About
Our Process
From first quote to delivery in seven steps. Sample in 5–7 business days. Production in 15–25 business days. DDP shipping to 50+ countries.
Overview
What it is.
Every custom packaging project we run follows the same seven steps. Some take 10 days; some take 60. The structure is identical because the structure is what makes the result predictable.\n\nWe can start from a finished design, a rough sketch, a competitor's box, or just an idea of what you want the package to do. We will handle the structural design, the dieline, the print, the finish, the QC, and the freight. The seven steps below are how.
Step 1: Brief and quote (1–2 business days)
Send us a brief: the format, the size, the substrate, the finish, the quantity, the destination, and the deadline. If you do not have all of these, that is fine — we will help you figure it out.
We respond within 24 hours with a quote that includes per-unit cost, setup cost, sample cost, lead time, and DDP freight. The price you see is the price you pay; there are no surprise charges later.
Step 2: Dieline and structural design (2–3 business days)
Once you approve the quote, we produce a dieline — the flat template of the box or bag, with cut lines, score lines, and print area marked. We work from your design if you have one, or we help you create one if you do not.
Dieline design is free on every order. We send the dieline as a print-ready PDF, an Illustrator file, and a 3D mockup render. You review, request revisions, and approve when you are ready.
Step 3: Physical sample (5–7 business days)
We produce a physical sample of the finished box or bag, with the print, finish, and construction. The sample is shipped to you via DHL or FedEx with tracking, and arrives in 3–5 business days for most destinations.
Sample cost is $80–250 per SKU, depending on the format and finish. Sample cost is credited against your first production order above 1,000 units. We do not charge for revisions of the same SKU.
Step 4: Production (15–25 business days)
After sample approval, we move to production. We print the full order, apply the finish, construct the boxes or bags, and run quality control on every unit before packing.
Standard production lead time: — Folding cartons and mailers: 12–18 business days — Rigid setup boxes: 18–25 business days — Paper bags: 15–20 business days — Custom formats: by quote
Rush production is available for orders above 5,000 units with a 30% rush surcharge.
Step 5: Quality control (built into production)
Every order is run through a three-stage QC process: in-line inspection during print, end-of-line inspection during construction, and pre-shipment inspection on the packed pallets. We photograph the run at each stage and share the photos with you before shipment.
If a unit fails QC, it is recycled. We do not ship seconds. Defect rate is below 0.3% across all formats; we refund or replace any defective units that reach you.
Step 6: Freight and customs (5–15 business days)
We ship DDP to 50+ countries. Freight is by sea (default) or air (rush option). Sea freight to the US West Coast is 12–15 business days from factory; to the US East Coast is 18–22 business days; to the UK and EU is 22–28 business days. Air freight is 5–7 business days to most destinations at 3–4× the cost of sea.
We handle export documentation, commercial invoice, packing list, and certificate of origin. For DDP shipments, we handle customs clearance and duty payment on your behalf — there is nothing for you to do at the destination other than receive the pallets.
Step 7: Delivery and re-order
The freight forwarder delivers the pallets to your warehouse or 3PL. We send you the delivery confirmation, the QC photos, the packing list, and the commercial invoice.
For repeat orders, we hold your dieline, your print profiles, your finish specifications, and your custom dielines on file. Re-ordering is a single email; we can usually ship a repeat order in 10–15 business days.
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Frequently asked
Questions about our process.
How long does a sample take?
5–7 business days for production, plus 3–5 days for DHL/FedEx shipping to most destinations.
Can I start from a competitor's box?
Yes — send us a sample or a photograph and we will reverse-engineer the structure, the materials, and the print specifications.
Do you charge for dieline design?
No — dieline design is free on every order. We send the dieline as PDF, AI, and 3D mockup.
What is the rush lead time?
Rush production is available for orders above 5,000 units with a 30% surcharge. Air freight is 5–7 business days at 3–4× the cost of sea.
Do you handle customs clearance?
Yes — for DDP shipments, we handle export documentation, customs clearance, and duty payment. There is nothing for you to do at the destination.
Can I track the production in real time?
Yes — we send photo updates at each stage (printing, finishing, QC, packing) and you can request a video call with the production manager at any point.
Ready when you are