2026 Edition

Stop guessing what packaging costs. Real pricing data from 14+ suppliers.

We collected real quotes across corrugated, kraft, rigid, poly mailers, and glass — at every order quantity. This guide shows you what you should actually be paying.

Compare Real Quotes in 60 Seconds

14 verified suppliers · Real quotes, not estimates · Updated 2026

Section 01

Cost by Material Type

Per-unit price ranges for standard custom packaging. These are base costs before print, finish, shipping, and tooling. Actual quotes will vary by supplier and specification.

Material	Best For	Typical MOQ	Per-Unit Cost Range	Notes
Corrugated Shipping boxes, mailers	E-commerce shipping, subscription boxes	100 – 500	$0.50 – $3.00 per unit at 500 qty	✓ Most popular
Kraft Paper-based, eco-friendly	Cosmetics, food, sustainable brands	100 – 250	$0.30 – $2.50 per unit at 500 qty	Lowest base cost option
Rigid / Luxury Premium unibody boxes	Jewelry, electronics, luxury goods	250 – 1,000	$2.00 – $8.00 per unit at 500 qty	High perceived value
Poly Mailers Plastic shipping envelopes	Apparel, soft goods, lightweight items	100 – 250	$0.15 – $0.80 per unit at 500 qty	Lowest unit cost
Glass Glass containers + caps	Skincare, supplements, food	500 – 1,000	$1.50 – $5.00 per unit at 500 qty	Freight-sensitive at scale

ⓘ All prices are indicative base costs. Your actual quote will depend on dimensions, print type, finish, and order quantity. Get exact pricing for your spec in under 60 seconds using the quote tool.

Section 02

How Order Quantity Affects Price

Volume discounts are real and significant. Here's the typical price curve for a standard 8×6×4 inch corrugated mailer box. Prices shown are per unit including tooling amortization.

100

Minimum Order

$2.80 – $3.20

—

500

Starter

$1.40 – $1.80

~50% off

1,000
Growth
$0.95 – $1.25
~65% off

5,000

Scale

$0.60 – $0.80

~78% off

10,000

Enterprise

$0.48 – $0.65

~83% off

⚠ Non-obvious reality: Many brands pay starter-quantity pricing at 500 units when 1,000 would cut their per-unit cost by 40% with minimal inventory risk. Most suppliers will negotiate the higher tier if you ask — but only if you know the curve exists.

Section 03

Hidden Costs Most Brands Miss

Your unit price is just the start. These line items routinely inflate final costs by 20–50% if you don't plan for them upfront.

🔧

Setup / Die-Cut Fees

One-time charge to create your custom die or printing plates. This is typically $150–$500 per color/position and is charged per supplier — so switching suppliers means paying again.

$150 – $500 per setup

⏳

Rush / Expedite Fees

Need your boxes in 2 weeks instead of 4–6? Suppliers charge a rush premium. Most quotes assume standard lead times (4–6 weeks). Flagging an expedite after order placement triggers a surcharge on most invoices.

15–40% surcharge

💰

MOQ Minimum Penalties

Some suppliers quote below their actual minimum. If you order 250 units but their true MOQ is 500, you'll get a surprise invoice amendment. Always confirm actual minimum order before signing.

$50 – $200 amendment fee

🛼

Shipping & Freight

Most supplier quotes are FOB (ship-from factory). Freight, duties, and last-mile delivery to your warehouse can add $0.05–$0.30 per unit depending on weight, volume, and destination.

$0.05 – $0.30 per unit

🎨

Print Color Matching

Pantone (spot) color matching ensures your brand colors are accurate. Process print (CMYK) is cheaper but allows ±10% color variance. If brand-accurate colors matter, specify a Pantone match and confirm the tolerance upfront.

$50 – $200 per color run

✂

Sample / Prototyping Fees

Most suppliers charge $50–$300 for physical samples before production. Essential if your box has a unique structure, window, or insert — but often skipped when brands feel time-pressured, leading to costly production errors.

$50 – $300 per sample

Stop guessing what packaging costs. Real pricing data from 14+ suppliers.

Cost by Material Type

How Order Quantity Affects Price

Hidden Costs Most Brands Miss

Compare real quotes from 14+ suppliers in 60 seconds