Quick answer: In the UK in 2026, digitally printed custom boxes typically cost £0.80–£3.50 per unit at 50–250 units, custom paper bags £0.60–£2.50 per bag, and custom labels £0.05–£0.40 each. Prices fall sharply with volume — unit costs often drop 20–40% between 100 and 500 units. The biggest cost drivers are size, material grade, print coverage and finishing.
What Actually Drives the Price?
Four factors decide most of your quote:
- Size and material — bigger boxes and heavier board grades cost more. Right-sizing your packaging to the product is the single easiest saving.
- Print coverage — full-colour print inside and out costs more than a one-colour logo on kraft.
- Finishing — matt or gloss lamination, foil blocking, embossing and spot UV each add cost per unit.
- Quantity — setup costs are spread across the run, so unit prices fall as volume rises.
Typical UK Prices in 2026
| Product | 50–100 units | 250–500 units | 1,000+ units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Printed mailer boxes | £1.50–£3.50 | £0.90–£2.00 | £0.60–£1.20 |
| Tuck-end product boxes | £0.80–£2.00 | £0.50–£1.20 | £0.30–£0.80 |
| Printed paper bags | £1.00–£2.50 | £0.70–£1.50 | £0.45–£0.90 |
| Rigid gift boxes | £3.00–£8.00 | £2.00–£5.00 | £1.50–£3.50 |
| Roll labels | £0.10–£0.40 | £0.06–£0.20 | £0.03–£0.10 |
Treat these as planning figures — an exact quote depends on your dimensions and artwork. Reputable UK suppliers will quote within a day.
Digital vs Litho Printing: Why It Matters for Cost
Digital printing has no plate charges, which is why small businesses can now order 50 branded boxes affordably. Litho printing costs more to set up but becomes cheaper per unit at higher volumes (usually 1,000+ units). If you're starting out, digital is almost always the right choice — you can switch to litho when your volumes justify it.
Five Ways to Lower Your Quote Without Losing Quality
- Right-size the box — you pay for board area, and oversized boxes also cost more to ship.
- Print one or two colours on secondary packaging and save full colour for the outer box.
- Choose kraft board with white or black ink for a premium look at a lower price.
- Order your next 3–6 months of stock in one run instead of monthly top-ups.
- Ask your supplier to flag over-specified board grades — many products don't need double-wall.
Getting an Accurate Quote
To get a like-for-like quote, suppliers need four things: internal dimensions (L × W × H), quantity, material preference, and your artwork or a description of the print. With those, QPack quotes within 24 hours — and our minimums start at just 50 units with 5–7 day turnaround.
Get Custom Packaging Prices for Your Product
QPack supplies custom boxes, mailer boxes, paper bags and labels to UK businesses from 50 units, with free artwork checks on every order. Send us your sizes for a free, no-obligation quote.