How Much Does it Cost to Make Custom Packaging?

Custom packaging add-ons can help increase brand recognition and customer retention, but can come at dditional costs.

Jun 25, 2025 - 21:30
 4
How Much Does it Cost to Make Custom Packaging?
How Much Does it Cost to Make Custom Packaging?

Custom packaging provides customers with an engaging experience, including personal touches such as handwritten thank you notes or adding a trinket that complements the product inside. Custom packaging add-ons can help increase brand recognition and customer retention, but can come at dditional costs. Knowing how much custom packaging costs can help businesses plan appropriately.

Material

Custom packaging can make an effective statement about their company to customers, but its costs depend on various considerations such as designcomplexity, order volume, materials used and customer preference. Materials like corrugated fiberboard are lightweight yet sturdy - ideal for shipping fragile products - while rigid paperboard conveys more premium feel for luxury brands.

Custom packaging costs vary based on its printing method and finishing options, each of which have unique costs associated with them. Gloss coating gives boxes an eye-catching shine while matte finishes offer more of a classic appearance; choosing the appropriate finish can help achieve the look you desire at an affordable cost.

Printing

Custom packaging costs depend heavily on the printing process and materials, with different types of printing techniques having differing costs; for instance, flexographic is more expensive than digital. Furthermore, rigid boxes usually cost more than folding cartons. Artwork design is another key factor that impacts the cost of custom packaging.

This process entails creating an accurate representation of your brand with logos, typography and colors incorporated in an attractive package design - but its costs could be high depending on both the expertise of your designer and complexity of the project.

Material choices impact packaging costs; eco-friendly options tend to be more costly than their conventional counterparts. Custom sizes and dimensions, as well as features like hang holes or reclosable zippers, may increase costs per unit. However, purchasing in bulk can significantly lower per-unit costs; you could even save by opting for stock options tailored specifically for your product line.

Finishes

Packaging can create an emotional bond between customers and your brand, as well as display its personality and values. Investment in custom packaging may help increase sales while building loyalty from existing customer bases. When selecting packaging materials and finishes, keep several factors in mind when making a selection. Consider materials, colours/designs desired, cost effectiveness of options chosen and buying in bulk to achieve economies of scale savings on per unit costs.

Artwork and tooling fees can make up a substantial part of packaging costs, including logo application. Applying brand elements requires multiple print plates for each colour - digital printing offers a cost-saving alternative by eliminating this need and significantly cutting costs. Additional factors affecting the overall cost of custom packaging include size and shape as well as any features such as reclosable zippers or hang holes that add functionality and value. Unfortunately, such additional features will come at an extra expense.

Size

Size and dimensions play an essential part in custom packaging costs, from materials used to the printing process. Selecting appropriate sizes can reduce material and shipping expenses while choosing quality materials conveys your brand's image. Complex designs also influence pricing, with intricate details requiring more time and resources for refinement. Additional features like reclosable zippers or hang holes may increase functionality while simultaneously adding cost; ordering multiple units together can bring economies of scale benefits and bring down per unit pricing.

Artwork design is another key consideration, with complex logos and branding needing more work than simple shapes and colors. Printing techniques also have an effect, with digital being best-suited for smaller orders while flexographic is preferred for larger orders. Finally, tooling fees must also be factored in to produce dies for cutting and shaping custom packaging - these costs may seem high at first, but can quickly be offset when repeated orders or selling to large retailers are taken into consideration.

Design

Design can be costly, but it is an integral component of creating packaging that will impress your customers. Your choice of design depends on your product, market and branding goals; for instance products targeting children or seniors should include designs that are both appealing and easily readable. Packaging type also plays a large part in cost. Selecting an ideal package size and material can significantly decrease waste and shipping fees, and production and storage expenses.

Using materials such as crinkle paper, airfill or bubble wrap protect fragile products during shipment without risk of being crushed during transit. Other factors that influence packaging costs include printing techniques and finishes. Different forms of printing require differing amounts of time and labor to produce; additionally, certain finishes such as gloss coating or soft touch film have significant impacts on pricing.