Where can I get a custom box for clothing made?

Finding the perfect custom box for your apparel can feel impossible. The wrong choice damages your product and your brand's reputation. You need a trusted partner who understands clothing packaging.

The best place to get custom clothing boxes made is through a specialized packaging manufacturer. Companies like us at Giftspack provide expert consultation, a wide range of materials, custom sizing, and high-quality printing to ensure your packaging perfectly matches your brand's vision and protects your apparel.

Finding a supplier is the first step, but I know from my 16 years in this industry that it brings up a lot of other questions. You might be wondering about the costs, the real benefits, and where to even start looking. It's a journey from a simple idea to a physical box in your customer's hands. Let's walk through some of the most common questions I get from designers and brand owners every day. This will help you make the best decision for your business.

Does Staples do custom boxes?

You see big-box stores like Staples and think it might be an easy solution. But you worry their options are too generic for your unique apparel brand's needs.

Yes, Staples does offer some basic custom box services. They are mainly focused on standard corrugated shipping boxes with simple logo printing. For truly custom structures, premium materials¹, or special finishes for clothing, a dedicated packaging specialist offers far greater expertise and options.

I've worked with many product designers, like Peter, who initially explored these general suppliers. They quickly find that while it's fine for basic shipping, it doesn't work for creating a brand experience. An office supply store's main business is selling a wide range of ready-made products. Custom packaging is just a small part of what they do. A specialist manufacturer, on the other hand, lives and breathes packaging. Our entire focus is on creating the perfect box for your specific product. We can have detailed conversations about paper thickness, structural integrity for delicate garments, and printing techniques that make a brand pop. This level of detail is something you just don't get from a generalist.

Comparing Office Suppliers and Packaging Specialists

Are custom shipping boxes worth it?

Plain brown boxes are cheap and get the job done. But they create a generic experience and can make your premium clothing feel ordinary and forgettable. Let's see why custom is better.

Absolutely. Custom shipping boxes are a powerful marketing tool that delivers a strong return on investment. They elevate your brand's perception, create a memorable unboxing experience⁴, and can even reduce damage by providing a perfect, secure fit for your clothing items.

Think of your packaging as the first physical interaction a customer has with your brand. It's a huge opportunity. I remember working with a client who sold beautiful silk shirts. They were shipping them in standard poly mailers, and customers complained that the shirts arrived wrinkled and felt cheap. We designed a slim, rigid box with a custom insert. The box not only protected the shirts perfectly but also made the unboxing feel like opening a luxury gift. The client told me their social media mentions skyrocketed, and repeat purchases increased. That's the power of investing in the experience. It's not just a box; it's a silent salesperson that communicates quality and care, which is exactly what designers like Peter aim to achieve.

The Tangible Benefits of Custom Packaging

• Enhanced Brand Image: Your box is a mobile billboard⁵. A well-designed package looks professional and builds trust before the customer even sees the product.
• Improved Customer Experience: A great unboxing experience⁴ is memorable and shareable. It makes customers feel valued and excited about their purchase.
• Better Product Protection: Custom boxes are designed to fit your product perfectly. This reduces movement during transit, leading to less damage and fewer returns.

What packaging is used for clothes?

Deciding on the right packaging for apparel can be confusing. There are so many options. The wrong choice can wrinkle your clothes or fail to protect them during their journey to the customer.

Common packaging for clothes includes corrugated mailer boxes for durability, rigid paperboard boxes for a luxury feel, and flexible poly mailers for soft goods. The best choice depends on your product type, brand positioning⁶, shipping method, and budget.

The material you choose says a lot about your brand. A designer aiming for an eco-conscious image might lean towards recycled paper mailers. A luxury brand selling expensive coats would need the premium feel and sturdy protection of a rigid box. In my experience, many brands use a combination. They might put a t-shirt inside a protective, branded polybag and then place that inside a custom mailer box for shipping. This "box-in-bag" or multi-layered approach ensures the clothing stays clean and folded, while the outer box provides the branding and structural protection. It’s all about layering the experience and ensuring the garment arrives in perfect condition.

Choosing the Right Material for Your Apparel

Why are custom boxes so expensive?

You get a quote for a custom box and the price gives you sticker shock. It's frustrating when the cost feels too high and you start to question if it's really worth it.

Custom boxes are more expensive because of tooling costs⁷ for unique sizes (cutting dies), custom printing plates⁸, premium materials¹, and smaller order quantities⁹. Unlike mass-produced standard boxes, each custom order requires a unique production setup, which drives up the per-unit cost.

When you order a standard box, you're buying a product that's already being made by the thousands. The setup costs are spread across a huge volume. With a custom order, we are creating something just for you. We have to make a "cutting die," which is like a giant cookie cutter that punches your unique box shape out of a sheet of cardboard. That's a one-time setup cost. Then there are the printing plates⁸ for your specific design. The real key to managing cost is quantity. The price per box drops dramatically as the order size increases because those initial setup costs are divided by more units. A smart designer can also work with me to make savvy choices, like using a one-color print on nice kraft paper to create a premium, minimalist look without the cost of a full-color print job.

Understanding the Cost Breakdown of a Custom Box

1. Tooling & Setup: This is a one-time charge for creating the cutting die for your box's specific shape and size.
2. Materials: The cost of the raw paper or board. Thicker, coated, or specialty materials cost more than standard kraft cardboard.
3. Printing: The number of colors and the complexity of the design impact the price. Each color requires its own printing plate.
4. Quantity: This is the biggest factor. A small run of 500 boxes will have a much higher per-unit cost than an order of 5,000.

Conclusion

Getting custom clothing boxes¹⁰ is a strategic investment in your brand. By partnering with a specialist, you create packaging that protects your product, delights your customers, and adds real value.