If you’re a packaging print service provider stepping into the online space, you’ll likely face this question:
Should I sell custom size boxes or standard size boxes online?
It’s a question that can shape your entire packaging business strategy. Both options have their strengths and challenges.
Custom size boxes offer creative freedom and higher margins, while standard size boxes provide speed, simplicity, and affordability. But which is better for your customers and your bottom line?
In this blog, we’ll break it down for you. We’ll explore the pros and cons of each, current packaging trends, and how the right box design software can help you sell smarter, not harder.
Let’s get started!
Selling Custom Size Boxes Online
Offering custom-sized boxes gives customers the flexibility to get packaging that fits their products perfectly. It’s ideal for brands focused on premium presentation, but it also requires advanced technology and streamlined operations to manage efficiently.
Key Benefits of Selling Custom Size Boxes Online
- Perfect Fit for Any Product
Customers can define exact dimensions, ensuring the box fits their product precisely, reducing material waste and improving unboxing experiences. - Premium Branding and Margins
Custom boxes support full branding potential. Because of their tailored nature, they can be sold at higher prices, especially to industries focused on customer experience. - Strong Demand from High-Value Segments
Direct-to-consumer brands, luxury product lines, subscription box companies, and boutique eCommerce sellers often prefer custom-fit packaging to reinforce brand identity.
Key Challenges of Selling Custom Size Boxes Online
- Complex Pricing Models
Since each order varies in size, material, and finish, pricing needs to be dynamically calculated. A robust pricing engine is essential to avoid delays or manual quoting. - Short-Run Efficiency
Many custom orders are low in quantity, making production less efficient unless processes are highly optimized. - Real-Time Visualization Requirements
Displaying 3D previews for custom sizes requires advanced rendering capabilities, which not all platforms offer natively.
Tip: Choose a web-to-print platform that supports real-time dimension input, auto-generates die lines, updates preview dynamically and calculates prices instantly.
Selling Standard Size Boxes Online
This model involves offering a set of pre-defined box sizes that customers can personalize. It’s quicker to launch, easier to manage, and well-suited for high-volume business.
Key Benefits of Selling Standard Size Boxes Online
- Fast Setup and Scalability
Once you define your SKUs, you can list them online and start selling immediately, ideal for businesses wanting fast go-to-market timelines. - Simple Pricing and Production
With set dimensions, pricing is consistent and easy to communicate. Standard dies and simplified production workflows help reduce costs and speed up delivery. - Suitable for High-Demand Use Cases
Industries like bakeries, fast food, eCommerce, and gifting often need standard boxes in bulk. This model is perfect for fulfilling those needs efficiently.
Key Challenges of Selling Standard Size Boxes Online
- Limited Flexibility
Customers with unique size requirements may not find a suitable option, leading them to look elsewhere. - Competitive Pricing Pressure
Since standard boxes are easier to compare across providers, pricing can become a race to the bottom unless you differentiate it with design, print quality, or service.
Tip: Consider offering premium print finishes, faster delivery, or value-added services to stand out while selling standard box sizes.
Discover how our web-to-pack solutions makes it easy to sell both custom and standard boxes online.
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So, Which Should You Sell—Custom Size Boxes or Standard Boxes?
It depends! The choice ultimately comes down to your packaging business goals, target audience, and operational capabilities. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide:
| Factor | Custom Size Boxes | Standard Size Boxes |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Dynamic (varies by size, material, etc.) | Fixed/static (consistent pricing) |
| Ease of Production | More complex | Streamlined |
| Setup Time | Moderate to high | Low |
| Ideal Audience | Premium & niche brands | High-volume buyers |
| Tech Required | Advanced software needed | Basic templates work |
| Scaling Potential | High (with automation) | Very high (with catalog) |
Final Recommendation: What’s the Best Approach for Your Packaging Business?
Custom size boxes are great for offering value-added packaging to brand-conscious clients but they require advanced configuration, pricing, and visualization tools.
Standard size boxes are easier to manage and faster to sell, but offer lower margins and may limit your market reach.
The best approach? Offer both.
Start with a catalog of standard boxes to build volume and gradually introduce custom-size offerings as you scale your operations and technology. With the right 3D box design software, you can support both models effectively and cater to a wider customer base.
What You Need to Succeed (Regardless of the Box Type)
- Whether you choose to sell custom size boxes, standard boxes, or both, one thing is clear: the right web to print software is the backbone of your packaging printing shop success. Without it, managing orders, pricing, and production can quickly become overwhelming. Here’s what your box packaging design software must include to keep your packaging printing business running smoothly:
Must-Have Features in Your Box Design Software
Here are the essential features that streamline packaging orders, boost customer satisfaction, and help scale your print and packaging business online.
Custom Size Configurator:
Allow customers to enter exact dimensions (L×W×H) for a truly tailored product with our advanced web to pack technology. This feature is essential for custom box sales but can also enhance standard offerings by showing available options.
How DesignNBuy Helps: Our intuitive product configurator lets customers input dimensions in real-time, ensuring a perfect fit every time whether they’re ordering custom or exploring standard sizes. See how easy it is to offer custom-size print products.
Dynamic Pricing Engine:
Provide real-time pricing updates based on size, material, finish, and quantity. Transparency builds trust and helps customers make informed decisions without delays.
How DesignNBuy Helps: Our dynamic pricing engine calculates costs instantly, eliminating manual quotes and ensuring accuracy for every order. See the pricing module in action as it handles all your complex product pricing needs.
Live 3D Preview:
Let customers visualize their branded box with artwork applied—before they buy. This reduces uncertainty, minimizes revisions, and boosts confidence in their purchase.
How DesignNBuy Helps: With our immersive 3D preview, customers can rotate, zoom, and inspect their designs from every angle, ensuring their vision matches the final product.
Die line Template Generator:
Automatically create accurate, print-ready die lines based on customer inputs. This eliminates manual errors and speeds up the prepress process.
How DesignNBuy Helps: Our package box design software generates precise die lines dynamically, saving time and reducing costly mistakes during production.
Catalog of Standard Templates:
Offer a library of ready-to-use box styles for customers who want quick, off-the-shelf solutions. This simplifies ordering for standard boxes and appeals to budget-conscious buyers.
How DesignNBuy Helps: Our extensive template library includes popular box styles that customers can personalize instantly, making it easy to cater to high-volume buyers.
Production-Ready Output:
Ensure every order comes with dielines, artwork, and job tickets that are optimized for seamless production. This streamlines workflows and reduces costly mistakes.
How DesignNBuy Helps: Every order is paired with production-ready files, ensuring your team has everything they need to fulfill orders efficiently and accurately.
Why These Web To Print Features Matter
The features don’t just make your life easier, but they also enhance the customer experience. A smooth, intuitive platform builds trust, encourages repeat business, and sets you apart from competitors. Whether you’re fulfilling custom orders or scaling standard box sales, these features ensure efficiency, accuracy, and profitability.
Final Thoughts: Why Selling Custom size Box and Standard Boxes Online is Essential for Packaging Print service provider
Selling boxes online whether custom or standard, is no longer optional. It’s a smart, strategic move for any packaging printer ready to scale their business, save time, and deliver exceptional customer experiences.
So, ask yourself:
- Are you ready to meet the growing demand for custom product packaging?
- Are you equipped to give your customers what they want and grow while you’re at it?
Let’s make it happen.
- Talk to us today and start your packaging journey the smart way with DesignNBuy, the best software for packaging design. Whether you’re focusing on standard sizes, custom size packaging boxes or both, we’ll help you streamline operations, attract more customers, and boost your bottom line.
Want to see how it works for your packaging business?
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