Start with the scope
Packaging is a bespoke service. A visual concept and a project that includes strategy, structure and sampling involve different amounts of work. Define what you need before comparing quotations.
Four areas of work
Strategy identifies the audience, product benefits and shelf approach. Graphic design develops layout, imagery, colour and typography. Structural work addresses box formats, dielines and internal components. Sampling and production coordination help translate the design into a finished pack.
Different products, different demands
A food range may require a lead design and several SKU extensions. Gift packaging often adds inserts, special finishes and new structures. Healthcare packaging can involve substantial information review and range management. An ongoing programme may allow several products to be planned together.
The variables behind a quotation
SKU count, structural complexity, materials and finishes, strategic input and the extent of sampling support all affect the scope. Extending an established design across a range is different from developing every product independently.
Prepare a useful brief
Specify the number of products and variants, the required deliverables and the intended launch date. Clarify whether the project ends at visual design or includes production files and sample review. An agreed brief makes quotations easier to compare. Request a project-specific estimate rather than treating general market examples as a fixed price.
English editorial edition, condensed from the original article.Read the full Chinese article ↗
