How much do custom boxes cost? The six things that set the price
Quantity, size, board, print, finish and speed: what each one does to your unit price.
Six things set the price of a custom box: how many you order, the size, the board, how much print, the finish and how fast you need it. Quantity has the biggest effect. Going from 50 units to 500 typically cuts the unit price by close to half.
1. Quantity
Setup costs are the same for 50 boxes as for 5,000, so each box carries less of them when you order more. Prices drop in steps. The price-break table on every product page shows exactly where.
2. Size
A bigger box uses more board and prints more area. Cutting 2 cm off a dimension can lower the price noticeably across a large run.
3. Board
White SBS and kraft cost about the same. Rigid construction costs several times more than a folding carton because of the thick board and assembly.
4. Print coverage
Plain boxes cost the least. One-color print costs a little more. Full color outside costs more again, and printing the inside as well adds another step.
5. Finish
Lamination, foil, spot UV and emboss each add to the unit price and sometimes need a one-off tool. Choose one or two, not all of them.
6. Speed
Express and super express slots cost more because they move your job ahead of others.
How to estimate yours
Use our estimator to model different sizes, boards, print and finishes and see the price break for each quantity. For a firm price, send the project to us and we will confirm after an artwork check.
How to lower the cost
- Order one tier higher if the price break is steep.
- Use a standard size.
- Print outside only.
- Choose a single finish.
- Pick standard speed.