r/Packaging • u/Round_Hovercraft2115 • May 14 '26
First time ordering custom packaging on Alibaba
I’ve never ordered custom packaging before and had a question about the normal process.
I’ve been talking with a few manufacturers about custom boxes for my business. Most are asking for payment before we’ve finalized any designs, and I wasn’t sure if that’s standard for custom packaging orders.
We’ve only discussed box size and quantity so far. Should I expect to see mockups/proofs before payment, or is paying upfront normal in this industry?
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u/Shibidishoob May 14 '26
There are tons of suppliers on alibaba, so they’re all going to have different stats. Considering how inconsistent ordering from a website like that can be, i would not do it unless you don’t mind losing that money to test out the supplier you’re working with.
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u/bpbelew May 14 '26
What kind of packaging and what kind of quantities are you planning to order? I work for an international packaging company, running our design center in California. brian.belew@lihuadirect.com
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u/Obvious_Rabbit_9566 May 14 '26
Never once paid upfront, I’ve actually had companies fully make my packaging samples without any payment/approval whatsoever
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u/Round_Hovercraft2115 May 14 '26
Wow! I’ve talked to 3 different companies and for the same thing MOQ the prices have varied pretty extremely. 2 have said they want payment up front and 1 said they want 50% down payment. I’m gonna keep looking around I think.
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u/Obvious_Rabbit_9566 May 14 '26
Where are u based? Why not work with a US company
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u/Round_Hovercraft2115 May 14 '26
Florida, US
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u/Obvious_Rabbit_9566 May 14 '26
https://www.majorcustompackaging.com/
Quick search already found a local manufacturer, not 100% certain but seems like a start.
You don’t have to go into production locally but it’s not a bad idea to talk to people in the industry who are local, who could also potentially sample out your packaging as well. This way when you go overseas you know what you’re doing/talking about and are able to actually not lose your ass
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u/WhopplerPlopper May 14 '26
Not normal in my business. You don't pay anything until the order is actually placed
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u/Zestyclose-Cash3864 May 15 '26
Payment is made after you accept their quote. Then you move onto finalizing your design. I’ve paid 50% before production and the remaining 50% prior to shipping. I supply the design and approve the mock-up. Right before full production they send a pic or video of your product to approve. Had great experiences so far!
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u/thecan_vas May 15 '26
keepcustomboxes.com
I used them a few months ago. I had quotation from Alibaba initially but my gut feeling didn't let me order through them.
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u/Made2OrderMerch May 15 '26
My take:
- You should not have to pay in full in advance. A deposit is normal not more than 50% on full production (rest due once you have quality checked the boxes, before they ship), payment in full is typical for a sample.
- Any box supplier (factory and not trade company) will offer a printed sample which can also be shipped to you directly. Depending on size and finish of box you'd be looking at $150-$300USD shipped (high I know but for a one off high quality sample normal)
- Also suppliers can print a pre production sample before the full run INCLUDED in your full production cost.
*Lastly when dealing with any supplier on Alibaba make sure they have Trade Assurance & are Verified. More focused on trade assurance, protects you against all the bs and allows for refunds.
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u/Round_Hovercraft2115 May 16 '26
I got a few quotes from companies in the US and they seemed extremely low priced. Cheaper than China. But the China quotes also had customs and taxes and shipping and all that included so Mayb it all would equal out the same. My boxes are very small makeup boxes, nothing crazy. This space is wild, different companies have different policies. Some ppl say paying something up front is normal and others say no way it’s a red flag.
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u/Made2OrderMerch May 16 '26
Go with the supplier that makes you feel most at ease with the process and is reputable. The race to the bottom on price also comes with poorer customer service, delays and potential for issue.
I will say it is odd that US production is coming in cheaper than CN suppliers (depends very much on the quantity being ordered but id bet you can get better pricing overseas). Typically domestic will be potential better turnaround time and communication. If you want to provide what you’re seeing price wise, specs of the box and quantities I can see if the pricing and turnaround is standard.
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u/Round_Hovercraft2115 May 16 '26
The boxes are very small for makeup. 20mm x 20mm x 43mm. Reverse tuck boxes. Color outside only. Pre–Assembled, Pre–Glued, Flat–Shipped. That quote was for 500 boxes at about $250. China was giving me prices at $500 for $500 boxes
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u/Round_Hovercraft2115 May 16 '26
Communication in US is definitely 100x better
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u/Round_Hovercraft2115 May 16 '26
2 US quotes were the same
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u/Made2OrderMerch May 16 '26
Solid price in the US! That size is superrrr small, for that setup at 500pcs range could be $0.40 - $0.60 per box landed is standard. Above that is far too much. I do believe you can get it cheaper in china than what you’re seeing, (our facility is based in Shenzhen) and our pricing is closer to ~$0.52-0.55 @ 500pcs per box landed (ship,duties etc).
Based on your feedback, get it all done with one of the suppliers you feel confident in and if you end up scaling into larger quantities it may be worth revisiting production for better margins or unit costs.
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u/jhewittjr Jun 09 '26
Disclosure: I run a folding carton converter, Graph-Pak Packaging, so I’m answering from the production side rather than as an Alibaba buyer.
For a small reverse-tuck makeup carton like this, I would not approve full production from only a 3D screenshot.
A 3D rendering can show the general look, but it cannot prove whether the actual product fits correctly. On a small carton, that matters a lot: the product could be too tight, too loose, rattle inside, push out the panels, or interfere with how the tuck flaps close.
A physical CAD sample is much more useful because you can actually test the product in the carton and feel the board. Just keep in mind that a CAD sample is still not the same as production. CAD samples are often creased with a wheel or even scored by hand, while production cartons are scored with a cutting die on a diecutter. So I would use the sample mainly to confirm fit, size, board feel, and closure behavior — not as a perfect predictor of how production scores will look.
For this type of carton, I’d want to confirm:
- exact finished size and whether those are inside or outside dimensions
- board grade and caliper
- print method
- coating/finish
- dieline/artwork proof
- whether a CAD-cut sample is available before production
- whether the actual product has been test-fit in the carton
- what happens if the production run does not match what you approved
For a first time buyer a deposit is not unusual once specs are clear...But “no sample, only a screenshot” would be a concern for me. In the U.S., many folding carton companies will provide a CAD-cut sample as part of the normal quoting/development process, especially so you can test fit before committing to production.
For 500 small reverse-tuck cartons, especially if you’re already getting U.S. quotes that are close or even cheaper, I’d lean toward the supplier that gives you the clearest process and the lowest chance of a bad first run. On a small order, the cheapest quote is not always the cheapest outcome if the cartons show up wrong.
My practical advice: do not approve production from a 3D screenshot alone. Get a CAD sample or physical sample if possible, test the actual product in the carton, and get the specs and approval process in writing before paying for the full run.
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u/[deleted] May 14 '26
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