How to get outer packaging done?

[flibbage0]

Currently we've sourced all of the materials and etc for the product, now we need to sort out the outer packaging which will be a small cardboard box, think around 20x10cm. It'll need custom writing, logos etc which will be created by us.

No idea how to go about the outer packaging, do we get it made in China or UK? Who to contact? What should I be asking them?

Sorry about the stupid questions I'm a complete novice to this

Edited by flibbage0 on Thursday 15th March 16:16

[technodup]

Drop me a PM if you want, we do printed packaging for various clients.

Quantity, all 3 dimensions, weight of product and any other details (e.g. full print/partial, number of colours etc) would be helpful.

[DSLiverpool]

flibbage0 said:

Currently we've sourced all of the materials and etc for the product, now we need to sort out the outer packaging which will be a small cardboard box, think around 20x10cm. It'll need custom writing, logos etc which will be created by us.

No idea how to go about the outer packaging, do we get it made in China or UK? Who to contact? What should I be asking them?

Sorry about the stupid questions I'm a complete novice to this

Edited by flibbage0 on Thursday 15th March 16:16

What about a generic box with a nice printed sleeve - give much more flexibility and cuts down on inventory

[ReverendCounter]

flibbage0 said:

Currently we've sourced all of the materials and etc for the product, now we need to sort out the outer packaging which will be a small cardboard box, think around 20x10cm. It'll need custom writing, logos etc which will be created by us.

No idea how to go about the outer packaging, do we get it made in China or UK? Who to contact? What should I be asking them?

Sorry about the stupid questions I'm a complete novice to this

There are a few things you need to establish first.

How much weight/protection does the outer packaging need to carry?
Thicker, stiffer cardboard starts to get harder to form into a box at smaller sizes, which yours is, if it's a product that needs protection.

How many do you need?
This will determine whether litho print or digital will be appropriate - litho big runs, digital for short (10-500?)
The quantity may also determine whether you get a cutting die or forme made up to press a custom sized box out out of the printed cardboard sheet which will then need to be folded/glued and supplied flat, ready for filling.
At that size the die will cost less than £100 if you buy direct. Some printers/die cutters buy their dies at this price and charge you twice that amount before they even cut or print. There will be a charge for litho/repro - ie making up printing plates.

You don't necessarily need a custom forme/die:

Can you use an off the shelf box size if it's roughly 20x10?
This will save on the cost of the die, the cost to cut, fold and glue. There might be slight restrictions if you print onto an off the shelf box.

I would advise you have a chat with a low cost freelance packaging designer locally, face to face, through People Per Hour. Then have a few conversations with digital printers who produce packaging, if you want a short run - they both should be able to provide an end to end service, but you might prefer to deal with one individual packaging designer.

There's quote a lot to consider but you're going to leave the more complex stuff to the specialists, you just have to give them info for them to give you the best option given your requirements.

The basic steps are:

1) create the printed design which will print onto the box
2) get sheets of cardboard printed from your design
3) the printed sheets get die cut, or cut on a plotting table
4) the flat box gets folded and glued (they can be supplied to you with peel+seal so you complete the make up of the box)

HTH!