Product Packaging Design for China Manufacturing
TL;DR: Good packaging differentiates your brand and protects your product. Chinese packaging factories can produce anything from simple kraft boxes to premium rigid boxes with foil stamping. Cost: $0.10–$5.00 per unit depending on complexity. Always send dielines (not just mockups) to the factory.
Packaging Types
| Type | Cost/Unit | MOQ | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kraft/corrugated box | $0.10 – $0.50 | 500+ | E-commerce shipping, eco-friendly brands |
| Printed folding carton | $0.30 – $1.50 | 1,000+ | Retail shelf packaging, most consumer products |
| Rigid box (setup box) | $1.00 – $5.00 | 500+ | Premium/luxury products, gift boxes, tech gadgets |
| Poly bag + header card | $0.05 – $0.20 | 1,000+ | Low-cost products, accessories |
| Tin/metal box | $0.50 – $3.00 | 3,000+ | Premium positioning, collectibles |
Print Methods
- Offset printing: Best for high-volume, full-color packaging. Most cost-effective at 3,000+ units.
- Digital printing: Best for short runs (100–1,000). No plate costs. Good color quality but higher per-unit cost.
- Flexographic: Used for corrugated boxes and bags. Lower resolution but very cost-effective at scale.
- Screen printing: Used for specialty effects — metallic inks, thick ink deposits, textured finishes.
Special Finishes
- Hot foil stamping: Gold, silver, or custom color metallic foil. Adds $0.03–$0.15/unit.
- Embossing/debossing: Raised or recessed design. Adds $0.02–$0.10/unit.
- Spot UV: Glossy coating on specific areas. Adds $0.02–$0.08/unit.
- Matte/gloss lamination: Full surface coating for protection and feel. Adds $0.01–$0.05/unit.
- Window cutout: Die-cut window with clear PET film. Adds $0.05–$0.15/unit.
Design Files for Chinese Factories
- Dieline file: Vector outline of the box structure (Adobe Illustrator .ai format preferred). Ask the factory for their dieline template first.
- Artwork file: High-resolution (300 DPI minimum) in CMYK color mode. Include 3mm bleed on all edges.
- Color references: Provide Pantone (PMS) color codes for brand colors. Don't rely on screen colors — they vary between monitors.
- Material specification: Paper weight (e.g., 350gsm C1S), coating type, and any special requirements.
- Regulatory content: Include required legal text — barcode, country of origin, certifications, warnings — in the design file.
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