Custom Packaging Samples: What Each One Proves
MOQ: 500 pieces per product / design. Plan the quantity for each design in your brief.
A sample is not one thing. Three different samples answer three different questions, and mixing them up is how brands approve a box that fails in the hand.
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Do you charge for samples?
A sample is not one thing. Three different samples answer three different questions, and mixing them up is how brands approve a box that fails in the hand.
| Sample | What it proves | Typical timing |
|---|---|---|
| Stock sample | Structure and material feel | Days, subject to supplier stock |
| Printed dummy | Print, colour and finish on the chosen stock | Around a week after artwork |
| Pre-production sample | The actual construction, insert fit and closure | Before the run, after all specs are locked |
What a sample cannot prove
Closure strength, material performance, dimensions and transport protection all depend on the specific construction and the specific supplier. A sample establishes what you can see and hold; it does not establish that a specification is production-ready.
What to check before approving
- Product locates without force, and leaves without tools.
- Lid, tuck or magnet closes the way the finished pack will be handled.
- Print registration and colour match the approved proof.
- Insert contact points match the product surface finish.
Frequently asked questions
Do you charge for samples?
Sample cost and courier are quoted per project, because they depend on the supplier and the construction.
How long does a sample take?
Confirmed per project with the supplier; a printed dummy is typically around a week after artwork.
Can I approve production from a photo?
No. Photos show appearance, not fit, closure or protection. Approve from a physical sample.
Does a sample count toward the 500-piece MOQ?
No, samples are separate from the production run.
What do you need before sampling?
Dimensions, product weight, quantity, destination, artwork or direction, and the insert requirement.
What if the sample is wrong?
That is the point of sampling: the construction or artwork is corrected before the run, not after.
Send a brief
Product, dimensions, quantity and destination are enough to start. A person reviews the brief; no automatic quotes.