Jewelry is the category where packaging most obviously carries the perceived value of the product, and it is also where minimum orders usually stop small makers from doing it properly. Here is what ordering at 100 units actually looks like, answered as the questions people ask.
Can I really order only 100 jewelry boxes?
Yes. The minimum across the catalog is 100 boxes, and it applies here as it does everywhere else. The die, the print plates, design support and US shipping are included, which is the part that usually makes a small custom run unaffordable elsewhere. What you should expect is a higher per unit cost than a bulk run, since the set up work is spread across fewer boxes. The figure of about $0.48 per unit applies at bulk volumes and is confirmed on your written quote.
Rigid box or folding carton?
| Rigid box | Folding carton | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Solid, does not flex, reads as premium | Light, folds flat, reads as retail |
| Cost per unit | Higher | Lower |
| Shipping and storage | Arrives assembled, takes volume | Ships flat, assembled by you |
| Lead time | Some specialty imported constructions run up to about 12 weeks | From about 7 business days plus 2 to 5 for delivery |
A middle option that suits a lot of small brands: a folding tray with a printed sleeve. It ships flat, costs closer to a carton, and the sleeve gives you the premium print surface.
What holds the piece inside?
Whatever the box, the insert does the work. A board insert with a slot or a recess is the cheapest and keeps the pack to a single material. A foam or flocked pad holds a ring or a stud more securely and feels softer in the hand. For chains, the thing that matters is a fixing point at the top so the chain hangs rather than pools, since a tangled chain out of the box is a bad first impression. Tell us the piece and we will suggest the simplest insert that holds it.
How do I keep a small run looking expensive?
Spend on one thing, not everything. A foil stamped logo on an otherwise plain box does more than a full color print. A textured or uncoated board with a blind deboss looks considered and costs less than lamination plus foil plus a window. Interior color is another cheap win, since the moment of opening is where the box gets judged.
How long does a small run take?
Allow from about 7 business days in production on the standard lane and a further 2 to 5 days for delivery. Rush uses expedited production with air freight and carries a premium of about 7 to 25% depending on the job, which is worth it for a fixed launch or a market date and not much else. Cost saver ships by sea and is the cheapest lane if you can plan ahead. Rigid work is the most likely to sit in the longest lane, so confirm it in writing if a date matters.
What do you need from me to quote?
The dimensions of the piece as it will sit in the box, the quantity, whether you want rigid or folding, and any artwork you have. If you have a box you like from another brand, its measurements are a good starting point. Nothing prints until you approve a digital proof.
Start with 100
Send the piece dimensions and quantity to the quote form and ask for samples in the same message. For the wider range see custom jewelry boxes, for sizing see jewelry box dimensions, and for the premium construction see rigid boxes.
