How Much Does Custom Packaging Cost?
MOQ: 500 pieces per product / design. Plan the quantity for each design in your brief.
Custom packaging is priced per project, not per catalogue. The reference below shows what 500 pieces of a stock-style box costs ex-works Shenzhen in October 2026, before logo printing, freight and duties.
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How much does custom packaging cost for a small brand?
Custom packaging is priced per project, not per catalogue. The reference below shows what 500 pieces of a stock-style box costs ex-works Shenzhen in October 2026, before logo printing, freight and duties.
| Box type | Reference range | What moves the price |
|---|---|---|
| Drawer jewelry box | US$0.10–0.33 per box | Board thickness, wrap paper, insert type, magnet vs none |
| Rigid magnetic jewelry box | US$0.27–0.98 per box | Lid construction, magnet count, velvet vs foam insert |
| Folding carton / mailer | Quoted per specification | Flute grade, print coverage, die-cut complexity, quantity |
| Labels and inserts | Quoted per specification | Material, print colours, die-cut, roll vs sheet |
These are supplier reference ranges, not quotes. Materials, print and quantity change the number; confirm with a written quotation.
What these ranges assume
- Rigid chipboard 1.5–2 mm, wrapped in 157 gsm art paper
- Standard foam or paperboard insert, one cavity layout
- No magnet unless the row says magnetic; no ribbon pull
- 500 pieces per design, packed in export cartons, ex-works Shenzhen
A ±20% swing on any of these inputs is normal. If your box differs, the row is a starting point, not a price.
Worked example: what landed cost looks like
Illustrative only, not a quote. A rigid magnetic jewelry box at US$0.45 ex-works, 500 pieces: printing US$0.06 per box, one-off die US$120 spread across the run (US$0.24), sampling US$80 one-off (US$0.16), coordination fee 8–15% on production value, then freight and duties by mode and destination. The per-box number you actually pay is a landed number, and freight is usually the largest variable outside the box itself.
If you need fewer than 500
Custom print below 500 pieces is not offered — the print set-up is spread over too few units to make the per-box price sensible. The two routes that work are a stock structure with your logo printed at 500, or holding the balance of a 500-piece run for a second colourway or launch.
What to send for a price
- Product dimensions and weight
- Box style and whether an insert is needed
- Quantity per design
- Destination country and postcode
- Print direction — no final artwork needed for a range
Five inputs that move the quote
- Quantity. MOQ is 500 pieces per design; below that the print set-up is spread over fewer units.
- Board and paper. Chipboard thickness and the wrap paper grade are the two largest material levers.
- Print and finish. Foil, emboss and spot UV add set-up cost per run, not per box.
- Insert. A die-cut paperboard insert is usually cheaper than flocked foam at the same volume.
- Structure. Hand-assembled rigid boxes cost more than a folding carton that ships flat.
What is not in the reference range
Logo printing, tooling (where applicable), sampling, freight, duties and the Packrivo coordination fee of 8–15% on production value. The fee basis is agreed in writing before paid work starts.
Frequently asked questions
How much does custom packaging cost for a small brand?
At 500 pieces, a drawer jewelry box is typically US$0.10–0.33 per box and a rigid magnetic jewelry box US$0.27–0.98 per box, ex-works Shenzhen, before printing and freight. Folding cartons and mailers depend on flute and print coverage.
Is 500 pieces the real minimum?
Yes — 500 pieces per product and design. Two designs means 500 each. Below that, print set-up and hand assembly are spread over fewer units and the per-unit price rises sharply.
Does the price include logo printing?
No. The reference range is the plain box. Logo printing, foil or emboss are quoted separately because they carry a per-run set-up cost.
What does Packrivo charge?
A coordination fee of 8–15% on production value, with the calculation basis agreed in writing before paid work starts. Supplier costs, coordination scope and fee basis appear on the quotation.
Can I get a quote without final artwork?
Yes. Dimensions, quantity, destination and a rough design direction are enough for a first range. Final artwork is needed before a production sample.
Why is my quote higher than the reference range?
The range assumes stock structures and standard wrap paper at 500 pieces. Custom sizes, thicker board, magnets, speciality paper or low quantity all move it.
How long are these reference ranges valid?
They are checked monthly; treat them as valid for about 30 days from the reference month shown, then re-quote. Paper and board prices move.
What exactly is the 8–15% fee charged on?
On production value — the supplier cost of the boxes — not on freight or duties. The calculation basis is written into the quotation before any paid work starts.
Send a brief
Product, dimensions, quantity and destination are enough to start. A person reviews the brief; no automatic quotes.