Finding packaging sources has gotten a lot easier thanks to the internet. However, finding the right packaging company is still not easy. You might be surprised to know that there are thousands of packaging manufacturers in California alone and tens of thousands nationwide (and who knows how many worldwide). Every manufacturer has a certain focus and target market. Whether you are in need of large quantities of packaging, short runs, basic packaging, luxury packaging, contemporary cutting edge, or more traditional, there is a manufacturer out there to suit your needs. You may have to contact a lot of companies before you find the right one for you.

Where to Begin Your Search for the Right Packaging Company

Before the internet, I would have suggested you start with Packaging Trade Shows, or packaging trade publications (kind of like the yellow pages of packaging manufacturers), or even word of mouth. And by word of mouth, I mean it more literally rather than the social media shills we see in modern day.

I have an article in which I have compiled a few links to publications and trade shows to help you get a glimpse of what’s out there.

While the ways of yesteryear can still be useful, nothing compares to the internet for finding packaging companies (although, genuine word of mouth continues to surprise me at how effective and powerful it still can be; however, being connected in this industry certainly helps with this)

There has been a real shift in the industry as online only packaging stores are popping up all over the interent. Theses stores offer a type of hybrid packaging that is a cross between stock packaging with some custom options. Read here to see if Online Packaging Stores are right for you.

Packaging manufacturers don’t always have the nicest, best and most modern looking websites. So be sure not to judge a book by it’s cover. I’ve come across the most shoddy, poorest excuses for a packaging company and yet they had an attractive and modern looking website. And by contrast,  some of the best companies I’ve worked with have the most egregiously inadequate websites.

So do your best and make a list of the companies you think can help you and write down their contact info.

Now start calling on each one.

When someone answers the phone, do you know who you are speaking to? If you call a manufacturer, chances are that you are speaking with a sales person that represents only that company. If you call a brokerage, then you are speaking with, well, a broker. Sometime it’s hard to distinguish between the two, but it is an important distinction to make. Don’t be afraid to ask. Here is an article that discusses the different types of packaging companies that exist to help you understand which type might serve you best. Also bear in mind that most packaging companies do  some outside brokering to varying degrees. I have an article here that explains this phenomenon.

Also read these two articles where I briefly discuss buying packaging from the USA or shopping it abroad instead.

Knowing the Right Size

If you have existing packaging from a previous order but you want to make changes, you may or may not have the die line (if applicable) or exact dimensions of it. Here are a couple of articles on how to measure a box and measure a bag to help you gain the approximate size of your packaging for price quoting purposes (I’ll cover that step a little later on).

If you have no preexisting packaging, just do your best to measure the approximate size of product. Also, consider whether you may need an insert to secure the product.

The weight and/or fragility of your product are also important factors that you will want to convey to your prospective packaging vendor, as this will help determine what grade or caliper of material the packaging should be made of.

These are just preliminary steps to give you an idea of the size you need. Once you start working with a packaging designer / engineer then exact dimensions will be realized. A good packaging manufacter should be able to provide these experts if you don’t already have someone.

Vetting a Packaging Company – What Should You Ask?

Can you produce [packaging type]? – Email them an image if you don’t know what to call it.

What is your minimum order and/or start-up cost? – Every packaging company has their “sweet spot” where their price is best within a certain range of volume. Anything above or below that range usually yields a less than ideal price per unit of packaging. Typically, large packaging companies prefer to deal with other large companies who require large volumes of packaging. Likewise, there are small packaging companies that specialize in small volumes. So don’t worry if your volume is small, it’s just a question of finding the right size company for you. You’ll usually be able to tell how large the packaging company is from the size of their minimum volume requirements and start-up costs. For example, if “Company A” has large minimums and hefty start-up costs, they are probably a large company. Likewise if “Company B” has small minimums and low start-up costs, they will be a small company. If the company you call on has volume requirements that don’t fit yours, ask them to refer you to a company that better suits your needs, if they can.

What is your lead time? – This lead time only refers to the time it takes to produce your packaging after you sign a purchase order and make a deposit.

Where is this packaging being produced? – Freight cost and lead time will be big considerations.

What material do you recommend for this type of packaging? Make sure to mention the weight and fragility of your product.

Can you please quote me on this type of packaging at [approximate size] [some volume]? – Remember, 10,000 units of one SKU is not necessarily the same as 2,000 units of 5 SKUs, so be specific about this.

When can I expect a quote? – Quotes can take anywhere from a few days to over a week. Don’t let slow quotes be an indication of interest in your business, some companies are just very busy or simply have slow quoting departments. It’s not necessarily a reflection on their customer service or quality output (but it might be)

Ask the next few companies these same questions, BUT, dictate to them the materials, style, size and volume as the first company you contacted so that you can compare apples to apples when the quotes come in. If they suggest other sizes or materials to you that better suits their shop, no problem, just request two quotes from them, one with the consistent materials that the previous companies will be quoting you (for proper comparison purposes) and one with the specs that they suggest.

I have a short article here that has some additional information that may be helpful concerning questions to ask your prospective packaging vendor.

If you have special packaging needs that require the manufacturer to have certain certifications, you will definitely be wanting to look for those on their website and if they are not listed there don’t just assume you don’t have them – always ask. Here is an article that talks about Packaging Industry Certifications.

Comparing Packaging Price Quotes

Accurately comparing price quotes will be invaluable for finding the right packaging vendor. I have written an article on this very subject, right here.

Did the quote take as long as they said it would take? If they took longer, one of two things could be occurring:

they may be in a busy season which happens to companies who cater to the fall shopping season

they are low staffed and don’t consider your quote as truly valued.

A good company, that functions well, knows how long it will take for a quote and should get it to you very close to when they say they will.

When the quotes come in, don’t just compare price. There are other things a packaging company can offer that can be as good as a bargain. For example, are they responsive? Good companies will respond quickly. Even if they cannot answer your questions or fulfill your requests immediately, they should, at least, respond quickly with an acknowledgement.  An unresponsive company will keep things from you such as telling you there was a problem with your order, or there’s a delay of some kind. If they are slow to respond, but do answer all your questions, then give them time to follow through, they may just be super busy.