Dongguan BAOMI Information Technology Co.,Ltd.

What Are The Factors That Affect The Quotation For Product Packaging Box Printing?

Updated: 23-09-2024

The printing quotation of product packaging boxes is a major topic of concern for many companies.

Here we will explain it in three parts, which may help you understand the huge difference in printing quotation of packaging boxes and make corresponding choices.


1. Factors affecting the quotation of product packaging box printing

The high or low quotation of product packaging box printing is usually affected by many factors such as the structure, paper, process, size, quantity and so on of different packaging boxes. Of course, the "quantity" factor is particularly important. For the same packaging box, the unit price may differ by several times or even dozens of times depending on the quantity.


This also leads to many start-ups or products that are newly put into the market, due to the small number of initially customized product packaging boxes, resulting in high printing unit price costs and other problems.


As we all know, the smaller the number of printing, the higher the unit price. But the reason is not easy to understand for friends who are not familiar with the printing quotation method.


In this regard, we make a simple analogy, and it is easy for everyone to understand.


Because there is a fixed starting cost in many links during printing. For example: the starting costs of PS plate making, machine adjustment, and machine adjustment paper during printing. And many of these starting costs are incurred every time printing, so they are usually charged for each printing.


At this time, for example, the cost of a machine adjustment is $100. When the number of customized packaging boxes is only 50, the average cost of each is $2; when the number of customized boxes is 5,000, the average cost of each is only $0.02.


Of course, it is not that the unit price will continue to decrease as the quantity continues to increase. Because after a certain number, the starting cost is almost negligible, and the fee is mainly charged according to the production cost of each unit.


As everyone knows, the printing industry is a heavy asset investment industry. The capital investment in printing equipment and the time cost of printing technicians have always been high. Without corresponding fee income, it is impossible to support the normal operation of a printing factory.


2. The most cost-effective quantity reference for different types of packaging boxes

The printing quotation of product packaging boxes is actually said to be most affected by the "quantity" factor. So what quantity should companies generally choose to place an order for printing to be the most cost-effective?


Here, BAOMI lists the corresponding approximate unit prices and relatively cost-effective starting printing quantities for reference according to the four major packaging box categories of "cardboard packaging boxes", "corrugated paper boxes", "color packaging boxes" and "hardcover boxes":


A. Cardboard packaging boxes: referred to as card boxes, commonly used single-sided white cardboard, or special cardboard paper printing and production, is the lightest packaging form in the packaging box, usually used for packaging products with light weight. Its unit price is generally between a few cents and a few yuan, and the minimum order quantity is generally more than 5,000 pieces, which is relatively cost-effective;


B. Corrugated paper boxes: also known as pit boxes and corrugated boxes, with relatively good load-bearing capacity, usually using single-sided gray cards or single-sided white cards, and mounting corrugated paper after printing the surface color and process. Common box shapes include airplane boxes and handheld boxes. Its unit price is generally between two or three yuan and ten yuan, and the minimum order quantity is generally more than 3,000 pieces, which is relatively cost-effective;


C. Color packaging boxes: It is a bit like the express cartons we often use, but the main difference between the two is that express cartons are usually printed directly on corrugated cardboard, while color packaging boxes are printed on white cardboard and then mounted with corrugated cardboard. The process is more practicable and the effect is more delicate and high-end. Its unit price is generally between four or five yuan and more than ten yuan, and the minimum order quantity is generally more than 2,000 pieces, which is relatively cost-effective;


D. Hardcover boxes: Usually called hardcover gift boxes, gift boxes, they often use fine printing face paper or special paper face paper, and fine mounting high-gram cardboard or wood board. The process and quality requirements are higher, and the unit price will be higher. It is often used in product industries with strong premium ability. Its unit price is generally around five to twenty yuan. Of course, the unit price of higher volume and quality will be tens of yuan or even higher. The minimum order quantity is generally more than 2,000 pieces, which is relatively cost-effective.


In addition to the quantity factor, factors such as different packaging box structures, corresponding paper, craftsmanship and size will also affect the printing unit price of packaging boxes. For this reason, here we can only list the relatively cost-effective starting quantity and approximate unit price for reference based on different types of packaging boxes. For more detailed printing quotations, companies can only consult the corresponding packaging factories. Of course, you can also communicate with Popcorn Packaging for more appropriate packaging solutions and specific quotations.


3. Packaging box purchasing strategies for enterprises at different stages

Since product packaging box printing involves starting costs, many printing factories will also have minimum order quantity requirements. In BAOMI packaging, although we generally do not have strict requirements, when the number of single batch orders is small, enterprises are often not willing to accept the unit price.


In fact, enterprises have different needs and purchasing strategies for packaging boxes at different stages.


For example, for start-ups or products that are newly launched on the market, when the number of single batch purchase orders for packaging boxes is small, we usually suggest that the other party: directly purchase ready-made, that is, universal packaging boxes online or in the packaging box wholesale market, and then print the company logo and slogan on the ready-made packaging boxes by means of self-adhesive labels, silk screen printing, and hot stamping; you can also add a cover to the box (similar to the waist cover of a book) to add more detailed and rich company and product information.


Thereby achieving a good packaging experience, saving the starting cost of printing, effectively reducing the unit price of product packaging box purchases, and solving the bottleneck problem of too high unit cost due to too small single batch purchase quantity of packaging boxes in the early stage of the product.


This method is actually the most mature in the field of tea, and the ready-made packaging forms to choose from are also the most abundant. Even if the purchase quantity is only a few, the unit price of an exquisite and high-end tea gift box can also be purchased at a unit price of about ten to twenty or thirty yuan.


Of course, the ready-made universal version of the packaging box is not tailored to the needs of the enterprise after all, and it is true that it has its limitations. For example, the size, design style, creative elements, etc. are usually limited.


For this reason, when the product has passed the testing period, or the company has sufficient funds, channels and confidence to support, or the company pays more attention to the later benefits of the market and wants to make its own product packaging box. At this time, it is still necessary to carry out systematic planning and design according to its own brand concept, VI visual image, etc., and tailor a product packaging box that is more in line with the market positioning and has more marketing benefits for the company.