How to Find the Right Product Box Manufacturer to Customize Your Brand’s Packaging

Last Updated on August 23, 2023 by Packoi Team

Well, even if you have the most amazing design in your hands, that won’t mean anything unless you can find a packaging company to produce it for you. This is why finding the right product box manufacturer is important.

It’s not just about who offers the cheapest packaging or who can give you the best output based on your design. It’s about finding the manufacturer who’ll give you the best value for your money and who can stretch your design in ways that you’ve never thought possible.

In this article, you’ll get tips on how to find the best product box supplier for your brand. We’ll share 12 questions that you should ask to determine if you’re choosing the right company to partner with.

12 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Product Packaging Supplier

There are many packaging manufacturers all over the world. A closer look at the packaging industry reveals that its trillion-dollar market is expected to grow tremendously in the next few years, with the growth expected to be higher and faster in the Asia-Pacific region.

What does this tell you? It shows that there are a lot of options when it comes to custom packaging. So don’t just settle for the first company that you see. Do your research thoroughly and get to know a few manufacturers before you commit to any one of them.

This will allow you to find the right company that can provide the exact packaging solution that you’re looking for.

To help you spot the best company, here are the important questions to ask so you can make an informed decision about who you should partner with.

Can They Meet Your Requirements?

Before you start looking for the best packaging supplier, you need to have a clear understanding of your custom packaging needs.

Among the first things that you need to look at is your product. This will help you determine the size, material, and special features that the box should have.

You should also consider your brand. Your product box will be a marketing tool for your company. It can promote your product, brand, or any campaign that you’re trying to launch. Make sure you’re giving the right impression through your packaging.

These are only a few of the things that you need to identify so you can determine the type of packaging solutions that you need to look for.

Once you have a clear idea of what your requirements are, it’ll be easier to answer the question of whether the supplier can meet them or not.

What Is Their Area of Expertise?

Custom packaging comes in all types, shapes, and purposes. Not all suppliers can do it. This is why you have to consider the expertise of a company.

Some excel at making eco-friendly shipping boxes. Others are great at creating unique designs and shapes for rigid boxes. Some companies are experts in providing biodegradable plastic containers for shipping.

Think about the requirements that you need so you can find the right supplier with the expertise to fulfill them for you.

The benefit of working with experts is that they’re focused and constantly improving how they manufacture a specific type of packaging. Their expertise will give you access to innovative designs. They can also educate you and give you ideas on how to improve your original vision for the product box.

You’re better off with the experts if you want to impress your target market with your boxes.

What Do Past Customers or Clients Say About Them?

If you’ve been in business for some time, you’ll know that consumer reviews are powerful. You can find a lot of information about a company by reading reviews about them.

Go to review sources like Google or Amazon. According to reports, these are the top two review channels that people go to if they want to read customer reviews.

The website of the company is also a good source of information. Try to find reviews from different sources so you can gauge how the company deals with customers. Sometimes, companies are only great when it comes to selling their products. But when it comes to the actual production, they’re late or they don’t follow the design specifications that you requested.

Take the time to research these reviews so you can be sure that you’re choosing the right company to create your custom packaging.

What Are Their Certifications?

Apart from customer reviews, dig deep into the website of the supplier so you can check the certifications or licenses that they may have.

For instance, you’re looking for a company to produce sustainable shipping boxes. Look for companies that are FSC certified. These are green companies that adhere to the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council. That means the company implements sustainable practices when producing custom packaging for its clients. They also get their raw materials from responsibly managed forests.

Other certifications that you can look for include ISO (International Organization for Standardization), GFSI (Global Food Safety Initiative), ISTA (International Safe Transit Association), etc. You should also look into industry-specific certifications and other licenses that the local government requires. Does the supplier produce UN-approved boxes? How can they help you stay compliant with shipping guidelines?

These will help prove the trustworthiness and reliability of the company that you’re planning to work with.

Where Do They Source Their Packaging Materials?

Pay attention to where the supplier gets their product packaging materials. This may not always be available on the company’s website, but you can always ask them for information. This will help you determine if the packaging material suppliers are reputable sources.

For instance, a corrugated box that has an FSC label indicates that it comes from a well-managed forest. This can assure you that the materials don’t come from exploited forests and won’t pose a threat to the local communities around the forest.

Knowing the origin of the materials will allow you to judge the quality and sustainability of the product that you’ll get in the end.

It’ll also speak volumes about the integrity and ethical practices of the company.

Do They Accept Custom Packaging Designs?

Customization is an important service that packaging companies should offer. While you can save more money by using generic box dimensions and styles, custom product packaging is better at marketing your brand.

This is why you need to ask the supplier if they can create custom packaging for you. This will also show that they are innovative enough to accept designs that they haven’t done before. That shows real expertise.

This also means the company isn’t holding back when it comes to the creative product boxes that they can produce for you. This will give you a lot of room to improve your packaging design. It’ll also allow you to create unique designs that will blow the minds of your target market.

Can They Produce High-Quality and Durable Boxes?

This should be non-negotiable for you. The packaging company should be able to show you proof that their products are made of high-quality materials and are durable enough to protect your product.

This is very important if you’re ordering shipping boxes or product containers for fragile items. You want custom packaging that can guarantee that your product will reach its destination without damage.

Part of this question involves exploring the quality control of the company. Ask them about their procedures to ensure that your orders are free from defects. It’s not just about inspecting the finished products. It’s also about the materials and machinery they use during the production process.

Remember, the durability of the box will reflect on your brand. If you use a corrugated box that’s durable enough to be reused, that’ll also help promote sustainability among your customers.

How Innovative Are Their Designs?

One of the qualities of a great packaging company is its ability to be innovative with its designs. After all, the product packaging industry caters to a growing market. If the supplier you’re working with isn’t open to innovation, you can’t expect the best packaging solutions from them.

You also have to realize that innovation isn’t only about creative and unique designs. It’s also about the functionality and the overall experience of the customer as they receive, open, and reuse the product packaging. Your supplier should be able to give you innovative solutions so you can create the best unboxing experience for your target market.

Ask for examples and see how far the supplier is willing to go when it comes to creating packages with impact. Discuss how open they are to your unique packaging ideas and observe how accepting they are of new design possibilities.

What Are the Channels Used to Communicate with Them?

Communication is very important, especially if you’re choosing a packaging manufacturer from across the ocean. Without the proper communication channels in place, it might be hard to coordinate the design and output that you’re expecting from them.

The supplier should provide multiple options, like emails, phone calls, and even virtual meetings. If they can provide a platform that will allow you to monitor the progress of your packaging, that would be better.

Reading through customer reviews will give you an idea of how easy it is to communicate with the supplier. Look for comments about how the supplier communicates before, during, and after production. How do they handle negative feedback? Does the supplier comment on the review, or do they ignore it?

Being transparent and responsive are important characteristics that will lead to a successful collaboration between you and the supplier. It ensures a smoother development of custom packaging.

What Are Their Price Points?

Packaging costs are an important consideration when choosing the product box manufacturer to partner with. It’s not just about the price you have to pay per piece. It’s about understanding the pricing structure of the packaging company.

The truth is, if you want to work with companies that produce the best packaging materials, you have to be willing to pay the price for it. Going for cheap prices can sometimes lead to subpar product packaging that could damage your brand’s reputation.

To ensure that you’re getting the best value for your money, you have to discuss their pricing structure. Check out the volume discounts, customization costs, and other services they offer. The more you understand the factors affecting the price, the more you can make informed decisions about the final packaging that you want to order.

How Long Does Production Take?

Another important question to ask the packaging manufacturer is about their timeline. Time your order so it aligns with your marketing calendar (e.g., marketing campaigns, product launches).

This isn’t only about how fast they can produce your custom packaging. It’s about how long the design process will take, when they can give you a sample for approval, etc. You should also consider the quality control measures that they go through. Make sure you factor this into the timeline to ensure that what you’re getting delivered has been checked for damaged items.

How Far Can They Ship Out Products?

Finally, talk to the packaging manufacturer about the delivery of your custom packaging. The first thing that you want to know is if they deliver in your area. Second, you want to know how they’ll do it. Will they deliver it via sea, air, or land?

While most suppliers choose to deliver through shipping boxes and via sea, you might want to keep the option open to deliver by air. This way, you can get your items faster if ever there’s a need for them.

Make sure you check who shoulders the shipping costs. Be clear about who has to pay for it. Not only that but there are other taxes and fees involved in the shipment of goods. Clarify who gets to pay that.

Let’s Create Custom Boxes for Your Brand’s Packaging. Packoi Printing Has the Expertise and Experience to Help.

Asking the right questions allows you to get to know a packaging manufacturer thoroughly and determine if they are the right fit for your packaging needs. While it’s tempting to choose the one that has the cheapest custom boxes, it’s not always the best solution. You have to keep in mind that your packaging will represent your brand. Make sure it shows the real value of your business.

If you want to know more about creating product boxes for your brand, Packoi Printing can help. We’ve been providing packaging solutions to multiple clients across different industries.

Let’s talk about your packaging needs and how we can help you reach them. Call us, and we’ll get back to you with a fair quotation as soon as possible.