If you, like many of the well over 400 potential customers who contact us each month, are new to the process of buying branded packaging, you may not know what to expect in terms of processes, options and cost. One look at our gallery, and it is easy to see that there are many creative, unique designs that have resulted in beautiful prints. But what you may not know is that many of these examples were achieved using a cost-effective approach to branding by following these simple guidelines:
Consider an Existing Size
We have over 240 cutting dies, and chances are, one or more of them are close to the size you need. A new cutting die is typically a $600-800 one-time expense, sometimes higher, that tends to make more sense as an investment with high volume orders.
Consider a 1 Color Design
Many of our most eye-catching prints are simple 1 color designs. As in the images below, by utilizing the background white or kraft board color of the box, many 1 color designs appear as beautiful and vibrant prints. A screen print is also another method by which 1 color may be applied using different levels of pressure, resulting in what appears to be different shades of the same color.
Use a Kraft Exterior Board Color
On average, kraft board color is about 6-8% less expensive than white. When you consider the outside of the box will see the perils of shipping, resulting in scuffing, scraping, rubbing and other visible damage and wear, a white exterior is not always the better option.
Consider an RSC or Custom Paper Mailer Envelope
It is not uncommon for an inquiring customer to have a vision for their branded packaging, only to realize through discussion with one of our experienced team members that there are alternative solutions that are better suited for the product(s) they are shipping. For instance, we often steer many t-shirt and apparel companies away from custom boxes and towards custom envelopes, especially in cases of lower volumes and shorter production runs. An RSC style box is another alternative, and the fact is, while there are some products that are better suited for die cut mailers specifically, and some for RSCs, the vast majority of products tend to fall in that middle area where either option could make sense. An RSC is usually less expensive than a die cut mailer because it consumes less board. Print plates for an RSC are also, generally less expensive.
Want to know more about buying branded packaging? We’d love to review your packaging needs and help you determine which options make the most sense for you. One of our branded packaging advisors is standing by. Please contact us at Salazar Packaging or call us at 630-551-1700.