How much does it cost to make this box?
Your biggest question is:
How much will these boxes cost?
My biggest questions back to you are:
What size/structure is your box?
What type of material is the box made of?
What kind of graphics and decoration do you want on the box?
What is your quantity?
How soon do you need it?
If you know all of this, I can give you a pretty quick answer! However, if you don’t have the answers, that’s why I’m here. Let’s go through each of these to get you some pricing!
SIZE & STRUCTURE
When it comes to folding cartons or rigid boxes, there is this universal way to measure a box: Length x Width x Depth. Be sure to call these out in the right order. If you want more information on how to measure different structures, this PDF will help you: How to Measure a Box Like a Pro. There are some structural questions I’ll ask as well.
MATERIAL
The paperboard you use to construct the box needs to be figured out early on. There are lots of choices but the typical paperboard for a folding carton is white and coated on one side. It’s called SBS. You’ll need to specify what caliper or thickness the board is as well. Most common caliper is 18 point.
GRAPHICS & DECORATION
Ah yes, the big question! What kind of artwork will you have on your box? Will it be your logo just foil stamped? Or maybe an overall pattern printed in multi colors…this makes a big difference in pricing and in how the box will be printed. Will you want printing on the inside of the box as well? Answering these questions gets you closer to a price!
QUANTITY
Some packaging can be branded for really low quantities. Other types can not. I like to think that it’s better to have a total cost allocated for packaging as you’re beginning your branded journey instead of a per unit cost. Quantity dictates unit price.
Quantity can determine which print processes the box will be printed with. Basic choices are digital, sheetfed offset and sometimes flexography or screen printing. I’ll help you with that! Just let me know your quantity and I’ll recommend the process.
TIMELINE
Maybe you’ve got an upcoming tradeshow or you have a solid launch date. Best thing I can tell you is to START EARLY bringing your packaging partner in! You get your best work out of me (and I may be speaking for all printers and packaging peeps here) when you bring me in early. There are so many variables in production and so many in the design planning that leaving us until the end can be painful for all.
Now that you know what you need to tell me, you can fill in the form here to get started!
