The Important Thing to Consider For Subscription Boxes

If done correctly, subscription boxes can significantly improve the customer experience and reduce the dropout rate. Your packaging is where you can control your brand image. It is a visual narrative that should excite customers and serve to your advantage, providing a list of actions for the consumer and providing an element of valuable packaging experience.

However, organizing, designing, or ordering custom packaging is not easy. What types of custom packaging boxes are available? How come? What is the best price? How many boxes should I buy?

These are the types of questions that subscription business owners need to consider when preparing for their first subscription. Below, we’ve provided solutions to these questions and will guide you from start to finish on what to expect and how to proceed when you place your first custom packaging order.

There are many types of packaging that can be customized.

Let’s start with the different varieties of packaging offered. While many of them use the box as part of their titles, your subscription business shouldn’t be limited to just packing what a box to pack your products is. There are many alternatives to packaging, such as:

Lining/Bubble Envelopes

These mailers are constructed of bubble wrap or other forms of the lining using a protective element directly in the design of the package. This is perfect for smaller packages or subscription boxes that focus on products that are not fragile, such as clothing.

Corrugated Boxes

It is about the same size as document envelopes; however, they have square sides. They are ideal for small items such as gifts or cosmetics.

Luxury Rigid Boxes

These boxes are made of an outer layer of chipboard/heavy cardboard to provide strength and rigidity to the package. They are made to protect against damage during transport.

When deciding what type of packaging to choose when choosing a type of packaging, you will need to consider the contents of the box, the size of each product, and how fragile they are. The corrugated subscription boxes could be the best choice for massive and fragile products.

Digital Box Printing

Once you’ve decided on the type of packaging you’re looking for, start thinking about how you’d like that packaging to be built.

Digital printing is fast becoming the most commonly used printing technique. It is identical to the traditional laser printer at home, and the machine mixes the inks and then transfers the drawings to the box. It also allows for minimal ordering and does not require a tooling fee, lowering start-up costs.

Right Packaging Dimensions

When deciding on the size of the box, you can always seek the advice of existing companies. We surveyed over 100 companies that subscribe to Chargebee to identify the most commonly used package sizes. See the findings below.

Selecting the ideal box size should be the next step. Although it may seem unnecessary, it plays an important role in the safe packaging of the product and the calculation of the shipping cost.

For example, if you choose to use USPS, the size of the package may significantly affect the price range that your box will enter.

USPS shipping is the most cost-effective way to send your subscription.

Their price is not based on weight; instead, it is based on volume. Why is this so important? Because you can design your box to reduce shipping costs.

With 1,000 subscribers, you’ll save about $175 on shipping costs from $ 0.1 to $ 0.2. If you have 10,000 subscribers, you will save about $ 1,750 per month on shipping costs due to the improved price.

Compared to prices of 0.3, it means an additional $3,000 savings per 1,000 subscribers. With 10,000 subscribers, you will save over $30,000!

When deciding on the size of your project, keep in mind that your choice could affect the cost of your project.

Box Design

Once you’ve selected the style and size of the package, it’s time to design!

This step may be completed in tandem with the next printer selection.

Several digital printing companies, including PackagingPrinting, offer the opportunity to create box branding, which could be faster to assemble.

However, check out our suggestions if you’d like a few ideas for a design prototype to test before uploading it to the printer’s website.

Because the design process may differ, here are some general guidelines:

Choose the software you want to use. You’ll probably use Adobe Illustrator for ready-to-print templates using Adobe Creative Suite. You can also check DesignHill to create a logo for your subscription boxes. With their online logo creator, you can create logos quickly.

Consider your color scheme. Too many colors may seem confusing or slightly confusing visually. Choose 1-4 colors for your branding scheme to simplify the design.

Remember the CTAs. Make sure you maximize the efficiency of your design to keep your customers focused.

You may want to consider producing a sample box. Some digital printers will give you the custom sample before deciding on your order. These may be useful for the first photos of your product, and this can help you decide if you’re happy with your design or want to change it.

Choose Trustworthy Packaging and Printing Company

Be aware of these factors when looking for a printing company that uses digital technology:

Locating a printer nearby and finding manufacturers near you helps reduce shipping and transportation costs.

Printing companies allow you to see a price quote when designing your order through their website. Before you start, you need to know the size you want and the order quantity in your head.

Compare the time required for each company to print and ship the order. This time frame will affect the overall delivery schedule and the time required for your customers to receive the box each month.

What printers would Cratejoy suggest?

Many printing companies sell subscription boxes; however, I found this trio the most reliable deal available. Look!

BoxUp: As you probably already know, Cratejoy has a partnership with BoxUp, which offers discounts to Cratejoy merchants. BoxUp’s wide range of packaging options, its ability to deliver minimum order quantities (you can place a small order!), Unlimited color options and fast delivery times have convinced us of their superior quality.

Rush Custom Boxes: Like BoxUp, Rush Custom Boxes offers a fast turnaround and almost endless customization. There is also no minimum order size, and it also offers an instant price quote that you can calculate the cost of packaging before placing an order.

Although Rush Custom Boxes offers various package designs, it also offers distinct (durable) materials and custom sizes that can add uniqueness to your box. You can get a sample box if you are interested as well.

Brand Color: This small business has no color restrictions, and the fastest time I have ever met – 3 days from ordering to delivery. They have four varieties of boxes and the ability to print photos clearly on the box.

PackagingPrinting: For every order you place, PackagingPrinting will automatically send you a printed proof of your concept (prepared by one of their designers) within 24 hours for your approval. They will not print the boxes until you are satisfied with the final version. In addition, PackagingPrinting offers various materials to design your box and create any size you want.

Order Custom Packaging

Think of a good quality box and ink. Recycled or sustainable packaging and ink may cost more but may be appropriate for your brand, depending on your niche.

Make sure you have different types of boards in mind. Not all printers offer multiple types of cartons. When evaluating what you will receive in your box (small to large? Fragile?) Ask your printer what box material they recommend as the ideal box.

In general, try to get at least $3.00 per box when buying custom packaging, especially when you order more than 1000 boxes. When comparing prices between different printers, make specific notes about what causes price fluctuations: the type of box, the material and volume of the order volume, and other factors.

Once you’ve placed your original order, start planning ways to increase your quantity and get higher rates for future orders. Make a note 30 days in advance when you run out of boxes and, in addition, be able to purchase and send the next round of boxes. This should give you enough time to ship, pack, and meet your deadline!

Still not sure how to design custom packaging? Include them in the comments section below, and let us know how we can improve the quality of this guide!