Most soap makers do not stall because they cannot afford boxes. They stall because the first quote came back with a tooling charge attached to a thousand unit minimum, for a product they have sold forty of. A hundred box minimum with the die and plates included changes that arithmetic, and this page explains exactly what a first run looks like.
How small can a first order actually be?
One hundred boxes, per size and per artwork. That last part is the detail that catches people out. If you want two carton sizes, that is two runs of 100. If you want four scents each with its own printed carton, that is four runs. The way most small makers handle it is to print one carton design for the whole line and differentiate with a label, a sticker or a band, then split into separate printed cartons once a scent proves itself.
What does it cost?
Pricing starts from about $0.48 per unit at bulk volumes. A hundred boxes is not a bulk volume, so expect the per unit figure at 100 to be higher, and ask for it in writing alongside a price at 250, 500 and 1,000 so you can see the curve before you decide. We will not quote you a number here that we cannot stand behind for your specific size, board and print.
What is included, and what is quoted separately?
| Included in the order | Quoted as a separate line |
|---|---|
| The cutting die for your size | Lamination, foil stamping and embossing |
| The printing plates | Spot UV and other added finish passes |
| Design support to build or check your file | Window film patching |
| US shipping | Inserts, sleeves and any second item |
| A digital proof before anything prints | Rush lane, at a premium of about 7 to 25% depending on the job |
How a first run goes, step by step
- Measure a fully cured bar and send the numbers with a photo. Soap box dimensions covers the method.
- We come back with a size recommendation, a board recommendation and a written per unit price at your quantity.
- You send artwork, or we build the dieline for you and you drop your design onto it.
- You approve a digital proof. Nothing prints before that approval.
- The run is produced at one of two plants, West Chicago in the United States or Guangzhou in China, and shipped on the lane you chose.
How long does it take?
Turnaround is stated per product, not as a blanket promise. The floor is from about 7 business days plus 2 to 5 days for delivery on the Standard lane, Cost saver moves by sea and takes longer for a lower price, and Rush combines expedited production with air freight for a premium of about 7 to 25%. Specialty imported items can run up to about 12 weeks. If you have a market date, say it in the first message.
Send a photo of your bar and your quantity to the quote form for a real number at 100 units. For board, finish and structure choices, read the soap boxes buying guide, and for the general rule across products, what the minimum order is.
