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13 Things to Look for in a Retail Box Supplier

Last Updated on February 25, 2025 by Steve Harsh

As a business owner, you know how important it is to find the right supplier for your retail boxes. Not only do you need a supplier that can provide high-quality products, but you also need one that can meet your deadlines and budget. So, what should you look for when choosing a box supplier? Here are eight things to keep in mind.

1. Quality

Regarding retail boxes, you need a supplier that can provide high-quality products. This means the boxes should be made from sturdy materials and have a smooth, professional finish. Look for a supplier with high-quality materials and a good reputation for producing durable boxes.

2. Durability

Make sure that you get a product that has durability and works well for long-term use. Try to get the material to save your products from damage, including environmental factors like humidity and moisture.

3. Impressive Designs

Getting your product some beauty always comes in handy, so you should use the designs that make your products stand out. When hiring a company, you should make sure that you get to choose from their designs that would look special.

Make sure you choose the boxes that work incredibly well to protect your products against shipping factors. Getting better results also depends on the trends you follow for your boxes. So, it would be best if you were sure that the company you are hiring knows about the latest trends for these boxes.

Try to explore their design team’s ideas to find out what kind of products you should be looking to have. The better the design team, the more attractiveness you can have for your boxes, so be sure about the design abilities of your providers. Also, they should know what colors are trending these days and which ones should suit your product most.

4. Experience And Expertise

Designing and creating great products requires a company with experience and expertise in its niche. So, you should always make sure that you go for a provider with years of design industry experience. Only when your providers have a great experience do you get a design that suits your product.

For instance, if you have a food product, your packaging should be good enough to make your product tempting and mouth-watering for your customers. At the same time, a specific color may suit a particular product, so you should find out about that, too.

5. Vast Variety of Available Boxes Types

Having a variety of boxes to choose from can make your products unique, so make sure you use the services that have that. Try to look for a company that offers multiple types of boxes, like:

• Rigid boxes: You can use rigid boxes for display and presentation. So, your provider should offer these boxes to make your work easier.
• Folding boxes: These are a great choice if you want thick boxes that you can use for storage.
• Corrugated boxes: This type is another that vendors can use for retail purposes. It gives you an extra layer of protection, which is why it is a perfect choice for shipping.

What you want depends on your needs and the products you are shipping, so make sure you have the right boxes. If the provider you choose has all of these boxes, it can be great to get their services. You may require a variety of boxes for your products, so you choose a provider with the facility to get any that you want.

6. Discounts and Extra Services

Of course, you’ll also need to consider price when choosing a box supplier. Don’t just go with the cheapest option, though. Make sure to compare the prices of different suppliers to get an idea of what’s fair. Once you’ve found a few options that meet your quality and budget requirements, you can decide based on price.

So, you can go for a company that is not only cheap but also provides high-quality services. Just ensure they provide real value for the money you spend on their services. You will surely get a real return if they do better than your price. But if it is opposed to that and they do not offer value for the money you spend, look for a different company.

7. Price

Discounts can help you save a lot on the money spent on production, so you should look for a company that offers free-of-cost services. Some of the most common free-of-cost offers online are free die-cutting and printing plates.

Another free service you can get from some providers is they offer you a free design that you can print on your product. So, if they provide you with such a service, they are offering excellent services you go for.

8. Delivery Times

Another essential factor to consider is delivery time. You don’t want to choose a supplier who takes forever to deliver your order. Instead, look for a supplier who can provide quick turnaround times. This way, you can be sure you’ll receive your order on time and start selling your products as soon as possible.

Different companies have different turnaround times for providing the services they offer. A standard and competitive turnaround time is 8 to 10 business days; many companies follow this standard.

But why settle for something mediocre when you get the best? Ensure you go for a company that offers a maximum of 8 to 10 business days. Faster delivery can help you save time and money, which can help you get your boxes sooner.

9. Quantity

You’ll also need to ensure your supplier can provide the quantities required. This is especially important if you’re ordering in large quantities. Pay careful attention to the minimum order amounts of different suppliers before making your final decision and if there are any deadline extensions or modifications based on order size.

You should also be clear about when your provider needs to process a more significant order to ensure you get that in time. They should not have any less quantity; if they do, it should not be too high for you to meet. If they do not provide the maximum or minimum number of boxes you need, then their services are useless to you. Ensure they offer the number of boxes you want them to make for you.

Many companies would allow you to get at least 100 boxes per order. So, if they reach that standard, you can go for their services.

10. Materials

Regarding retail boxes, you have a few different material options. You can often choose from the following materials: cardboard, Kraft paper, or chipboard.

• Cardboard is the most common type of material used for retail boxes. It’s strong and durable, making it an excellent option for shipping products.
• Kraft paper is another popular choice as it’s also strong and durable. However, it’s not as stiff as cardboard, so it may not be ideal for shipping heavier products.
• Chipboard is a lightweight material that’s often used for packaging lighter products.

Each material has benefits and drawbacks, so make sure your chosen vendor offers the needed material.

11. Customization

You might also want to consider a vendor who offers customization options. You can add your company logo or brand colors to your boxes. This can help you create a more cohesive look for your products and make your brand more recognizable. A few customizations offered typically include:

• Printing: This is the most common type of customization. Add your company logo, brand colors, or other design elements to your boxes.
• Foiling: This is a process where the foil is applied to your boxes. This can give them a shiny, metallic finish.
• Embossing: This is a process where your design is made to stand out on the boxes physically.
• Die-cutting: This is a process where your boxes are cut into unique shapes. This can be a great way to make your brand stand out.
• Suitable Color: The color you want on your boxes should be spot on and suit the product you want to use it for.
• Customization: Make sure that your provider makes sure that you get to customize the box to the fullest level.
• Perfect Design: They should have a team that can handle your needs with excellent designs and unique products.
• Product Protection: These boxes should be able to protect your products better, too.
• Fulfill All Needs: They should pay attention to the creative process to ensure the end product perfectly meets all of your needs.

12. Sustainability

You’ll also want to consider sustainability when choosing a box supplier. Look for a vendor who uses sustainable materials and practices. This way, you can be sure that your boxes are not only good for the environment but also good for your business. A few things to look for include:

• Recycled materials: Look for a supplier who uses recycled materials in their boxes. This way, you can be sure that your boxes are made from sustainable materials.
• Biodegradable materials: Another option is to look for biodegradable materials. This means your boxes will eventually break down and not add to the landfill problem.
• Eco-friendly practices: You should also look for vendors who have eco-friendly practices. This means they use renewable energy sources, recycle waste, and use sustainable packaging methods.

13. Customer Service

Finally, make sure that your supplier has good customer service. This is important because you want to be able to contact them if you have any questions or concerns. A few things to look for include:

• A phone number: This is the best way to reach a live person.
• An email address: This is another way to contact customer service. However, it may take longer to get a response.
• A live chat: This is an excellent option if you need an immediate response.

What Their Customer Support Should Have

• You should go for a company that has lenient and helpful customer support.
• Ensure you get your solution as quickly as possible when you want to analyze customer support.
• Customer support should provide quality to solve your problems and be willing to go the extra mile.
• If a company provides you with 24/7 support, they are serious about their services so that you can rely on them.

So these are some things to must know while selecting a retail packaging box company

Selecting a Retail Box Supplier Has Never Been Easier

These are just a few factors to consider when choosing a box supplier for your business. Take your time and choose a vendor who can offer everything you need. With a little bit of research, you can be sure to find the perfect supplier for your business.