Custom Packaging for Small Business: Starter Guide

You've built an amazing product. Now it's time to package it in a way that reflects your brand's quality and professionalism. But where do you start?

This guide walks you through everything you need to know about getting custom packaging for your small business—from timing and budgeting to design and ordering.

When Is the Right Time for Custom Packaging?

Signs You're Ready

You should consider custom packaging when:

1. 1You're shipping 50+ orders per month

- Volume makes custom packaging cost-effective

- ROI becomes meaningful

1. 2Customers mention packaging

- Positive: They'll love branded even more

- Negative: Time to upgrade

1. 3You're getting social media traction

- Custom packaging increases shareability

- UGC potential multiplies

1. 4Competitors have branded packaging

- Plain boxes make you look less established

- Leveling up maintains competitiveness

1. 5You're entering retail or wholesale

- Retailers expect professional presentation

- First impressions matter

Signs It's Too Early

Consider waiting if:

• You're still finalizing product design
• Order volume is under 25/month
• Cash flow is extremely tight
• You might pivot product categories

Understanding Your Options

Packaging Types for Small Business

Mailer Boxes

• Self-locking corrugated boxes
• Best for: E-commerce, subscriptions
• Price range: $0.45-$2.00/unit

Rigid Boxes

• Premium presentation boxes
• Best for: Gifts, luxury items
• Price range: $2.00-$10.00/unit

Folding Cartons

• Lightweight printed boxes
• Best for: Retail, cosmetics
• Price range: $0.30-$1.50/unit

Poly Mailers

• Flexible plastic envelopes
• Best for: Clothing, soft goods
• Price range: $0.15-$0.50/unit

Paper Bags

• Printed shopping bags
• Best for: Retail, events
• Price range: $0.25-$1.00/unit

What's Included (and What's Extra)

Typically Included:

• Single-color or full-color printing
• Standard cardboard materials
• Basic design templates

Often Extra:

• Inside printing
• Premium finishes (matte, gloss)
• Special finishes (foil, emboss)
• Custom sizes
• Design services

Budgeting for Custom Packaging

How Much to Spend

Rule of Thumb: Packaging should cost 2-5% of your product's retail price.

Total Investment Calculation

Example for 500 units:

• Boxes: $0.75 × 500 = $375
• Tissue paper: $0.10 × 500 = $50
• Stickers: $0.05 × 500 = $25
• Thank you cards: $0.15 × 500 = $75
• Total: $525 or $1.05/order

Hidden Costs to Plan For

1. 1Shipping (often $50-200 for small orders)
2. 2Design fees (if not using free services)
3. 3Samples (before full order)
4. 4Storage (space for inventory)
5. 5Reorders (when you run out)

Designing Your Packaging

What You Need Before Starting

Brand Assets:

• Logo (high-resolution, vector preferred)
• Brand colors (Pantone or CMYK values)
• Fonts (or font names)
• Tagline or slogan

Product Information:

• Exact dimensions (measure twice!)
• Weight
• Any special requirements

Design Direction:

• Examples you like
• Competitor packaging to reference
• Mood/feeling you want

Design Options

1. Use Free Templates

• Most suppliers offer templates
• Upload your logo
• Customize colors
• Quick and affordable

2. Free Design Services

• Some suppliers (like Brisk) offer free design
• Work with professional designers
• Get multiple concepts
• Best for non-designers

3. Hire a Designer

• Full creative control
• Custom illustrations
• Premium result
• Cost: $200-$2,000+

Design Tips for Small Businesses

Keep It Simple

• One or two colors often looks better than many
• Let white space breathe
• Logo doesn't need to be huge

Think About Inside

• A thank you message costs little, adds much
• Inside printing creates surprise
• Consider the reveal moment

Plan for Evolution

• Design that can grow with you
• Avoid dating with year/trends
• Leave room for product line expansion

Choosing a Supplier

Key Factors to Compare

Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)

• Look for 100-250 unit minimums
• Higher MOQs lock you into more inventory
• Test before scaling

Pricing

• Per-unit cost at your quantity
• Compare apples to apples (same specs)
• Include shipping in calculation

Turnaround Time

• Standard: 7-14 days
• Rush: 3-7 days (often extra cost)
• Plan ahead to avoid rush fees

Design Support

• Templates only vs. full design service
• Revision policy
• Mockup quality

Quality

• Request samples before ordering
• Check reviews from similar businesses
• Ask for references

Questions to Ask Suppliers

1. 1What's included in the quoted price?
2. 2Can I see physical samples?
3. 3What's your actual turnaround time?
4. 4Is shipping included?
5. 5What if I need to make changes mid-production?
6. 6How do you handle quality issues?
7. 7What's the reorder process?

The Ordering Process

Step-by-Step

1. Request Quotes (Day 1-3)

• Contact 2-3 suppliers
• Provide same specs to each
• Compare total costs including shipping

2. Request Samples (Day 3-10)

• Get physical samples
• Check material quality
• Verify color accuracy

3. Finalize Design (Day 10-17)

• Work with design team
• Review mockups
• Get stakeholder approval

4. Approve Proof (Day 17-19)

• Review final digital proof
• Check all details (spelling, placement)
• Sign off on production

5. Production (Day 19-29)

• Supplier manufactures your order
• Quality control checks
• Packaging for shipping

6. Delivery (Day 29-35)

• Shipped to your location
• Inspect upon arrival
• Report any issues immediately

Timeline Summary

Total time: 4-5 weeks from first contact to delivery

Plan accordingly for product launches and busy seasons!

After You Order

Receiving Your Order

Inspect immediately:

• Correct quantity
• Print quality
• Color accuracy
• No damage
• Construction quality

Document issues with photos and contact supplier within 48 hours.

Storage Tips

• Keep boxes flat until needed
• Store in dry, climate-controlled area
• Rotate stock (first in, first out)
• Label shelves for easy finding

Reordering

Track your usage:

• How many boxes per month
• Lead time for reorders
• Minimum stock level trigger

Build in buffer:

• Reorder when 4-6 weeks of stock remains
• Account for seasonal spikes
• Plan for supplier delays

Growing Your Packaging

As You Scale

250-500 orders/month:

• Consider multiple size options
• Add inside printing
• Upgrade finishes

500-1,000 orders/month:

• Negotiate volume pricing
• Explore premium options
• Consider private label inserts

1,000+ orders/month:

• Custom structural designs
• Full packaging system (boxes, tissue, cards)
• Explore direct manufacturer relationships

Adding to Your Packaging System

Start basic, add over time:

Stage 1: The Basics

• Custom box
• Generic tissue paper
• Printed thank you card

Stage 2: Level Up

• Inside printing on box
• Branded stickers
• Branded tissue paper

Stage 3: Full Experience

• Premium finishes
• Custom inserts
• Seasonal variations
• Loyalty program elements

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. 1Ordering too many too soon

- Start with 100-250

- Test and refine

- Then scale up

1. 2Skipping samples

- Always get physical samples

- Colors differ screen vs. print

- Feel the material

1. 3Over-designing

- Simple often works better

- Busy designs look cheap

- Leave breathing room

1. 4Forgetting the inside

- The reveal matters

- Inside printing is affordable

- Thank you messages work

1. 5Wrong size

- Measure product carefully

- Account for void fill

- Too big wastes money, too small damages

Ready to Start?

Custom packaging transforms how customers experience your brand. It's an investment that pays dividends in:

• Professional perception
• Customer loyalty
• Social media sharing
• Repeat purchases

At Brisk Packaging, we specialize in helping small businesses get started with custom packaging:

• 100-unit minimums so you can test first
• Free design service if you need help
• 7-10 day turnaround to get you started quickly
• Free samples to feel before you commit

Your packaging journey starts with one step. Make it count.