Custom packaging built around your product
Every box we make starts with the product’s own dimensions.
We work out the size, the board weight and the structure from what you’re packing, then design the print to match your brand identity.
We lay out the artwork on a dieline, a template showing where the board will be cut and folded to make your box.
If nothing in a standard range fits, we design a new structure, and that design work is included in the price.
Fully bespoke packaging can accommodate an unusual shape or a group of items sold together, with the layout developed around those contents.
You receive a proof to check the artwork and its placement before we begin production.
Choosing the right box format
Which format suits you depends on the product and how it reaches the customer.
We make reverse tuck-end cartons and crash-lock bottom boxes, selecting the format around the product’s weight, dimensions and how it will be packed. Tuck-end cartons close with folding flaps; a crash-lock base opens into position as the carton is assembled.
A cosmetics brand and a supplement company might land on the same box shape but need very different board weights. Tell us what you’re packing and we’ll help you choose between them.
Food producers also need room for their supplied product information, while a perfume carton may need to give more space to the brand image.
We work through those differences when preparing custom designs.
Cardboard boxes and material choices
Folding box board is our main material for printed retail cartons. Its coated face provides a smooth printing surface for logos, illustrations and smaller text.
We make custom cardboard boxes from this board for products including food, cosmetics and supplements.
The material you choose affects the appearance inside the pack too.
A white reverse can suit a design where the interior is visible; a cream reverse may be sufficient where the contents cover it.
We explain the available board options alongside the print and finish if you need extra help deciding.
Box weight and construction also matter when stock is packed or displayed.
Tell us about a fragile container or heavier contents so we can discuss the right packaging for the way you handle your products.
Custom printed boxes for online orders
If you sell online, a mailer box reaches the customer directly. Printing inside and out gives you space for branding on the exterior and a message as the customer opens the box.
Subscription brands can also use that space to introduce the contents.
A gusseted e-commerce box adds extra depth for bulkier or irregular items. We size it around the contents and discuss how they will be packed for delivery.
Gift boxes, printed sleeves and wallets
Gift boxes, slide-on sleeves and wallet-style packaging fill out the rest of the range.
Personalised packaging can bring several products together as a gift set, with a printed design that makes the collection recognisable.
A printed sleeve fits around an existing pack, giving you space for branding or a seasonal design. Wallet-style packaging provides another option for flatter items.
Foil stamping, embossing or a soft-touch coating suit products that call for something more premium.
We make every one of these formats at the same Irvine factory as your everyday boxes.
Foil adds a metallic detail, embossing creates a raised impression, and soft-touch coating changes how the surface feels.
You can personalise a logo or a product name with these finishes without applying them to every panel.
No minimum order, from one box to ten thousand
There is no minimum order for our custom packaging boxes, so quantity can follow your plans for the product.
You might need a few packs for photography before the launch, then a larger batch once the product is on sale.
A limited seasonal design need not tie you to the quantity you buy for your regular range. This flexibility suits businesses of all sizes, including established brands trying something new.
Larger quantities bring the unit price down.
If you reorder an unchanged design, the artwork is already prepared; a different size, finish or printed message can be discussed separately.
High-quality packaging from a certified manufacturer
Food brands need a packaging supplier that understands hygiene as well as presentation. Our BRC Global Packaging certification includes High Hygiene level, supporting the production of food packaging.
Describe the food, its existing wrapping and any direct contact with the carton when you enquire.
Our packaging materials include recyclable folding box board from FSC and PEFC certified sources.
Responsible sourcing and the recyclability of the completed pack are separate considerations, so we discuss any coating or finish alongside the product’s food-safety requirements.
Manufacturing takes place at KennedySmith (Press) Ltd in Irvine. Our parent company has been operating since 1997, bringing its experience in packaging and printing to Custom Pack Studio’s short runs and larger orders.
Direct contact with your packaging manufacturer
Everything we make comes from our Irvine factory.
When you need to discuss a colour, finish or production deadline, you can speak directly to our UK team during business hours.
We check colour and finish against your approved proof before the order leaves the building, and always provide honest lead times for packaging that fits around your business.
Packaging design help, whatever stage you’re at
Your packaging ideas can start with the product and a few references for the appearance you like.
During a design consultation, we discuss what belongs on each panel and develop printed packaging tailored to your brand.
Existing artwork can be uploaded using our online design tool. The design and printing team checks the files for print suitability, including image resolution and colour, before preparing your proof.
We can also build the artwork if you have no designer.
Use the proof to review product names, supplied information and where the design meets a fold.
For trickier structures, a free physical sample gives you a way to try the contents in the pack. Our packaging services include this discussion before you approve the production run.
Talk to our team today to arrange your free sample.
Custom packaging for Manchester and the North West
You can arrange custom boxes in Manchester with ease. We discuss the specification remotely and send the finished order by courier, using the same UK delivery service that supplies customers across the UK.
Allow two to three weeks for production after proof approval, plus one or two days for the courier journey.
Custom Pack Studio serves the whole of the UK, including central Manchester and surrounding areas including Salford, Trafford, Stockport, Oldham, Bolton and Wigan.
How ordering works with Custom Pack Studio
- Set out the brief – Tell us the contents and measurements, how many packs you require and your intended use. You can discuss the brief on 01294 314 919 if the specification is still undecided.
- Check the proposed design – We prepare the structure and artwork for your review. Any sample arrangements are agreed here, giving you the chance to raise changes before approving the work.
- Confirm the run – Your approval releases the job for manufacture. Printing and finishing take place in Irvine, with the schedule based on the agreed specification.
- Receive and assemble – Your flat-packed order goes to the delivery address you nominate. The boxes are ready for assembly and filling when they arrive.
Custom packaging Manchester: your questions answered
How much does custom packaging cost in Manchester?
We price the specification you choose. Dimensions determine the amount of board, while the printed design, finishes and run size also affect the total. To get a quote, send those details or ask us to help define them. You can review our written price before deciding whether to order.
Is there a minimum order quantity for custom packaging?
No minimum order quantity applies, including when you only want one custom box for evaluation. Tell us the quantity that fits your plans and we will price that run.
Do you offer eco-friendly packaging options?
Yes. Responsibly sourced board and a pack sized to its contents are part of that discussion. We also look at any finish or coating the product needs, so you understand the recycling considerations for the packaging you order.
Can you help create custom packaging if I don’t have a designer?
Yes. Share the branding you already use and the text or images you want on the pack. We can develop the layout with you, or you can try your own design in the 3D tool and have us check the files.
What’s the turnaround time for an order?
The usual manufacturing allowance is two to three weeks from your sign-off, followed by one or two days in transit. Design and approval come before that period, so include time to review the proof when planning a launch. Ask us to confirm the schedule for a fixed deadline.
Get a free quote for custom packaging in Manchester
See how a format feels and fits by requesting a packaging sample.
For your free quote, simply email your measurements, intended quantity and artwork to contact@custompackstudio.co.uk, adding the date you need the order.
If you’re still weighing up packaging solutions for a new product, call 01294 314 919. We can talk through the choices and help you specify a pack that suits your business needs.
