Investing in custom packaging is a cost-effective marketing tool for any small business. In addition to increasing customer satisfaction and brand value, it also spreads brand awareness and secures repeat sales, boosting revenue.

If you’ve decided to design custom corrugated boxes for your business, you may be lost as to where to begin. Choosing a trustworthy custom packaging provider is crucial, as it will make the design process easier and result in a superior end product. Making the wrong choice can result in wasted time and money if you need to re-design or re-print the boxes, so it’s important that you take the time to consider these three critical factors before choosing your manufacturer for custom cardboard boxes.

1. Set a custom packaging budget

Above all else, your custom packaging should remain within your company’s budget. Before you source a packaging provider or consider materials and designs, determine a clear budget for your custom corrugated boxes that makes sense for your company’s size and revenue.

Some smaller businesses may find that their budget falls under the minimum order quantity that many custom packaging providers require. While you may feel pressure to stretch your budget to meet this minimum quantity, it’s never a good idea to spend more than you can afford or to buy more boxes than you’ll realistically need.

Find a custom mailer box manufacturer that doesn’t require a minimum order quantity. Here at Build A Box, for example, we specialize in short runs and can produce as little as one box per run, so you never need to order more than you’re comfortable with.

Just make sure, when creating your custom packaging budget, that you include factors such as materials, graphic design services, printing, shipping and warehousing to help you make the best and most cost-effective decisions for your company.

2. Learn more about the custom packaging manufacturer

Once you have a budget set, you can start comparing manufacturers for your custom cardboard boxes. Not all manufacturers are the same, and you’ll need to compare their pricing, quality, timeliness, and other factors that are important to your small business’ custom packaging needs.

Factors you should consider when comparing custom mailer box manufacturers include:

• Low error rates
• Quick response time
• Low setup fees
• Quick and/or inexpensive shipping and delivery
• Low/no minimum order quantity
• Design capabilities and degree of customization possible
• Years in business
• Positive customer reviews

3. Compare the quality of materials

The quality of materials you choose will play an important role in how your customer perceives their order, so it’s essential to select a custom packaging provider that offers high-quality and eco-friendly materials.

Build A Box offers four distinct box strengths suitable for up to 120 pounds and three box materials: Kraft, standard and premium. Our custom corrugated boxes are 100 percent recyclable, so you can remain sustainable for eco-conscious consumers. We can also fully customize both sides of your box for a fully customized and professional look and feel.

For an extra luxurious touch, we can also consult on additional custom packaging materials, including protective inserts, ultra-premium materials or unique structural design features. Give us a call and speak to one of our design team members to learn about the endless possibilities.

If you’re ready to get started designing custom boxes with logos, check out Build A Box’s online design tool, where you can quickly and easily make your custom packaging vision a reality. You can also give us a call at (888) 406-1610 or fill out our online contact form to speak with one of our box designers and receive personalized assistance. We’re always happy to answer any of your questions and provide a free quote. No minimum order quantity is required!