Custom Shipping Boxes vs. Stock Boxes: The Difference

Boxes say a lot about your brand, so it’s important to understand the difference between custom shipping boxes and stock boxes when you’re choosing packaging for your brand. Here’s what you need to know and how to decide between the two:

What Are Custom Shipping Boxes?

Custom shipping boxes are totally customized to meet the needs of the client. With custom boxes, you can select your own dimensions and create your own design to fit your products and brand personality.

What Are the Different Types of Custom Shipping Boxes?

There are so many different types of custom shipping boxes out there that your options are practically endless. Here are some of our favorite types of custom shipping boxes from BoxGenie:

• Custom mailer box: Perfect for eCommerce or subscription service brands, custom mailer boxes are sturdy, secure, and stylish.
• Custom one-piece folder box: Ideal for shipping flat items like books or artwork, one-piece folder boxes are sleek and easy to assemble.
• Custom shipping box: Take a boring box to the next level with this custom shipping box with exact sizing and high-definition printing.
• Custom triangle document mailer: Protect important documents and artwork with an innovative triangle document mailer.

What Are Stock Boxes?

On the other hand, stock boxes are bulk manufactured in a limited number of sizes and styles. Stock boxes tend to come in basic colors like brown and white, and you cannot include any custom information like your brand logo or even your brand name.

What’s the Difference Between Custom Shipping Boxes and Stock Boxes?

Besides the obvious customization factor, there are a few key differences between custom shipping boxes and stock boxes for product packaging. Custom packaging boxes or custom printed boxes may cost more than basic stock boxes since they’re custom-made and not mass-produced.

Additionally, custom shippers have to be ordered in advance from a custom packaging provider instead of being able to purchase them on the spot either online or in a store. Some companies, like Box Genie, can still have custom boxes ready to ship in less than 10 business days.

And finally, custom shipping boxes are ideal for business purposes, whereas stock boxes are ideal for personal purposes.

Why Choose Custom Shipping Boxes Over Stock Boxes?

Although custom shipping boxes may cost a bit more than the stock alternative, it’s well worth it to go custom. But don’t just take our word for it; here are some reasons why you should choose custom shipping boxes over stock boxes:

1. Establish Brand Awareness

If you’re a brand that’s just starting, custom shipping boxes are a great way to get your name out there and establish brand awareness. Printing your brand name and logo on the sides of the box instead of using plain white boxes tells customers who you are and what you’re about — all in a seemingly simple cardboard box!

2. Promote Brand Personality

Boring stock boxes often send a message to customers that your brand is, well, boring.

And while that’s obviously not the case, you’re not able to show off your brand personality with a plain cardboard box. Instead, custom packaging allows you to promote your brand’s unique personality through your box style with fun color printing, fonts, and full-color images.

3. Earn Free Advertising

While some people see packaging as a waste, you can get a return on your packaging investment by using custom packaging as free advertising for your brand. Incorporating your brand logo in a custom design is a great way to grab the attention of everyone from the mailman to the next-door neighbor when the package is being delivered.

4. Create an Unboxing Experience

Exciting unboxing experiences are all the rage these days, and the best way to create an unforgettable unboxing experience for your customers is to use custom packaging. When custom packaging is combined with other thoughtful packaging elements like custom product inserts, fillers, and notes, your brand is bound to go viral in an unboxing video.

5. Boost Customer Loyalty

It’s a well-known fact that it’s cheaper to retain an existing customer than gain a new customer. However, it’s not as well known that you can actually retain more customers by using high-quality custom packaging.

When your customers are familiar with your brand and have good experiences with it, thanks to your packaging, they’re more likely to purchase again in the future.

6. Eliminate Packaging Waste

Consumers are increasingly concerned about the environment and, as a result, are prioritizing brands with eco-friendly packaging practices.

Using custom sizes for your packaging, or opting for recyclable packaging, allows it to perfectly fit your products, meaning you can eliminate packaging waste and establish yourself as a green brand that’s invested in protecting the environment.

7. Improve Packaging Protection

One of the main functions of product boxes is protection, and with custom boxes, you’re able to get more accurate dimensions that fit your products. As a result, you can improve the level of protection offered by your packaging. This is because when products have more room to move around, they are more likely to break during the shipping process.

How to Order Custom Boxes for Your Brand?

Clearly, spending a little bit more on ordering custom boxes for your brand is worthwhile so long as you choose the right packaging provider and come up with an effective design. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you achieve just that:

Step 1: Find a Packaging Provider

For starters, you need to find a packaging provider that offers custom boxes. If you look online for custom packaging providers, just make sure to do your research and due diligence on the providers you’re considering.

Step 2: Choose Your Packaging

Next, you need to choose your specific type of packaging. For example, Box Genie offers custom mailer boxes, one-piece folder boxes, shipping boxes, and triangle document mailers. If you’re unsure which type of packaging is best for you, feel free to consult with the packaging experts at your chosen packaging provider.

Step 3: Calculate Your Dimensions

After that, it’s time to calculate your dimensions based on your products. You want to achieve a tight fit to protect your products during the shipping process and minimize your shipping costs that are calculated based on package size.

Step 4: Determine Your Quantities

Now you have to determine the number of custom boxes to order. Keep in mind that packaging providers like Box Genie offer bulk discounts, so the more boxes you order, the less you’ll pay per unit.

Step 5: Create or Upload Your Design

Finally, you can create your custom shipping box using Box Genie’s innovative online design tool. If you have already created a box design using another program, you can email it in after placing your order.

Step 6: Get Shipping!

Once your design has been received, Box Genie will start working on your order — getting it printed and out the door as soon as possible so that you can start shipping with your new custom boxes.

Wrap Up

With Box Genie, you can create beautiful custom shipping boxes in just a few clicks. If you need any help along the way, always feel free to reach out to our packaging experts for personalized assistance and recommendations.

Sources:

Brand Personality Definition | Investopedia

How to Create an Unforgettable Unboxing Experience for Your Customers | Small Business Trends

Most Consumers Want Sustainable Products and Packaging | Business News Daily