Custom packaging costs are crucial for businesses striving to optimize their packaging strategies and improve their profitability ratios. This helps the brands make realistic budgets and effective pricing strategies. The cost calculations of materials, printing methods, and finishes allow businesses to enhance their product presentation with the desired packaging quality.
Custom packaging cost calculations help businesses make informed decisions and allocate the available resources effectively. This compels the brand to prioritize packaging investment and increases the chances of success in the competitive market. To further understand the factors associated with custom packaging costs, let’s have a look at the article below:
What is Custom Packaging?
Custom packaging is designed for a specific brand or product in custom dimensions to stand out on retail store shelves or online platforms. It can be tailored concerning packaging style, color contrast, materials, or graphics to fulfill the product packaging needs and branding goals. Custom packaging crafts snug fits for the products and efficiently presents them in the competitive marketplace. It ensures the safety of products during transportation and offers customers an amazing unboxing experience.
What do We mean by Cost of Custom Packaging?
The cost of custom packaging refers to all the expenses associated with designing and producing innovative packaging to fulfill specific product needs. The price depends upon the quality of the packaging materials. The materials mostly used for custom packaging are sustainable as they are manufactured using natural resources. The size, shape, and custom packaging style affect the overall cost and could lead to more time, labor & expenses. Large order quantities also lower the per-unit cost. The selection of printing and finishing methods also has a great impact on the cost. Embossing, debossing, or foil stamping could increase the price due to its intricate design procedure.
What is the Exact Cost of Custom Packaging?
There is no exact cost of custom packaging. However, the cost depends upon a few important factors including the material selection, printing methods, and finishing options. To understand it more, let’s have a look at each factor mentioned below:
Material Selection
The selection of material has a great impact on the custom packaging cost. Eco-friendly Packaging materials including corrugated cardboard, paperboard, and kraft paper are cost-effective while rigid materials increase the cost due to their luxurious outlook. The thickness of the materials augments the sturdiness but also increases the cost. Therefore, the material should be chosen according to the desired packaging quality and the sustainability goals.
- Corrugated
Corrugated cardboard is a strong and durable material, holding flutes between the layers of cardboard sheets to ensure the safety of products during storage, handling, or shipping.
- Kraft
Kraft paper holds an organic brown color and is made with wood pulp to give your products a natural outlook. This is mostly utilized in the production of envelopes, bags, and wrapping papers.
- Rigid
Rigid is a premium packaging material, manufactured using chipboard to give products a luxurious presentation. This maintains its shape and gives products amazing display on retail store shelves.
Printing Methods
The printing method is chosen according to the packaging design, the order quantity, and the available turnaround time. There are different types of printing methods available to help the brands decide according to their packaging preferences:
- Digital Printing
Digital printing is suitable for small order quantities with small turnaround time and complex designs. This is generally used for short runs and variable designing.
- Offset Printing
Offset printing is preferable for large order quantities, requiring high-quality graphics and color consistency. This is a cost-effective technique as it reduces the per-unit cost.
- Flexographic Printing
Flexographic printing is preferred for flexible packaging materials. This is quite a cost-effective method for high-volume production and repetitive designing.
Finishing Options
The choice of finishing options holds a great impact on custom packaging costs. The matte or gloss ones are relatively inexpensive than the embossing, debossing, spot UV, or foil stamping. The more finishes you order for your custom packaging, the more will be its overall cost.
- Varnish
Varnish is a transparent coating applied on the surface of printed packaging material to enhance its overall outlook. This enhances the durability of custom product packaging and protects it from moisture, scuffs, or scratches.
- Lamination
In lamination, a thin layer of plastic film is applied on the surface of printed packaging material to create a protective barrier against damage. This improves the overall visual appeal of the product packaging.
- Wax Coating
Wax coating is a process of applying a thin layer of wax on the surface of the printed packaging material to enhance its overall appearance. This is mostly used in food packaging to prevent grease or oil stains.
Are There More Factors to Consider When Calculating the Cost of Custom Packaging?
Yes, there are more factors to consider when calculating the cost of custom packaging. Some of these factors are mentioned below:
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Product Design
The product design has a great impact on the overall cost of custom packaging. This includes product dimensions, product weight, type, and functionality. The larger the packaging size, the more will be its material cost and the shipping cost. The use of custom box inserts or specialized cushioning material could also increase the packaging cost. The labeling, stickers, and enhanced security features could also significantly increase the custom packaging cost.
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Business Type
Businesses choose custom packaging according to the product type, desired level of protection, and presentation in the competitive marketplace. Jewelry and cosmetics often require premium packaging with intricate design details and high-quality finishes. However, e-commerce businesses need durable materials to withstand the tough shipping procedures. The food and beverage industry prioritizes food safety, health, hygiene, and insulation. These are the factors that have a great impact on the overall packaging cost.
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Complexity of Artwork
The complex artwork designs generally require specialized printing techniques and premium finishing methods, that increase the overall packaging cost. This includes intricate patterns, textures, typographies, or detailed images, that may require more time and expenses. This also involves the creation of dieline templates and special effects that increase packaging costs.
What is the Difference Between Custom Packaging and Pre-Made Packaging?
- Custom packaging is tailored to specific product packaging needs. It holds innovative packaging designs crafted in custom product dimensions with the chosen materials, printing methods, and finishing techniques to enhance brand recognition in the competitive marketplace.
- Pre-made packaging is readily available packaging created in specific sizes and shapes with limited design options to ensure your product protection.
The following contrast table will make you clearly understand the difference between the two types of packaging:
|
Feature |
Custom Packaging |
Pre-made Packaging |
|
Design |
Manufactured to fulfill specific product packaging requirements |
Standard size with minimal designing |
|
Dimensions |
Customizable to design perfect fits for the products |
Limited to available stock sizes and shapes |
|
Materials |
Various material options including kraft, paperboard, corrugated cardboard, and rigid |
Offered in standard materials |
|
Printing & Finishing |
Wide range of printing and finishing options to achieve the desired outlook |
Limited to minimal designing and fewer color combinations |
|
Turnaround Time |
A little long turnaround time due to customization, designing, production, and delivery process. |
Short time as stock is readily available for delivery.
|
|
Cost |
Generally higher due to customization. |
Typically, Low due to mass production. |
|
Brand Recognition |
Help the brand stand out on retail or online platforms. |
Do not offer a competitive edge in the market. |
Why Understanding Custom Packaging Cost is Important?
Understanding custom packaging costs is important to predict the packaging expenses and make informed decisions about the materials, design, or production procedures. Packaging cost has a direct impact on the overall product cost. Therefore, the business should focus on accurate cost analysis, helping them design an appropriate strategy to remain profitable while being competitive in the market. This improves the allocation of resources, makes effective budgeting plans, and prioritizes custom packaging to be recognized among the target audience.
Why Use Custom Packaging for Your Business?
Custom packaging offers businesses a wide range of benefits. It helps the brand enjoy a significant position while making the product prominent on retail store shelves. This effectively communicates the brand message with sustainable packaging and a luxurious outlook. Custom packaging crafts the perfect fit to ensure product protection and offers the customers a memorable unboxing experience. The packaging highlights the product features and entices potential buyers to make repetitive purchases.
Where To Get Customized Packaging Boxes?
To get customized packaging boxes, search for a leading packaging manufacturer offering amazing services at competitive prices. Box Agency is a hub of packaging professionals, operating tirelessly to offer custom packaging boxes at lower market prices. Our focus is to make your brand recognized and profitable with sustainable packaging solutions. Our experts discuss the client’s requirements and help them choose the best while being within their packaging budget. For further details, contact our customer service representative and initiate your brand transformation journey with low minimums.
