Minimum Order Quantities and Lead Times, Explained

Two questions come up in almost every first enquiry: how many must I order, and how long will it take. Both have real production reasons behind them.

Why a minimum quantity exists

Custom packaging requires dies, plates and machine setup that are made for your box specifically. Below a certain quantity, setup dominates the unit price to the point where the box costs more than the product it protects. Minimums differ by structure: a simple folding carton usually has a different threshold from a hand assembled rigid box with an insert.

What changes the minimum

• Structure complexity and number of components
• Whether the material is stocked or ordered in
• Number of print colours and finishes
• Whether an existing die can be reused

A realistic timeline

Stages, in order: artwork and dieline preparation, dummy sample approval, die and plate production, printing, finishing, assembly, quality check and delivery. The variable stages are approvals and specialty material sourcing. Reorders of an unchanged design are faster because dies and colour records already exist.

How small brands can start

• Use a stock structure with custom printing instead of a bespoke die
• Print one strong finish rather than several
• Order a pilot quantity of the exact final specification to test market response
• Standardise one box size across multiple products so quantities combine

Questions worth asking before ordering

• Is the quoted lead time from artwork approval or from order date
• What happens if we change artwork after die production
• Is a small paid sample available before full production
• Can production be split into staged deliveries

Planning a first order? Set your specification in the quote builder and we will confirm the achievable quantity and timeline.