Small Quantity Packaging Orders
Small quantity packaging makes custom boxes accessible for startups, new product launches, seasonal items, and businesses testing market response. Teal Packaging specializes in short-run packaging with minimum orders of just 100 units. You get the same quality, printing options, and custom design capabilities as large-scale production without the financial risk of ordering thousands of boxes.
Why Order Small Quantities
Several business scenarios benefit from low-minimum packaging:
- Product testing - validate packaging design before large investment
- Seasonal releases - produce exact quantities for holiday or limited-time offers
- New business launches - start small while building customer base
- Crowdfunding campaigns - fulfill backer orders without excess inventory
- Market segmentation - create packaging variations for different customer groups
- Limited editions - special packaging for exclusive or collectible products
- Inventory management - reduce warehouse costs by ordering as needed
Digital Printing Enables Small Runs
Traditional offset printing requires expensive plates and setup, making small quantities prohibitively expensive. Digital printing eliminates these costs by printing directly from digital files. This technology shift makes custom packaging economical at 100 units and up. You can order precisely what you need without paying for setup fees or unused inventory.
Available Box Styles for Small Quantities
All standard packaging configurations are available for short runs:
- Tuck-top boxes - reverse tuck, straight tuck, auto-lock bottom
- Folding cartons - flat-packed for efficient storage and shipping
- Two-piece boxes - separate lid and base for luxury presentation
- Mailer boxes - corrugated shipping boxes with custom printing
- Sleeve and tray boxes - sliding outer sleeve over inner tray
- Display boxes - countertop or shelf-ready packaging
- Pillow boxes - curved design for small items
- Window boxes - clear plastic panel shows product
Customization Options
Small quantity orders include full customization capabilities. Print in full CMYK color with photo-quality graphics, logos, product information, and branding. Add Pantone spot colors for exact brand matching. Choose from various paperboard stocks including SBS (white), kraft (natural brown), and corrugated materials. Apply finishing treatments like gloss or matte lamination, spot UV, embossing, foil stamping, and soft-touch coating.
Sizing and Die-Cutting
Order any custom size to fit your product perfectly. Common dimensions range from small 2x2x2 inch boxes for jewelry to larger 12x12x4 inch boxes for apparel or gift sets. Custom die-cutting creates unique shapes, window cutouts, hang holes, and special opening mechanisms. We optimize die layouts to minimize material waste while maintaining structural integrity.
Pricing for Small Quantity Orders
Minimum order quantity is 100 units. Per-unit cost for small quantities is higher than bulk orders but still affordable for most businesses. A typical order of 100 custom boxes (5x5x3 inches, full-color digital printing on 18pt SBS with matte lamination) costs approximately $3.50-$5.00 per box. Increasing quantity to 250 or 500 units reduces per-box pricing by 20-30%. Production time is 15-20 business days after artwork approval.
Ordering Process
Start by determining your box dimensions and quantity. Share your design files or work with our team to create packaging artwork. We provide a detailed quote including all costs. After approval, we produce digital proofs showing how your design will print. Once you approve the proof, production begins. Finished boxes ship via FedEx or freight depending on order size. Most customers receive their small quantity orders within three weeks of placing the order.
Industries Using Small Quantity Packaging
Businesses across all sectors order small-run custom packaging: cosmetics brands launching new products, food companies testing specialty flavors, subscription box services offering exclusive items, craft makers selling on Etsy or at markets, electronics companies introducing accessories, wellness brands creating limited editions, and retailers offering seasonal gift packaging.
Scaling Up When Ready
Many customers start with small quantity orders and increase volumes as their business grows. Your packaging design and specifications remain the same, but larger production runs benefit from economies of scale with lower per-unit costs. Some businesses maintain a mix of small and large runs, using bulk orders for core products and short runs for seasonal or specialty items.
Ready to order custom packaging in small quantities? Request a quote or explore our product catalog to find the right packaging solution for your needs.
