Candy packaging needs to do three things: protect the product, look amazing, and handle food safely. Most suppliers focus on one or two of these. We handle all three without charging you premium boutique pricing.
Material Selection for Candy
Your material choice depends on product weight, moisture sensitivity, and shelf life needs. Here's what actually works:
SBS Paperboard (200-350 GSM): Best for most candy applications. Smooth surface takes printing beautifully. Food-safe coating available. Works for chocolates, hard candies, gummies, caramels. Typical cost: $0.45-1.20 per box depending on size and quantity.
Kraft Board (250-400 GSM): Natural brown finish or white-lined. Good for artisan brands or eco-conscious positioning. Slightly cheaper than SBS - runs $0.38-0.95 per box. Takes printing well but matte finish limits high-gloss effects.
Corrugated E-flute: Needed for bulk packaging or shipping boxes. Adds protection but increases thickness. Use for multi-piece sets or gift boxes. Cost: $0.85-2.10 per box.
Food-Safe Requirements
Direct food contact requires FDA-approved coatings or liners. We use aqueous coating for inside surfaces - it's water-based, food-safe, and adds grease resistance. No upcharge for food-safe coating on orders over 500 units.
For chocolate or items sensitive to moisture, we can laminate a barrier layer or add poly liners. Liners cost $0.08-0.15 per box. They're worth it for products with oils or high moisture content.
Window Displays
Clear windows let customers see your candy before buying. Critical for farmers markets, retail shelves, or any situation where color and presentation drive purchases. We use PET film windows - available with recyclable options by specification and crystal clear.
Window costs: $0.12-0.25 per box depending on size and cut complexity. Simple rectangular windows are cheapest. Die-cut shapes (circles, ovals, custom forms) add about $0.08 per box but create more visual interest.
Printing and Finishing
Full CMYK printing standard. Most candy brands need bright, saturated colors - we use high-opacity inks to get those vivid pinks, blues, and golds that pop on shelves. Gloss AQ coating is included. Matte or soft-touch coatings available for premium lines.
Special finishes:
- Spot UV - $0.15-0.30 per box, great for logo highlights
- Foil stamping - $0.25-0.45 per box, metallic gold/silver/holographic
- Embossing - $0.20-0.35 per box, adds texture and dimension
Common Box Styles
Tuck-end boxes: Most popular for candy. Auto-lock bottom, tuck-top closure. Easy to assemble, secure closure. Sizes from 2" x 2" x 1" up to 8" x 6" x 3". Price range: $0.40-1.15 each at 500+ quantity.
Two-piece lift-off: Premium presentation. Separate lid and base. Better for gift packaging or higher-price items. Costs more - expect $0.75-1.85 per box.
Pillow boxes: Curved shape, good for single pieces or small assortments. Quick assembly. Runs $0.35-0.85 each.
Sleeve boxes: Inner tray slides into printed sleeve. Excellent for chocolate bars or rectangular candies. $0.55-1.40 per set.
Sizing Guidelines
Size your box with 1/4" clearance on all sides of your product. Too tight makes insertion difficult during production. Too loose lets candy shift during shipping. We can send you box templates to test fit before committing to production.
Popular candy box sizes:
- 2" x 2" x 1" - single truffle or small piece
- 3" x 3" x 1.5" - 4-6 piece assortment
- 4" x 4" x 2" - 8-12 piece box
- 5" x 5" x 2" - 12-16 piece assortment
- 6" x 4" x 1.5" - chocolate bar box
- 8" x 6" x 2" - large gift box, 20+ pieces
Minimum Orders and Pricing
We start at 100 boxes for stock templates with custom printing. Fully custom sizes require 250-500 unit minimums depending on complexity. Die cutting setup costs $150-280 but gets waived on reorders.
Real-world pricing for a 4" x 4" x 2" tuck-end box with full-color printing and gloss finish:
- 100-249 units: $1.10-1.45 each
- 250-499 units: $0.75-1.05 each
- 500-999 units: $0.55-0.80 each
- 1,000-2,499 units: $0.42-0.65 each
- 2,500+ units: $0.32-0.52 each
Production Timeline
Digital printing: 8-12 business days after artwork approval. Offset printing: 18-25 days for first run, 12-15 for reorders. Rush service available - we can hit 5-day turnaround on simple boxes for 25% upcharge.
Design Support
Send us your logo and brand colors, and we'll create box mockups. Need help with structural design? We'll suggest box styles that work for your product and budget. Include barcode placement, nutrition facts, and ingredient lists - we'll lay it out properly and make sure text is legible.
Order Process
Request a quote with your box dimensions and quantity. We'll send pricing and mockups within 24 hours. Approve the digital proof, then we produce a physical sample ($40-75 depending on complexity). Sign off on the sample, and we go to production. Boxes arrive flat-packed, ready to assemble and fill.
