How Much Do Custom Shipping Boxes Cost?

What is the right amount to invest in boxes without breaking the bank? This will depend on what you're shipping, how you're packing, and the quantity of boxes you order. Every option comes with a cost, from basic kraft cartons to fully customized boxes with your brand. The size of the order may affect the cost per box; bulk orders can result in lower costs, while larger sizes, higher-quality materials, and superior printing may result in higher costs.

The good news? Use smart packaging solutions to achieve a balance between cost, product protection, and brand appeal. Before placing a custom shipping box order, here are a few things to know.

How Much Do Custom Shipping Boxes Cost?

The price of custom shipping boxes will differ based on your packaging needs and order quantities. Plain corrugated boxes are usually cheaper; branded shipping boxes will require extra printing and set-up.

Here are some suggested potential costs in the US market.

What Factors Affect Custom Shipping Box Prices?

Several decisions in the manufacture of boxes for shipping have an impact on the pricing. Familiarizing yourself with these factors will enable you to select the right packaging for your requirements without unnecessary costs.

Box dimensions and size

This is because the larger boxes will need a larger amount of corrugated material for manufacturing, which will cost more. Larger packaging can also lead to higher shipping costs as carriers determine shipping costs based on dimensional weight.

Take measurements of your product and select the box so that there is adequate protective material between it and the box, but not so much volume of space that the box is too large.

Material and Box Strength

It all depends on the weight, fragility, and shipping conditions of the product being packaged. Single-wall corrugated boxes can be used for a lot of your everyday shipments. Double-wall corrugated boxes offer more strength for heavier products, fragile items, and shipments that require more stacking resistance. Depending on the supplier and the desired performance, Kraft and recycled-content materials can also be available.

Printing and Branding

Typically, plain shipping boxes will be more budget-friendly than custom printed boxes. Having your logo, brand colors, product information, or your promotional message put on the production adds additional costs. Sometimes, it's cheaper to do a single color print than it is to have a big color design. However, digital printing can be beneficial for smaller custom runs as it can minimize the production of conventional printing plates.

Order Quantity

One of the most crucial elements influencing the price per box is quantity. When ordering in large volumes, setup, tooling, and production preparation costs can be distributed over more units. For instance, if you buy 2,000 boxes of a product, you would get a lower unit price than if you bought 200 boxes of the same product. But the bigger order involves more initial investment and storage space.

Special Finishes and Structural Features

Unique shapes and styles, custom inserts, die-cut handles, and special coatings can raise production expenses. When it comes to shipping packaging, consider the practical aspects and durability rather than the ornamentation that may not go over well with the customer.

How Does Order Quantity Affect Shipping Box Cost?

In the example below, the per-unit cost of a custom shipping box is illustrated by the volume of the box.

More quantity means a lower cost per box, but not necessarily the best choice for the business. Consider your sales forecast, available storage, and the risk of your packaging design changing before placing a bulk order.

Custom Shipping Boxes vs. Plain Shipping Boxes

For companies that need cost-effective delivery packaging, plain shipping boxes are an ideal choice. When it comes to shipping, there is a chance to replicate the brand experience and safeguard products during transit with custom shipping boxes.

Plain boxes are typically suitable for inbound/outbound shipments and warehouse applications where branding is not a requirement. For ecommerce companies, subscription services, retail brands, and those that directly ship their products to consumers, custom printed boxes are especially valuable. This depends on how much extra branding value they can get for the extra production cost.

How To Reduce Custom Shipping Box Costs?

Packaging quality doesn't have to be compromised when working with a budget. There are some practical steps that you can take to reduce your overall packaging costs. Select appropriate size: Do not use boxes that are larger than needed, which will use up too much material and increase shipping costs. Match the strength to the product: Single- or double-wall construction depends on the protection needed.

Compare prices across quantities: Ask about prices for varying quantities of orders to find the more cost-effective one. Minimize artwork: If there is no need for extensive printing, use a simple logo or limited color design.

Make a repeat order plan: Make a prediction of orders in advance to prevent frequent small orders, which have higher per-unit cost. Compare delivered prices: Find out if set up, artwork preparation, packaging, and freight are part of the quotation.

The above tips will assist you in considering the full price instead of just the advertised price per box.

Is It Worth It To Invest In Custom Shipping Boxes?

If the packaging is essential for branding, customer experience, or product protection, custom shipping boxes can be a valuable investment. Brands are also important for ecommerce companies, as they can help to create a sense of professionalism in deliveries and establish a consistent brand in the minds of customers. It can also convey handling instructions, repeat brand messages and increase repeat purchases. If you're moving items between your warehouses or to commercial clients, plain corrugated boxes might be a more economical choice. This should depend on your audience, product, and packaging budget.

What to Look For Before Asking for A Quote?

When you call a packaging supplier for a quote for custom shipping boxes, it is important to have all the necessary information you need prepared. Give the specifications for your boxes, order quantity, product weight, material desired, and any printing specifications. Specify if special inserts or extra protection is required for fragile products.

Additionally, make sure to check the production timeline, shipping costs, artwork/digital proof charges, and whether they offer a digital proof for approval before production. A clear specification allows suppliers to give a suitable recommendation for the box and makes it easier to compare competing quotes fairly.

Find Custom Shipping Boxes For Business

At Box Printing Hub, companies can discover custom-made packaging solutions customized to their items, branding, as well as delivery requirements. Whether it's branded shipping cartons or custom corrugated boxes, the right specifications can make for a balance of protection, presentation, and cost. For new packaging orders, please specify box size, quantity, and artwork needs to request a quote. You can also consult the strength of material and printing options before finalizing packaging.