Customized packaging is very important in rebranding and enhancing the customer experience. In addition to protecting the product, packaging can be a marketing tool – telling the brand story, communicating value, and even influencing repurchase rates.
China is a global powerhouse of customized packaging, offering a wide range of materials, designs and production techniques at very competitive prices. For companies that need to do customized product packaging, it is crucial to understand how to save costs and create innovative designs. This post will examine several key points of customized packaging in the following 6 areas.
- 1.Customized packaging from Chinese supplier or US print store?
- 2.Preparation before customized packaging
- 3.The process of customized packaging from China
- 4.The cost of customized packaging from China
- 5. Do Chinese suppliers accept small customized packages?
- 6.How can Goodcan help you get affordable packaging from China?
1.Customized packaging from Chinese supplier or US print store?
If your product is about to go live or a promotion is happening soon and you don’t have time to wait for a long international shipment, local US customization is more appropriate. Many local US print stores can fulfill orders within a few more days.
Print Shop USA offers the flexibility of producing small quantities. You can order 10 to 50 boxes, which is very convenient for companies testing new product lines.
The high production costs of U.S. print stores, especially labor, equipment and material costs, result in significantly higher unit prices for custom packaging than Chinese suppliers. This difference is even more pronounced if the order volume is high.
Chinese suppliers are often able to offer a wide range of packaging types and processes, such as UV printing, shaped cutting and eco-friendly materials. For customers who need unique designs and innovative materials, they can meet a variety of customization needs.
If you have a limited budget but need professional-grade customized packaging, China suppliers can help you achieve high-quality design while keeping costs under control. This is especially true for e-commerce sellers and wholesalers.
If your business has an increased demand for packaging (e.g., thousands to tens of thousands of pieces), the advantage of scale production from Chinese suppliers is perfect for you. As order volumes increase, unit prices drop significantly, helping you save money.
2.Preparation before customized packaging
Customized packaging is an important part of the product’s outerwear and the first language that brands use to communicate with consumers. To create packaging that looks good and is functional, you need to prepare in a number of ways before you begin.
- The choice of packaging type needs to be made according to the characteristics and use of the product: carton packaging, plastic bags or film, rigid gift boxes, sustainable packaging.
- Measure the length, width and height of the product, and then consider whether you need extra space for fillers or instructions.
- Customized packaging includes: material cost, design cost and production cost. With limited budget, you can choose single color printing or ready-made molds, which will reduce the production cost.
- Common packaging add-ons include: adding tote bags or handles, designing tear lines, zipper openings or snap closures, tamper-evident logos, divider liners, etc.
- The printing on the package are: hot stamping/silver stamping, intaglio printing, eco-friendly printing and so on.
3.The process of customized packaging from China
Customized packaging is not only a product’s outerwear, but also an important part of your brand’s image. Whether you customize your packaging process from us or from a Chinese supplier, it is divided into the following main steps.
1. Select your customized packaging type, size and material
The first step in customizing your packaging is to choose different packaging depending on the type of product. If you are a food or cosmetic product, a carton, plastic bottle or aluminum foil pouch would be preferred.
The size of the package should ensure that it matches the actual size of the product. Packaging that is too large not only wastes material, but may also lead to high transportation costs; while packaging that is too small will not effectively protect the product.
When choosing packaging materials, it is important to consider cost, environmental friendliness and durability. For example, cardboard is one of the most commonly used materials and is suitable for most products; if you’re environmentally conscious, you might opt for recyclable materials, or biodegradable packaging. Each material has a different cost and texture, so make your choice based on your budget and brand positioning.
2. Start package design and confirm specifications
Packaging needs to be designed not only to fit the image of the product, but also to be able to appeal to the target audience. The designer will create a package design that is both aesthetically pleasing and functional, based on the brand logo, color scheme and positioning of the product. You will need to determine the appearance of the package, the printing method (e.g. foil stamping, embossing), and the details (e.g. labels, graphics, etc.).
Once the design is complete, you will need to confirm the exact specifications of the packaging with the supplier. For example, whether the package needs to be printed with special features (e.g. anti-counterfeiting labels), whether it needs to be lined to protect the product, or whether it needs to have a transparent window to display the product. Make sure that every specification is confirmed.
3. Produce and validate packaging samples, then start production
After the sample is made, you will receive an actual packaging sample. This sample is a validation of the design and materials, you need to carefully check its quality, color, size whether it meets the expectations, and confirm the details of the package, such as printing effect and material touch, etc.
If the samples meet your requirements, you can confirm the samples and enter the mass production stage. If there are any details that need to be modified, you can propose changes until the final sample is satisfactory. After completing the confirmation of the sample, the production will start formally and the package will be made according to the requirements of mass production and shipped within the specified time.
4.The cost of customized packaging from China
Customized product boxes from China have a clear advantage in terms of cost, especially for large volume orders or companies with limited budgets. Compared to Europe and the United States, it is usually 30%-70% cheaper.
From small to large quantities of customized packaging, the unit price of each order will be related to factors such as the number of customizations, materials, and design complexity.
Customized packaging using the use of ordinary corrugated cardboard boxes is a little less expensive, high-end cardboard gift boxes or wooden packaging is more expensive, biodegradable paper or recycled plastic will be slightly more expensive.
Custom packaging with simple one-color printing costs less, multi-color printing, hot stamping, UV laser process will be more expensive.
Taking an ordinary corrugated box as an example, China may quote $0.50-$1.00/pc, while Europe and America may quote $1.50-$3.00/pc.
This table below allows for a more visual comparison of actual prices:
| Order Quantity | Chinese Suppliers | European and American suppliers | Price difference |
| 500 boxes | $0.80/pc, total $400 | $2.00/pc, total $1000 | Approx. 60% variance |
| 1000 boxes | $0.65/pc, total $650 | $1.50/pc, total $1500 | Approx. 57% variation |
| 5000 boxes | $0.50/each, total $2500 | $1.00/each, total $5000 | Approx. 50% variance |
Ask us for precise, good packaging quotes.
5. Do Chinese suppliers accept small customized packages?
Yes, most Chinese suppliers can accept small quantities of customized packaging, but there are some prerequisites that need to be met.
Many Chinese suppliers usually require higher MOQ, such as 1000, 5000 or even more, for production cost and efficiency reasons. However, there are also small or neutral suppliers who will accept a lower MOQ to attract customers, possibly around 300 or even 100 pcs. Some suppliers allow small lot production, but may add a tooling charge or extra charge to cover the cost.
It is also important to note that small orders may have a lower priority and longer production and delivery times. So when signing a contract with a supplier for an order, the delivery date will be agreed in the contract as well.
If you’re willing to spend a little more time looking, you can also find small-volume suppliers for your business on platforms like Alibaba. If you’re a startup or in the test market stage, small-volume orders are expensive but can reduce inventory buildup and cash flow pressure.
6.How can Goodcan help you get affordable packaging from China?
A local sourcing company based in Yiwu with experience working with over 5,000 companies around the world, Goodcan has built strong, long-term partnerships with a wide range of print and packaging manufacturers across China. Whether you are a start-up company looking for a cost-effective solution or a well-known brand looking for customized packaging at a competitive price, Goodcan can simplify the process.
We do a lot of business with trusted suppliers so we can negotiate great prices. Offering you a lower MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) than most direct manufacturers, making it ideal for startups or small businesses with limited budgets. If you intend to produce 500 or 1000 customized boxes, we can guarantee competitive pricing that many manufacturers will not offer for such quantities.
We offer sourcing services for small businesses or startups and also provide tailored support. Our team can assist you with product packaging design. From choosing the right materials to confirming package dimensions and ensuring your packaging meets market headlines, we will help guide you every step of the way.
Unlike many suppliers who require large volume orders, we offer lower minimum order quantities to help you avoid unnecessary inventory and reduce upfront costs. Whether you are looking for 500 or 100 pieces, we can offer you competitive pricing and high quality.
Before we begin mass production, we create a sample of your customized packaging. This sample gives you the opportunity to evaluate all aspects (design, materials, durability, and overall appearance) before proceeding to full-scale production. Any necessary adjustments are made at this stage to ensure that the final product matches your vision.
Once the packaging is complete, we carry out a final inspection to confirm that each box, bag or other packaged item meets the agreed specifications. We check for any defects, such as uneven printing, color inconsistencies or physical damage, to ensure that your packaging arrives looking intact.
With Goodcan, buying affordable customized packaging from China is no longer a complicated task. We make the process simple, cost-effective, and tailored to your needs.