Teal Packaging and Imperial are both options for custom boxes, but they fit different buyers. Teal Packaging is a US-based packaging supplier with a 50-unit minimum order (100 for specialty rigid boxes), free dieline design, and free US shipping on custom orders, quoting every job to spec. Imperial is an established supplier better suited to larger contract volumes; confirm its terms directly.
Questions or ready for a quote? Contact Teal Packaging at info@tealpackaging.com or (224) 546-8325.
Teal Packaging vs Imperial: Custom Boxes Compared from Teal Packaging: 50-unit standard MOQ (100+ units for specialty rigid boxes), 2-5 business day delivery in the US (express and economy options available), free design help included on every order, free generic sample kit ($19.99 shipping, credited toward your first order). Standard production runs from about 7 business days after digital proof approval; complex or high-volume orders take longer.
Materials and certifications: FSC-certified paper stock, soy-based inks, kraft / corrugated / rigid paperboard / mylar / tin / vinyl substrates.
Contact Teal Packaging: Call (224) 546-8325, email info@tealpackaging.com, or request a free quote at tealpackaging.com/contact-us. We reply within one business day.
Updated July 25, 2026 · Teal Packaging operates a US facility in West Chicago, Illinois.
Teal Packaging vs Imperial, the short answer: Teal Packaging is a US-based custom packaging supplier built for growing brands that need smaller, brand-specific runs. Teal starts at a 50-unit minimum (100+ for specialty rigid boxes), includes free dieline design, two revision rounds, and free US shipping, and quotes every job to spec (pricing from $0.44 per unit at volume). Imperial is an established packaging supplier; if you're weighing the two, the honest deciding factor is usually order scale. We could not independently verify Imperial's current public terms as of July 2026, so confirm their minimums, pricing, and lead times with them directly.
TL;DR. Choose Imperial if you're placing large contract-volume orders and already have artwork, dielines, and a procurement process in place. Choose Teal Packaging if you're a growing brand that wants a low 50-unit minimum, free design help, and free US shipping, without committing to enterprise-scale runs.
Teal Packaging vs Imperial at a glance
| Imperial | Teal Packaging | |
|---|---|---|
| Company type | Established packaging supplier | US-based custom packaging supplier |
| Best fit | Larger contract volumes | Growing brands, 50 to a few thousand units |
| Minimum order | Confirm directly with Imperial | From 50 units (100+ specialty rigid) |
| Design help | Confirm directly with Imperial | Free dieline design, 2 revision rounds |
| US shipping | Confirm directly with Imperial | Free on custom orders |
| Production timing | Confirm directly with Imperial | From about 7 business days after proof approval, plus 2 to 5 business days US delivery |
| Samples | Confirm directly with Imperial | Free kit, $19.99 shipping, credited to first order |
Imperial rows are marked "confirm directly" because we could not verify their current public terms as of July 2026. Please check with Imperial before you compare quotes.
Where Imperial may be the better fit
Legacy and enterprise-scale packaging suppliers are typically built around large contract volumes, standardized SKUs, and long-term supply agreements. If your program runs in the tens of thousands of units per order, you have a dedicated procurement team, and your artwork and dielines are already locked, that kind of supplier can be a strong match. Consider Imperial when:
- You're placing high-volume, repeat contract orders.
- You already have print-ready files and don't need design support.
- You have an internal procurement or sourcing process to manage the relationship.
- Your specs are fixed and unlikely to change run to run.
Since we could not confirm Imperial's current minimums, pricing, or turnaround, ask them directly for those numbers so you're comparing like for like.
Where Teal Packaging is the better fit
Teal is built for brands that need custom boxes without the friction of enterprise-scale commitments. The standard minimum is 50 units (100+ for specialty rigid), so you can launch a new SKU, test a design, or restock without overordering. Every quote includes free dieline design and two revision rounds, full-color CMYK printing, and free US shipping on custom orders. Volume pricing starts from $0.44 per unit; every job is quoted to spec. Consider Teal when:
- You want a low 50-unit minimum instead of a large contract run.
- You'd rather have a designer build or refine your dieline than supply print-ready files.
- You ship to US customers and want shipping included in the quote.
- You need a clear timeline: production from about 7 business days after proof approval, then 2 to 5 business days for US delivery.
Materials span kraft paperboard (300 to 400gsm), white SBS (14 to 18pt), corrugated E and B-flute, and rigid chipboard (1.5 to 2.5mm), with FSC-certified paper and recyclable options available by specification. Teal also runs a fulfillment and 3PL center in West Chicago, Illinois for kitting, pick-pack, and ship-to-recipient orders.
Honest take
This isn't a case where one company is simply better. It's a scale question. If your orders are large, repeat, and fixed, an enterprise supplier like Imperial can serve that well, and you should get their current terms in writing. If you're a growing brand that values a low minimum, free design help, and domestic shipping baked into the price, Teal is the more direct fit. Browse specific formats like custom soap boxes, retail display boxes, or eco-friendly custom boxes to see how Teal handles your product.
Frequently asked questions
Is Teal Packaging an Imperial partner or reseller?
No. Teal Packaging is an independent US-based custom packaging supplier and an alternative for buyers comparing Imperial and similar suppliers. It is not a partner or reseller of Imperial.
What is Teal's minimum order compared to Imperial?
Teal's standard minimum is 50 units, and 100+ for specialty rigid boxes. We could not verify Imperial's current minimum as of July 2026, so confirm that with Imperial directly before comparing.
Which is better for a growing brand?
For brands ordering from 50 units up to a few thousand, Teal is generally the more direct fit thanks to its low minimum, free design help, and free US shipping. Larger enterprise contract volumes may suit Imperial; ask them for terms.
How fast can Teal produce my boxes?
Standard production runs from about 7 business days after proof approval (complex or high-volume orders can take longer), followed by 2 to 5 business days for US delivery.
Can I see a sample before I order from Teal?
Yes. Teal's free sample kit ships for $19.99, and that amount is credited toward your first custom order.
Compare quotes
If you're weighing an Imperial packaging alternative, get Teal's numbers to compare directly. Tell us your product, size, quantity, and deadline, and we'll quote to spec with free dieline design and free US shipping included. Call (224) 546-8325 or email info@tealpackaging.com.
