Why there is no single price list
A custom box is a combination of choices: size, structure, board, print, finishes, quantity and delivery. Change one of them and the price per box changes too. That is why an accurate quote always starts with a short specification — and why two quotes for "a printed box" can differ widely.
1. Quantity
Every job has fixed set-up costs: printing plates, the cutting die, and the time to set up and colour-balance the press. On a small run these costs are shared by few boxes; on a large run they almost disappear in the price per box. This is the single biggest reason why the unit price falls as quantity rises. Our offset vs digital guide explains how the printing method affects this.
2. Box style and size
Boxes are printed and cut from large sheets. The size and shape of the flat box decide how many fit on one sheet — and therefore how much board and press time each box uses. A few millimetres can change the layout. More complex structures, such as crash-lock bottoms, inserts, windows or rigid boxes, add production steps.
3. Board type and thickness
Recycled GD2 board is the most economical white board; virgin fibre GC1/GC2 and SBS cost more but print brighter. Kraft, corrugated board and rigid greyboard each have their own price level. Thicker board costs more per sheet. Our guide comparing kraft and white board explains the options.
4. Print
Standard CMYK printing is the base. Each Pantone spot colour adds a printing plate and ink; large solid areas use more ink and need more care; printing on the inside of the box is an extra pass. A simple design with fewer colours is usually cheaper than a full-coverage, multi-Pantone design.
5. Finishes
Lamination, hot foil, embossing and spot UV are applied after printing. Each one is an additional production step, and foil and embossing also need their own tooling (blocks and dies). One well-chosen finish often gives most of the premium effect at a fraction of the cost of several.
6. Cutting die
A new box size needs its own cutting die. It is a one-off tooling cost and can typically be reused for re-orders of the same box, which is one reason why repeat orders are often cheaper than the first.
7. Assembly and packing
Folding cartons are glued by machine and shipped flat. Rigid boxes, inserts and hand-finished details need manual work. Export packing, palletising and labelling for your warehouse also belong in the price.
8. Delivery
Flat-packed cartons travel efficiently; rigid boxes ship as volume. The delivery terms — collected from the production facility (EXW), delivered to your address (DAP) or delivered with duties paid (DDP) — decide which costs are included in the quote.
Cost drivers at a glance
| Increases the cost | How to save | |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Very small runs | Order for several months; plan re-orders |
| Style and size | Complex structures, poor sheet usage | Standard styles; check sizes that fit the sheet well |
| Board | Premium or thick board | Choose the board for the product, not the highest grade |
| Many Pantone colours, inside print | Fewer colours; CMYK where exact matching is not needed | |
| Finishes | Several effects combined | One well-placed finish |
| Cutting die | New die for every size change | Keep sizes consistent across your range |
What to send for an accurate quote
- Box style and inner dimensions
- Quantity per design, and expected re-orders
- Board preference (or the product, so we can recommend)
- Colours (CMYK, Pantone references) and finishes
- Delivery address and preferred delivery terms
- Artwork, if available
Send these details and we will reply with a clear quotation and, where useful, suggestions to reduce the cost.
