We occasionally encounter customers who have never done custom packaging before asking: Why does it take so long to produce custom boxes? Can it be completed within a week? 30 days to complete production is unacceptable!
In this article, We will detail the production process of custom gift boxes and the time required for each step. Please note, dear, what follows describes high-end custom handmade boxes, not ordinary soft carton boxes. Customizing ordinary soft carton boxes takes only 7-15 days, but handmade gift boxes require 21-40 days.
Custom boxes take a long time to produce because they require specialized, non-automated steps, including designing, creating unique cutting dies, setting up printing plates for artwork, and curing inks. Lead times are further extended by production queue, complex structural engineering, and, if applicable, international shipping and customs clearance.
Key Factors for Production Lead Times:
Tooling & Setup (Die-Cutting): Unlike standard boxes, custom boxes require unique cutting dies to be manufactured to shape the cardboard, which takes time.
Printing Setup: Offset lithography or other printing methods require custom plates for each design, demanding, careful calibration and setup.
Design & Sampling: We need to make 3-5 samples before start big production. The process often involves creating digital proofs to confirm dimensions, artwork placement, and structural integrity before mass production.
Material Prep & Drying: Specialized, custom-printed materials require time to be prepared and for inks to dry properly. Without stock available, it may take a very long time, 7-15 days. Some raw material suppliers are very far from our factory, with transportation time of 3-5 days.
Production Queue & Volume: The production workload, order volume, and complexity (e.g., hand-folded, specialized coatings,hot stamping,embossing…) impact the timeline. It's very difficult to start production immediately after an order is placed.Before your order is confirmed, many other orders are already on the production/processing schedule. The more complex the packaging process, the longer it takes to complete production.
Let`s take a reorder custom leather gift box for an example:
Custom Perfume Box sizes: 80x110x50mm
Material: yellow leather+ black velvet+ black EVA foam+ rigid cardboard+ magnet
Finish: deboss logo+ gold hot stamping logo+ sawing
Order QTY: 1000PCS
|
Process |
Details |
Time/Day |
|
confirm order details |
double check box style,design,material,sizes,quantity,printing,finish,pack,shipping.... |
1 |
|
enter production order system |
Calculate the required processes, materials, and losses for each production step. and send production tasks to the department responsible for each process. |
1 |
|
Raw Material Procurement |
The purchasing department receives the purchasing task and procures raw materials according to the task order requirements/ Cardboard,leather,velvet,EVA foam,magnet,gold foil material,shipping box,plastic bag... |
3-7 |
|
Raw Material Inspection |
Raw material inspection and warehouse |
1 |
|
Make Mold |
leather cutting mold,cardboard cutting mold,EVA cutting mold,velvet cutting mold,logo mold. |
2-3 |
|
Mold Cut |
Cut the raw materials into the required size and shape for the finished product.//Cardboard,leather,velvet,EVA foam |
1-3 |
|
Deboss LOGO |
Leather Deboss LOGO |
2-3 |
|
Gold Foil LOGO |
Velvet Gold Foil LOGO |
2-3 |
|
Assemble Cover |
1.The top of the cardboard is glued with sponge and deboss leather, and the bottom of the cardboard is glued with hot-stamped velvet. Install magnet. All hand made.2.Semi-finished product inspection |
3-5 |
|
Sewing |
Sew the cover.All hand made. |
2-3 |
|
Assemble Inner Box |
1.Wrap the leather around inner box cardboard surface.Install magnet. All hand made.2.Semi-finished product inspection |
3-5 |
|
Assemble Cover&Inner Box |
Glue cover and inner box together,Glue EVA foam and then pack |
2-3 |
|
Finish product Inspection |
Finish product Inspection.Qualified products are put into storage. |
1 |
|
Shipping |
Prepare documents and arrange Shipping |
1 |
Total Amount Production Time:21-39 Days
Recommended Ordering Time:
The earlier you order, the better. During the off-season (March-June), place your order 35-45 days in advance. During the peak season (May to February of the following year), place your order 40-50 days in advance.
We are paper box manufacturer with 10 years of experience who have served well-known brands such as Valentino, ZAGG, Sephora, Martell, Disney and keep more than 90 % repurchase rate.
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