You’ve started a business. Your product is good, you have accumulated a budget, and have put together a strategy. An important consideration in that strategy will be where to spend the budget, and hold off on which expenditures until your budget grows.
One such expense that often confuses businesses is shipping boxes. It is difficult to decide between custom vs standard boxes early in your business. Custom packaging offers a lot of benefits that sound more than mere nice-to-haves. But a standard shipping box is cheap and easily available.
So, which one will you choose?
In this blog post, we will help you decide by discussing their basic differences. We will learn:
- What are standard or stock boxes?
- Their benefits
- Their sizes
- When to use stock shipping boxes?
And
- What are custom shipping boxes?
- The benefits of custom boxes
- Custom packaging box styles
- When to use custom ecommerce packaging?
So, are you ready to learn? Let’s start unpacking!
What Are Standard or Stock Boxes?
A standard shipping box or generic packaging is plain, unbranded, and pre-made. It offers little to no customisation in its shape, size, or colour. It is usually paper brown in colour since almost no effort goes into making it look attractive.
Examples: Shipping boxes for bulk items, industrial supplies, and B2B supplies
Benefits of Stock Boxes
While seemingly plain, stock or standard boxes offer some important benefits that make them a good choice for some businesses. These benefits include:
Budget-Friendly
Stock boxes are classic, affordable, and always available. You don’t have to worry about design fees, minimum order quantities, or paying extra for a logo when you’re still trying to break even.
Always In Stock (Pun Intended)
Need boxes yesterday? Stock boxes are ready to ship. You can usually find them in standard sizes at any packaging supplier, which means you can avoid production delays and keep fulfilling orders without skipping a beat.
Super Versatile
Whether you’re shipping skincare, books, T-shirts, or handmade treats, there’s a size that fits. Plus, they pair perfectly with custom stickers, stamps, or branded tape if you want a little flair without going all in on full customisation.
Easy to Test & Scale
Trying out a new product line? Launching a side hustle? Stock boxes are a low-risk way to experiment. You can start small, tweak your packaging later, and only invest in custom when you’re ready to scale.
Storage-Friendly
Since they’re flat-packed and stackable, stock boxes won’t take over your garage or stockroom. They’re easy to organise and reorder, which is a huge plus for small teams or solo operations.
Standard Sizes For Standard Shipping Boxes
You will find stock boxes in a huge variety of sizes. The idea is to fit as many types of products as possible to make standard boxes most convenient.
Here are a few common dimensions most suppliers have:
| Size (inches) | Common Use |
| 6 x 6 x 6 | Small items, cosmetics, candles |
| 8 x 6 x 4 | Mugs, skincare products, small electronics |
| 9 x 6 x 3 | Books, journals, flat items |
| 10 x 8 x 6 | Apparel, soft goods, accessories |
| 12 x 9 x 4 | Medium gift items, books, kits |
| 12 x 12 x 12 | Bulkier products, office supplies |
| 14 x 10 x 4 | Subscription boxes, marketing kits |
| 16 x 12 x 8 | Larger electronics, bundled products |
| 18 x 12 x 6 | Kitchenware, decor items |
| 20 x 14 x 6 | Pillows, larger clothing items |
| 24 x 18 x 18 | Bulk shipping, warehouse packaging |
Helpful tips:
- Measure your product first and leave space for padding like bubble wrap or kraft paper.
- Shipping carriers like USPS, UPS, and FedEx also have preferred box dimensions to avoid dimensional weight charges.
- PackWo also offers multi-depth boxes (e.g., 12x12x6 that folds down to 12x12x4), giving you more flexibility with fewer SKUs.
When It’s Best To Use Stock Packaging?
Most marketing geniuses will tell you how custom shipping boxes are a worthy investment. But there are some instances where generic packaging can be the smarter choice.
Choose standard boxes when:
- You are just starting out
Packing your first 10 orders? It is smart to invest in custom boxes a little later.
Stock boxes are good when you have only a few first orders and would like to test your product before making a larger investment.
- You’re low on budget
Going through a tight spot in business? Stock boxes can cut costs. They don’t come with an MOQ or customisation costs and you can order as little as you like.
- You need shipping boxes fast
There may be instances in your businesses when you run short on custom boxes and orders are piling up fast. That’s where standard shipping boxes can save the day. You can get them almost instantly in a lot of sizes to cater to such emergencies.
- Branding isn’t your top priority
When you are a wholesaler, B2B supplier, or sell industrial supplies, huge electronic ware etc, you may not need pretty branding on your shipping boxes.
What Are Custom Shipping Boxes?
Custom boxes are the opposites of generic packaging. They are sized according to your product, can be printed with your brand design, and are only made to order. They also come in loads of styles, which we will discuss a bit later.
Examples: E-commerce shipping boxes, custom mailer boxes
Benefits of Custom Boxes
While stock boxes basically get the job done, custom printed boxes take things a step further and help you create a memorable brand experience.
Here are all the reasons why custom boxes are good for your business:
- Customer Experience
When you are designing a custom box, you’re actually designing the moment your customer lays hand on your product for the first time. The colours, prints, and messaging, all contribute to making the first impression unforgettable and creating a pleasant first impression.
- Customer Loyalty
When your packaging looks and feels premium, it signals quality and care. And that builds trust. A beautifully designed custom box makes customers want to come back… and even better, share your brand on social media.
Repeat purchases? Free word-of-mouth marketing? With custom printed boxes, it’s all possible.
- Custom Die Cut Boxes
Custom die cut boxes are designed to snugly fit your product, reducing the need for excess padding and lowering the risk of damage during shipping. It also looks way more professional than tossing items into oversized boxes with loads of wasted, empty space.
- Save on Dimensional Weight and Shipping Costs
Carriers often charge based on dimensional weight, so eliminating unnecessary space can help cut down your shipping costs significantly.
- E-Commerce Packaging That Stands Out
In a sea of brown boxes, custom e-commerce packaging makes you stand out. Whether you’re a subscription box service or a boutique online store, custom packaging helps with brand recognition and word-of-mouth marketing.
- Eco-Friendly Materials
When you get your e-commerce packaging made on order, you can easily choose materials that are sustainable and planet-friendly. This is especially helpful as customers are growing increasingly environmentally concious and are looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact.
Popular Custom Packaging Box Styles
Whether you’re looking to reduce shipping costs, improve product protection, or create a memorable unboxing experience, choosing the right box style matters more than you think.
Here is a brief rundown of the most common box styles used in custom packaging, along with when and why to use each:
- Mailer Boxes
Custom mailer boxes are the go-to for e-commerce packaging. They offer a snug, secure fit and can be custom printed inside and out. They are easy to assemble, offer a strong structure, and are excellent for brand recognition
Ideal for: Subscription boxes, beauty kits, apparel, gift items
- Shipping Boxes (RSC Boxes)
The regular slotted container (RSC) is the most common box style used for custom shipping boxes. With flaps that meet in the center when closed, these are your standard no-fuss shipping boxes.
Ideal for: Bulk shipping, fragile items, warehouse packaging
- Die-Cut Boxes
Die-cut boxes are specifically designed to fit your product like a glove. These custom shapes offer better protection, lower shipping costs, less material wastage, and reduce the need for extra padding or void fill.
Ideal for: High-end products, kits, or anything oddly shaped
- Rigid Boxes
Used by luxury brands, rigid boxes don’t fold flat and are known for their sturdy feel. While they take up more storage space, they offer unbeatable customer satisfaction and a high-end unboxing experience.
Ideal for: High-ticket items, gifts, fragile goods
When To Use Custom E-Commerce Packaging?
Making the switch from stock packaging to custom sized boxes can be a major strategic move for many businesses. So when exactly should you ditch the plain stock boxes and go custom?
Here’s when it makes the most sense:
- When branding takes priority
There comes a time in all businesses, when you’ve sent your first few orders and would now like to work on building your momentum. That’s when branding takes the front seat. Custom printed shipping boxes can be your brand ambassadors, by shouting your brand name instantly after people see your package.
- When your product doesn’t fit in a standard box
Selling something fragile, odd-shaped, or just… weirdly sized? Custom sized boxes are made to fit any product. Even a hat!
They can accommodate additional packaging materials for extra protection and even help you stand out with uniquely shaped boxes.
- When going the extra mile for custom experience
Unboxing should be a moment of delight, not just tearing through a brown box. Want your customers to “ooh” and “ahh” when they open their order? Go custom. Add branded touches, smart openings, inserts, or even die-cut boxes designed specifically for increased convenience.
- When you are ready to scale (and streamline)
If you’re sending out thousands of packages a month, custom boxes can save you money in the long run. You’ll use less material, speed up packing, and cut back on returns due to poor protection. Plus, they stack better and use storage space more efficiently.
Custom vs Standard Boxes: TL;DR?
Here’s a side-by-side comparison of custom and shipping boxes to help you decide the best one for your business:
| Feature | Custom Shipping Boxes | Stock Shipping Boxes |
| Fit & Size | Tailored to your product | Pre-made in standard sizes |
| Branding | Fully customizable (logos, colors, print) | Plain or minimal branding |
| Cost per Unit | Higher (especially for small quantities) | Lower, more budget-friendly |
| Packaging Experience | Enhanced, memorable unboxing | Basic, functional |
| Lead Time | Longer (due to design & production) | Ready to ship immediately |
| Shipping Efficiency | Can reduce dimensional weight & void fill | May lead to extra packaging or higher costs |
| Storage Needs | Requires planning for storage | Easier to store in bulk |
| Best For | Premium, branded, or fragile products | Everyday shipping or early-stage businesses |
| Environmental Impact | Can be optimized for less material & waste | Often more waste due to poor fit or void fill |
Elevate Your E-Commerce Packaging With PackWo
Both standard and custom packaging boxes have their place in a smart business strategy. They both have benefits that make them irreplaceable by the other and use cases that prove their efficiency.
And the good news? PackWo has a huge variety of both of them.
Whether you need a standard shipping box urgently or can’t decide on a design for custom packaging, the experts at PackWo have a solution. We only ask you for your requirements and a reference image, and work with you to create your dream packaging… without needing you to even open Adobe!
Are you ready to start packing excellent customer experience? Give us a call and we will take it from there!
