Buyer’s guide
What Affects the Cost of a Corrugated Box
Published 6 November 2026 by Timepack
The cost of a corrugated box comes down to how much board it uses, which board that is, how it is printed and cut, how many you order, and where it is delivered. Because those change with every box, a reliable price comes from a quote on your specification, and comparing quotes only works when they are for the same specification.
What sets the price
Each of these moves the price of a box, and most can be changed without weakening the pack.
| Factor | Why it matters | What you can do |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Board area drives material cost, and it grows quickly with the box size. | Measure the product and avoid empty space in the box. |
| Board grade | Double wall uses more paper than single wall, and heavier liners cost more. | Ask for the lightest grade that does the job, and test a sample. |
| Box style | A regular slotted carton uses board efficiently; a shape may need a die. | Use an existing die or a standard style if it fits. |
| Printing | More colours and more coverage cost more, and each design needs a print stereo. | Fewer colours, and one design across several sizes where it works. |
| Tooling | A print stereo is a once-off cost, paid on the first run and kept for repeats. | Reorder the same artwork to avoid paying for tooling again. |
| Quantity | Longer runs spread the setup across more boxes, and minimums are set by board area. | Order per run what you will use, and ask for the unit figure at more than one quantity. |
| Delivery | Boxes are supplied flat on pallets, so the distance and the number of pallets count. | Consolidate deliveries where you can. |
How to compare two quotes
A low price on a thinner board is not cheaper if the boxes crush. Before comparing, confirm that both quotes state the same things.
- Internal dimensions and box style
- Board grade, with the flute and both liners named
- Number of colours and who pays for the stereo
- Quantity, and whether you are invoiced on what is delivered
- The over and under supply tolerance
- Whether delivery is included, and to where
- Lead time, and when the clock starts
How to bring the cost down
Over-specifying board is a common and expensive habit, so the first step is usually the board.
- Describe the load and the journey, and ask whether a lighter grade or a different style would still do the job.
- Check whether a stock size fits, because no production run is needed.
- Reduce the print to the colours that carry the brand.
- Use printed tape instead of a printed box until the volume justifies it.
- Keep one design and reorder it, so the stereo is paid for once.
Why Timepack quotes rather than listing prices
Timepack quotes each box because manufactured boxes are made to a specification, so there is no single price to list. Stock items on ShopXpress go through a quote cart in the same way, and the sales team confirms the price, stock and a delivery date.
To quote accurately we need the box style, internal dimensions (L × W × H in mm), quantity per order, board grade preference, printing requirements and your delivery address.
- How to measure a box: the dimensions a quote needs
- ShopXpress: stock sizes held at the factory
- How to choose a box manufacturer: the checklist beyond price
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cardboard box cost?
It depends on the size, the board grade, the print and the quantity, so there is no single price. For a figure, send the internal dimensions, the quantity, the board if you know it, any printing and your delivery address. Timepack confirms prices on a quote rather than listing them online.
How much is one carton?
A single carton has no list price at Timepack, because stock boxes are sold by the bundle and made-to-order boxes by the run. The quote gives a price per box for your size and quantity.
Who is the cheapest box supplier?
It depends on what you compare. A price only means something against the same size, board, print and quantity, so ask each supplier to quote the same specification, and ask what a lighter board would save.
Why does a printed box cost more on the first order?
Because the first order carries the print stereo, the plate that carries your design. It is a once-off tooling cost: Timepack keeps it and reuses it on repeat orders of the same artwork.
Is it cheaper to buy stock boxes or custom boxes?
For small quantities, stock boxes are the usual choice because no production run is needed. Custom boxes start from ±500 m² of board, and they suit you when a stock size wastes space or does not fit.
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Tell us what you need made
Send us the size, the quantity and what has to go inside it. We will come back with a spec and a price.