Frequently Asked Questions
The packaging you choose for your business depends on various factors such as the type of products you ship, your budget, and your long-term goals. For instance, custom packing tape can be a cost-effective way to brand your shipments while monitoring your budget. Custom printed poly mailers can help you stand out from the competition and keep your shipping costs low. Custom boxes and tissue paper can enhance the unboxing experience and make your products look more valuable. As you gain confidence and grow your budget, you can add more custom packaging options to your lineup.
Absolutely, the choice of material will have a significant impact on how your design will appear on your custom packaging. The texture and finish of the material, as well as the printing process used, can greatly affect the final product.
For example, if you choose a matte texture or darker material such as kraft boxes, your colors and images may appear darker and more subdued. On the other hand, if you opt for glossy or brighter materials like custom poly mailers, your colors may appear brighter and more impactful. By considering your branding and the desired look you want to achieve, you can leverage different textures and materials to your advantage and create a unique, eye-catching design for your custom packaging.
Generally, there are no limits to the number of colors you can use when designing your custom-branded packaging. However, the printing process used may impact the number of colors that can be accurately reproduced. For example, digital printing can usually reproduce a wide range of colors, while screen printing may have limitations on the number of colors that can be used. It’s best to discuss your color requirements with your packaging consultant and the printing team to determine the best printing method for your design.
The final project invoice for customized packaging typically includes the actual quantity produced of the product, shipping costs (if any), and additional costs for new or revised orders, artwork, printing plates, and possibly cutting dies. Overrun and underrun quantities may also affect the final cost. It’s important to work with packaging consultants who can guide you through the entire process, including pricing and quantity options. Each project is unique, so the final cost will depend on factors such as materials, printing methods, and product style.
When it comes to custom packaging, minimum quantities are essential to ensure efficient production and prevent waste. The minimum quantities required vary depending on factors such as the type of product, printing techniques used, and deadlines. Our product gallery pages provide estimated minimum quantities to help you plan your project. Each custom printed project requires a specific amount of time and materials to complete, and manufacturing facilities must make decisions based on their overall production capacity. By setting minimum quantities, manufacturers can optimize their efficiency and deliver high-quality custom packaging products to their customers.
The lead time for custom printed packaging can vary based on the type of printing and customization being done. It’s essential to discuss your project details with your packaging consultant to get the most accurate lead time information. Semi-custom printed packaging usually takes 2-4 weeks after approval, while domestic production takes 3-8 weeks after all artwork and prototype approvals. Imported products typically take 8-14 weeks, depending on the product and shipping method. Please note that lead times are subject to change, especially during the holiday season, so it’s best to plan ahead to ensure timely delivery of your custom packaging order.
Over and under runs are common in custom printed packaging production and refer to the final quantity of the product being either more or less than the original order quantity. This is detailed in our proposals as a plus or minus percentage, and you will be billed pro-rated for the actual shipped amounts. Over and under runs happen due to various factors such as the amount of material allocated to each job and the efficiency of the set-up process. However, semi-custom packaging orders are usually produced in exact or very close quantities to the original request. Rest assured that you will only be billed for what we make and ship, whether it’s more or less than your original order quantity.