Do you know how much does packaging cost? It is essential, yet often overlooked (especially for startups and small businesses), as a major marketing tool to separate your brand from the competition.
And on top of all this, it’s also amazingly fun to design and work with in general! I design lots of packaging for my clients, so this is coming from a person who knows the real struggle that is choosing a good package design.
How much does skincare packaging cost?
Trying to find out how much it costs to package your cosmetics? We’ve got you covered with this handy dandy guide.
Cost breakdown
Here’s a general price tag for basic packaging that includes a plastic bottle with a cap, paperboard box, and shrink wrap.
Low Volume = 50,000 units/year (less than $1 million).
Mid Volume = 500K to 1 million units/year ($1 million to $10 million).
High Volume = More than 1 million units/year (more than $10 million).
What are some common costs associated with skin care packaging?
Let’s take a look:
Skincare packaging design and production costs vary depending on the type of product.
Caps:
The cap is what keeps your product from spilling out of the bottle or container. It can be made of a variety of materials, including plastic or glass. Caps used for bottles where the consumer requires an easy-to-use dispenser are usually made from plastic.
SEE ALSO: Is Eco-Friendly Skincare Packaging More Expensive?
Glass caps are used for high-end products that will probably be displayed on a store shelf. They’re more expensive to produce, but they add value to your brand by suggesting a higher quality product.
Labels:
Labels tell consumers what they’re getting in the package and also provide other necessary information such as warnings and expiration dates. Labels are typically produced using digital printing methods (offset or flexographic), although some companies still use silkscreen methods (which cost significantly less).
If you’re planning to use a label maker instead of an offset press, look for labels that are specifically designed to be used with those machines.
Bottles
Serve as containers for the actual product and are typically made out of plastic or glass.
Some people prefer glass over plastic because it’s often seen as safer and better for the environment, but it’s also more expensive to produce and ship than plastic bottles are
Tooling
Tooling costs vary depending on what kind of item you are looking to manufacture. For example, plastic bottles require different tooling than cardboard boxes. If you want to make your own molds, then this may be an additional expense as well.
Are there any ways to save on skin care packaging?
Packaging plays a vital role in protecting products from damage and allowing for easy transportation. The packaging for skincare products must be clean and sanitary so that it doesn’t harm the consumer.
SEE ALSO: Are Glass Cosmetic Jars Recyclable?
It also must be sturdy to protect against breakage during shipping. Aesthetic packaging is also important, as it can help sell a product on store shelves or through e-commerce websites.
Esthetic packaging is often more labor-intensive, which is why many companies turn to plastic packaging solutions.
Plastic packaging solutions help preserve the integrity of a product while still providing an eye-catching appearance.
Here are ways to save on skincare packaging using plastic solutions:
1. Use bottles with pumps rather than jars
Jars tend to be less expensive and easier to fill, but they leave the product exposed to oxygen and light, both of which degrade the quality of the product. Plastic pumps are an effective way to prevent degradation while also making it easier for users to dispense the exact amount of product they need.
2. Choose bottles over tubes when possible
Tubes tend to be more expensive than bottles because they can only hold a small amount of liquid at a time. Bottles are much easier for customers to use and allow for easy refilling if necessary.
3. Overwrap
Plastic overwraps can be used to package body lotions, creams and gels in an easy-to-dispense format. The overwrap also helps protect the bottle or jar from moisture or light contamination during transport and storage.
SEE ALSO: Are Makeup Brushes Bad for the Environment?
Snap cap containers are a great option for liquids, gels, and solids that will be dispensed one drop at a time (think drugstore products). They’re excellent for products that need to be protected from moisture and sunlight during transport and storage.
5. Pump dispensers with tops
Pump dispensers make it easy to dispense small amounts of lotion, cream, or liquid with each pump (think of a travel-size hand lotion). With the right plastic tops, they’re also effective at protecting products from moisture and light during transport and storage.
Final Thoughts
Packaging costs are hard to pin down, as many brands and companies do not publish their figures.
But I’ve put together a little guide on how much skincare packaging may cost you, based on various packaging sizes, shapes, material, and purpose.
