Custom packaging can make your brand more memorable, help build customer loyalty, and improve their unboxing experience. But for a growing ecommerce business, ordering thousands of boxes before you know what works can be expensive and risky, especially if you’re still testing your product’s profitability and learning about your customers’ demands.
The good news? You don’t need a large-volume order to get started with custom packaging.
Custom boxes and other packaging supplies with low minimum order requirements let your growing ecommerce brand create professional, branded packaging without committing to thousands of units. You can start small, test your packaging, learn what works, and increase your order quantities as your business grows.
What Does Low MOQ Mean for Custom Packaging?
A minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest number of units a custom packaging supplier will allow you to order. Many suppliers only cater to large retailers and direct-to-consumer companies, so their MOQs often reach thousands of units. As a result, small businesses, solo entrepreneurs, and growing brands are apprehensive about investing in custom packaging.
Fortunately, low-MOQ custom packaging gives growing ecommerce brands a competitive edge without breaking the bank. Instead of requiring a large production run, low-MOQ suppliers can produce custom boxes in much smaller batches, allowing you to order based on the volume your business actually needs.
With low-MOQ custom packaging, it’s easier and faster to test and adopt various business models and strategies.
What Are the Benefits of Low-MOQ Custom Packaging for Growing Brands?
A lower minimum doesn’t just reduce the size of your volume order. It gives you more flexibility as your products, branding, and business needs evolve. Here’s a list of the benefits of low-MOQ custom packaging:
You can test your packaging before scaling.
Order a small batch of a new custom mailer box, put it in your customers’ hands, and see how it performs. You can refine the size, artwork, messaging, or unboxing experience before investing in a larger run.
It lets you create seasonal and limited-edition packaging.
Holiday campaigns, product launches, and limited-edition packaging don’t always justify thousands of custom box orders. Low minimums let you produce packaging for a specific campaign without being stuck with outdated inventory months later.
You have more flexibility with your budget.
Boxes sitting unused in storage represent the money you’ve already spent. Ordering closer to your current shipping volume can free up cash for inventory, marketing, fulfillment, and other areas of growth.
ROI is easier to test.
Small batches let you monitor customer response, repeat purchases, referrals, and other indicators before increasing your investment. Plus, you can test different packaging approaches, learn what works, and refine future orders based on results.
Custom packaging may encourage social sharing.
Unique custom packaging can make orders more shareable on social media platforms. An excellent unboxing experience may also encourage customers to recommend your brand to others.
3 Things You Need to Consider Before Order Custom Packaging
Transitioning from a plain box to a custom-printed one can increase your per-unit cost, but you can minimize it by choosing the right box size, material, structural design, printing methods, and quantity.
Before placing your first custom packaging order, keep these three things in mind to keep costs down without skimping on quality, design, or structural integrity.
- Know the cost before finalizing your design. Get a rough estimate or instant quote for custom mailer boxes or product boxes based on the actual size, material, and quantity you need.
- Review your proof carefully. Asking for a digital proof before ordering custom-printed packaging gives you a chance to review your artwork before production begins, preventing costly reprints.
- Start with one Stock Keeping Unit (SKU). Instead of redesigning your entire packaging lineup, begin with one versatile or standard-sized mailer or product box. Learn from that first order before adding more sizes or packaging formats.
How to Scale Custom Packaging as Your Business Grows
As your ecommerce business grows, your packaging strategy should evolve with it. You can think of this “evolution” in three stages:
Early stage: Start with a small batch of one custom mailer or product box. Focus on the fundamentals: the right size, your logo and brand colors, and the best material and structural design to reduce shipping damage, returns, and unnecessary packaging costs.
Growth stage: Increase quantities based on consistent order volume. You can also add another packaging supply, such as a shipping box for larger or heavier orders.
Scale stage: Standardize box sizes and designs, streamline workflows, and increase order quantities to improve per-unit pricing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Low-MOQ Custom Packaging
How many custom boxes should a small business order?
Start with a quantity that reflects your current, predictable order volume and gives you enough inventory to avoid frequent stockouts. If you’re testing a new design or box size, a smaller initial order can reduce risk and make it easier to adjust before scaling.
When should I move from a test batch to a larger order?
Look for consistent order volume and predictable inventory turnover. If you’re repeatedly ordering the same box size and design, increasing your order quantity may lower your per-unit cost without creating excessive inventory.
What if I run out of custom packaging sooner than expected?
That’s actually a good sign—it may be time to reorder or increase your next order quantity. Low-MOQ ordering gives you the flexibility to adjust how much you buy based on real-time demand.
Can small businesses order custom-printed boxes?
Yes. Low minimum order options make custom-printed packaging accessible to small brands. Depending on the supplier and the packaging type, you may be able to start with a very small quantity and scale your orders as your business grows.
Start Small. Scale When You’re Ready.
Start with a box size that fits your needs, refine the design, and see how it performs with real products and customers. As demand grows and becomes more predictable, you can confidently increase your order quantities.
Ready to upgrade your packaging without the big commitment? Create your custom box with Packlane and order the quantity that works for your business today.