A minimum order quantity (MOQ) is the smallest run a packaging supplier will agree to print, set because every print job carries fixed setup work that has to be spread over enough boxes to make sense. The Best Price Boxes has no minimum order: you can order one custom box or ten thousand.
Reviewed by the TBPB packaging team, October 2026.
Quick facts
| Detail | Answer |
|---|---|
| What MOQ means | The smallest quantity a supplier will accept for one custom job |
| Why suppliers set one | Fixed setup work (plates or print files, die tooling, press makeready) is spread over the run |
| TBPB minimum order | None; one box, a dozen, or thousands |
| What changes with quantity | The price per box, not whether we will take the order |
| Best use of a no-minimum order | A prototype or test batch before a larger run |
| How to start | Send dimensions and quantity (even one) for a quote and dieline |
What is an MOQ in custom packaging?
It is a floor. A supplier says, in effect, we will not start a custom print job for fewer than this many pieces. For a custom box the floor exists because a lot of the work happens once per job rather than once per box: preparing the print files, setting up the press and getting color right, and cutting or preparing the die that gives the box its shape. Someone still has to do that work, at 50 boxes or at 5,000.
Suppliers that serve large brands often set the floor high because their whole process is built for volume. That is a business choice, not a law of physics.
Why do some suppliers still require a minimum?
Mostly because of how they print. Traditional offset printing needs plates and a press makeready, which burns paper and time before the first good box comes off the line. Spreading that over a few thousand units makes the economics work, so the supplier sets a minimum to protect itself. Some also set minimums per design or per size, which matters if you want three flavors or sizes of the same product.
There is another practical reason. A supplier that quotes only large runs needs fewer quotes, proofs and small shipments to manage. A no-minimum supplier has to be set up for that workload. We are, and it is why we can say it plainly.
What does no minimum order mean at The Best Price Boxes?
It means we will quote and produce the quantity you actually need, including a single box. We do not set a floor per order or per design. What changes with quantity is the price per box. A very small run costs more per box than a large one, because the same setup work is spread across fewer pieces. That trade-off is real, and we would rather say it than pretend otherwise.
| Order size | What it is best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| One to a few boxes | Checking fit, structure and print | Highest price per box; you are paying for proof, not volume |
| A small batch of dozens | Market tests, pop-ups, a first customer drop | A practical way to test demand without stocking pallets |
| Hundreds to thousands | Steady sales and reorders | Price per box comes down as the run grows |
We do not list a price in this guide because it depends on your size, board, print coverage and finish. Ask for a quote on your actual spec.
Is it smart to order a small quantity first?
Yes, in most cases, and this is where no minimum order earns its keep. Picture a candle maker with three scents who is not sure the new boxes will fit the jar. Ordering 25 of each style, 75 boxes in all, lets her check that the jar sits snugly, that the lid closes, and that the printed color matches her label. If something is off, she adjusts the size by a few millimeters and reorders. If everything is right, she places the larger run knowing it works.
The alternative is committing to a high minimum with a different supplier and discovering the problem on pallet number one. Fixing a sizing error across thousands of boxes costs far more than a small test ever will. If you are not sure how to size the box, start with the box size calculator.
When is a bigger order the better call?
When the design is final and sales are steady. Per-box price drops as quantity rises, so a product you sell every week should be ordered in larger runs. Storage is the counterweight: boxes ship flat for many styles, but a few thousand rigid or folding cartons still take shelf space, and a design change strands whatever is left. A common pattern is a small first run, one reorder at a mid-size quantity, and larger runs once the artwork stops changing.
How do I compare a no-minimum quote to a quote with an MOQ?
Put both quotes on the same line items: exact size in inches, board type, print method and coverage, finish, quantity, and whether shipping is included. A quote that looks cheaper per box may require a quantity you do not need, so divide the total by the units you will actually sell in a year. If you cannot compare them on the same spec, ask the supplier to re-quote.
Bring a written quote for the same specs to us and our price-beat guarantee applies: we beat it. Free shipping applies on every order, so make sure the other quote has shipping on the same line.
What should I have ready to order without a minimum?
Four things speed up the quote: the inside dimensions of what the box must hold (length, width and depth), the quantity, the print you want (one color, full color, front only), and any finish you need. If you are unsure about finishes, ask us to confirm what is available for your spec. Artwork can come after the quote; we send a dieline so your designer works to the real template. The custom box artwork guide explains how, and our turnaround guide shows what happens after you approve the proof.
Questions buyers ask
What is the minimum order quantity for custom packaging?
It depends on the supplier. Many set a floor because of fixed setup costs. The Best Price Boxes has no minimum order, so you can order a single box or thousands. Price per box falls as quantity rises, but we will quote any quantity.
Why do packaging companies have MOQs?
Printing and tooling have setup work that does not change with run size, so suppliers spread it over enough units to make a job worthwhile. Offset printing, with its plates and press makeready, is a common reason for higher minimums.
Can I really order just one custom box?
Yes. Send us your dimensions and a quantity of one, and we will quote and send a dieline. A single box is the cheapest way to check size, structure and print before you commit to a larger run.
Does a small order cost more per box?
Yes. Setup work is spread over fewer pieces, so each box costs more than it would in a larger run. Order the quantity you need, test with a small batch, and move to larger runs once the design is final.
How do I get a quote and dieline?
Send your box dimensions and quantity through our quote page, even if the quantity is one. We confirm the size, send a dieline template for your artwork, and give you a quote so you can compare it with any other.
Do you offer free samples and shipping?
Yes. Design help, samples and shipping are free on every order. If another supplier gave you a written quote for the same specs, bring it and our price-beat guarantee means we beat it.
What is the minimum order quantity for custom packaging?
It depends on the supplier. Many set a floor because of fixed setup costs. The Best Price Boxes has no minimum order, so you can order a single box or thousands. Price per box falls as quantity rises, but we will quote any quantity.
Why do packaging companies have MOQs?
Printing and tooling have setup work that does not change with run size, so suppliers spread it over enough units to make a job worthwhile. Offset printing, with its plates and press makeready, is a common reason for higher minimums.
Can I really order just one custom box?
Yes. Send us your dimensions and a quantity of one, and we will quote and send a dieline. A single box is the cheapest way to check size, structure and print before you commit to a larger run.
Does a small order cost more per box?
Yes. Setup work is spread over fewer pieces, so each box costs more than it would in a larger run. Order the quantity you need, test with a small batch, and move to larger runs once the design is final.
How do I get a quote and dieline?
Send your box dimensions and quantity through our quote page, even if the quantity is one. We confirm the size, send a dieline template for your artwork, and give you a quote so you can compare it with any other.
Do you offer free samples and shipping?
Yes. Design help, samples and shipping are free on every order. If another supplier gave you a written quote for the same specs, bring it and our price-beat guarantee means we beat it.
How to order
Send your dimensions and quantity to our quote page, even if the quantity is a single box. We confirm the size, send a dieline, and quote. Bring a written quote for matching specs and we will beat it. Design help, samples and shipping are free. Good first products to test with no minimum include tuck top boxes and our mailer boxes, and the mailer box category shows the full range.
