Custom Boxes vs. Stock Boxes – What to Opt for & Skip for Your Packaging Needs?

If we have to rank among the list of what contributes to the presentation, packaging is among those aspects that never stay behind. Whatever the product is, the box or bag communicates its aesthetics and benefits even before the user explores it in detail. In this blog, we’ll explore what the difference is between stock and custom-made boxes and tell you to consider the ones that can become the root cause of your brand’s growth. So, let’s read on.

Reasons to Go for Stock Packaging Boxes

Starting with the stock packaging, these boxes are utilized by thousands of brands, but the purpose behind opting for them is different. Below are some of the reasons why you should also count on them and ensure your brand’s packaging stays presentable without compromising on the costs.

• Tight Budgets

First of all, if your brand’s budget is low and you’re cutting on unnecessary expenses. The stock-produced boxes are your top choice to consider. The standard quality boxes feature a decent style and size options that any brand can consider without getting into the complexities of the boxes. That’s why they’re the only choice to consider for low upfront costs without paying for setup or design fees.

• Fast Timelines

Since these boxes’ solutions are produced locally and don’t have any complexities in the designs. They’re easily available to you with minimal delivery time. For urgent demands, it’s a major concern as the shortage of the boxes can cause huge loss in sales if the boxes aren’t available beforehand.

• Low Quantities

There are no MOQ requirements for the stock-produced packaging because the manufacturers fulfill their cost-averages by selling in bulk quantities to other companies. If your brand needs some dozens of boxes or in bulk, stock boxes are the ideal choice to go for.

• Standard Shapes

If your product’s dimensions are simple and don’t have any complicated design, stock packaging is a no-brainer for you. The simple boxes can accommodate any styled box without causing any placement issues. Also, for FMCG products, these boxes always outperform because of the minimalistic structural design.

• When to Skip Stock Boxes

Unfortunately, the bulk-produced boxes aren’t a great fit in every packaging scenario. Below are some of the factors that should be considered to avoid using these boxes.

• Fragile Goods

The cheap cost of the boxes shouldn’t be paid for the hefty cost of the product itself. Your brand can save some cents and even dollars with pre-made boxes. But the risk of damaging the product can cost you a lot. So, for high-end items, they’re not a recommended option to count on.

• Branding Goals

The difference in prioritizing your brand’s packaging is huge, as the simple design of the box won’t create an impact that must be coherent with the item. They’re not a bad choice, but for aesthetic impression, there are much better options available for your business.

• Odd Dimensions

For some products, the boxes are either oversized or too compact, and they can compromise the presentation. That’s why, other than the design impact, these boxes can cause fluctuations in the shipping costs, which eventually increase the cost margins at a scale. 

Reasons to Go for Custom Boxes

You know what and how stock boxes can contribute to your business growth, but the picture will remain unclear unless we consider custom boxes. Below are the perks your brand will reap after considering the tailored packaging. 

• Brand Storytelling

There’s no comparison to winning the branding game with custom boxes. The impact it creates is unachievable with stock packaging. Each element, including logos, colors, add-ons, and more. They all reflect the brand’s identity and leave a lasting impression.

• Precise Product Fit

Without an error of an inch, the tailored boxes are designed for a snug fit and packaging of a product. Its design is engineered to hug your product, and any extra space on the sides is cut down or filled with cushioning materials. They not only offer space efficiency but also reduce the shipping cost, which is a major concern due to irregular volumes of the boxes.

Whether you want custom cosmetic boxes for cream jars, pillow boxes for apparel, or rigid boxes for jewlery products, all items can perfectly fit inside custom packaging boxes

• Experimental Phase

You can consider the custom boxes when you’re figuring out the packaging designs. They can tell you how the customers' unboxing experience went up or down, and whether they can count on your brand or not. Elements such as QR codes or survey forms allow you to get end-user feedback and improve the packaging for better presentation.

• When to Skip Custom Boxes

Similar to the stock boxes, which aren’t crafted for every packaging need, the same goes for custom boxes; some of the factors are:

• Low-volume Demands

Unlike stock boxes, which are available in minimal to bulk quantities, that’s not the case with custom boxes. Since there’s a cost associated with the manufacturing of the tailored boxes, vendors accept orders for certain quantities to minimize the per-unit production cost. If you're demanding a lower quantity, then they may have to pay some extra cost.

• Minimalistic Approach

Though custom boxes also come in simple designs, if they’re near to stock-produced boxes, why not save big by going directly for them? Because customizations on the tailored boxes, even with low requirements, cost much more.

The Bottom Line

All in all, we hope you understand the detailed difference between both stock-produced and custom packaging solutions. The winner isn’t a single one, but the usage of them determines their application. You should partner with a packaging company that first understands your demands and then offers you the solutions accordingly.

OXO Packaging has you covered with 100-500 units of MOQ and the support is always available to cater to your demands at competitive costs. You can reach us by calling (510) 500-9533 or writing your query to sales@oxopackaging.com for a detailed response.