an individual, or running a small business, you must pick your options wisely. Plus, various types of material options are not only cost-effective but also successfully communicate the narrative of your brand just as high-quality packaging will.

As we have mentioned above, narrowing down the industry that your product is serving will help you determine the type of material and finish you should choose for your product.

Once we are done with that, you will need to determine the volume of custom Packaging that you require. Talking about small boxes – they are cheaper to produce and ship, but larger packages have their benefits and can be cost-effective depending on the minimum order. Generally speaking, the larger your order is, the less you will pay per unit.

Now, let’s go ahead and explore the material and finishing options further, along with custom packaging cost.

Corrugated

Corrugated boxes are one of the safest options due to their cost-effectiveness and high durability. Not only can they be assembled quickly, but they work for a wide variety of products as well.

Corrugated boxes are most popular amongst e-commerce businesses as they are not only cost-effective but also save a lot of time.

The thick texture of these corrugated boxes can support heavier items and protect fragile items from being damaged to some extent. Furthermore, corrugated Packaging comes with a wide variety of finishes that you can choose from;

• • Varnish

To increase production efficiency, generate a faster turnaround time, and decrease the costs of a unit overall, gloss varnish is highly recommended. Also, keep in mind this is for small to medium-sized corrugated projects.

• • Lamination

It wouldn’t be wrong to say that a laminated coating assures the best protection, but it can also be pricey depending upon the budget you allocate to other aspects of your project.

• • Wax Coating

If we talk about wax coating, not only are they water/grease resistant, but they are also cost-effective. However, this coating may only be necessary if you sell medical or food products. Since the corrugated Packaging is made of organic materials, you won’t require a wax coating to package your food or medicines.

Even though there are many finishing options available for you, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you “have to” pick one. You can also opt for none at all.

Opting for no coating will also reduce your packaging costs significantly. Another thing that you must keep in mind while choosing corrugated Packaging is that you might not need this Packaging if your products are not prone to breakage or damage.

Folding Carton (White and Kraft)

If the product that you are selling doesn’t require much protection, then this could be the best choice for you as it can save you a significant amount of money. These boxes will decrease your shipping costs significantly as these folding cartons are lightweight and can hold larger orders for less cost.

Now, if we talk about kraft paperboard, you must know that as compared to SBS white paperboard, kraft paperboard appears to be pricey. Kraft paperboard is made straight from the source, which results in an exclusive texture and feel of it.

However, SBS white paperboard is produced from bleached recycled paper, which makes it a more affordable option because it’s a reused material.

Even though Folding Carton appears to be one of the most cost-effective options, it still assures to provide a luxurious feel through its printing and finishing capabilities.

Also, since you won’t have to spend much on the production of folding cartons, you will have more room to invest that money in unique finishes and coatings.

The types of finishes that you can opt for:

1. Lamination

When we talk about laminated paperboard boxes, let us assure you that they are known to have the best quality BUT can be more expensive because of their protective properties.

2. UV & AQ Semi-Gloss Finishing

I am looking for something that’s not expensive. This is what you need! AQ Semi-gloss is water-based, and it’s the best alternative to keep food safe.

Rigid Boxes

Rigid boxes are not for people who are looking for a cost-effective option. If you want top-notch and sturdy packaging quality, wooden boxes are your best bet. Not to forget, it’s also one of the priciest options.

If you are producing luxury products and your targeted audience loves to spend on luxury items, then opt for nothing else but rigid boxes as they provide a premium feel to the product, resulting in excellent customer satisfaction.

Rigid boxes are made of thick graybeard, and their final construction is done by hand. Rigid Packaging is made by gluing each edge and surface together by hand which provides it a premium feel. Not only it’s an expensive option, but it also takes a lot of time to be produced.

Since its luxury packaging is made exclusively for luxury items, it has special finishes and coatings. Below are the types of layers that you can opt for;

Specialty Coatings

Because budget won’t be a hurdle for you if you have already opted for this Packaging, you can also opt for special coatings.

• • Textured paper
  • Embossed and Debossed
  • Pearlized coating
  • Glittered
  • Reticulated
  • Scented
  • Foil Stamped

If the budget isn’t an issue and your product is a luxury item, then the best way to grab your audience is to opt for a rigid box along with special coatings, which will indeed manage to captivate the audience and increase your sales.

Conclusion

We hope that by now, you will have a clearer idea of what you want or need to opt for. Our advice is to always opt for a custom packaging solution as it has an endless amount of benefits.

Even if you have budget constraints, you can still opt for it, but all you need to have is a proper strategy and a good packaging company that will help you optimize your packaging needs as per your budget and requirements.