Custom Packaging from China: Options, Printing, MOQs and Labels

Packaging is often the part of a private-label product that customers notice first, and it is also where small orders run into surprise minimums and rejected shipments. China has a deep packaging industry, from poly bag makers to rigid gift box specialists. This guide walks through the main packaging types, printing methods, what drives cost and MOQ, how to prepare artwork, and which labelling rules to check before you print thousands of boxes.

Packaging options#

The right packaging depends on how the product is sold: retail shelf, e-commerce or both. These are the common options when sourcing from China:

A practical starting point for small first orders is a generic box or bag plus a branded label or sticker. Move to fully printed boxes once volume justifies the setup cost.

Printing methods and finishes#

The printing method sets both the look and the minimum quantity. The main choices:

• Offset (litho) printing — high quality CMYK and spot colours on paperboard, used for most colour boxes. It needs printing plates, so it is efficient for larger runs and expensive per unit for small ones.
• Flexographic printing — common on corrugated cartons and mailers, especially for simple one- or two-colour designs.
• Digital printing — no plates, so it suits short runs and many designs, at a higher cost per unit on large orders.
• Screen printing — used for poly bags, some rigid boxes and special effects.

Finishes add cost and sometimes a separate tool: matte or gloss lamination, spot UV, hot-foil stamping and embossing or debossing (which need their own plates or dies). Specify Pantone references for brand colours, because CMYK builds can shift between print runs.

Packaging MOQs and cost drivers#

Printed packaging carries its own MOQ, separate from the product MOQ. Published listings from Chinese packaging factories commonly show minimums of around 500–1,000 pieces for custom-printed paper boxes as of September 2026, with some offering lower runs, often by digital printing. Poly bags and labels are usually available in smaller quantities.

What drives the price:

1. Structure and material — rigid boxes cost far more than folding cartons; board thickness and corrugated flute type matter.
2. Size — more board per box and more volume in the shipping container.
3. Number of colours and sides printed — printing inside a mailer adds a pass.
4. Finishes — foil, embossing, spot UV and special coatings.
5. Tooling — plates, cutting dies and embossing blocks are one-off costs per design.
6. Quantity — setup costs are spread over the run.
7. Assembly — rigid boxes and inserts often involve hand work.

Remember the shipping side too: bulky packaging increases volume, and volume is what you pay for in sea and air freight. A slightly smaller box can reduce freight cost on every order.

Dielines and artwork files#

A dieline is the flat, unfolded outline of your box showing cut lines, fold lines, glue flaps and bleed. Ask the packaging supplier for the dieline for your exact size and structure, and design your artwork on it. Do not use a template from the internet unless the supplier confirms it matches their die.

What suppliers generally expect:

• Vector files (AI or PDF) with fonts outlined or embedded.
• CMYK colour mode, plus Pantone references for spot colours.
• Bleed around the artwork, commonly about 3 mm; confirm with the supplier.
• Images at print resolution, typically 300 dpi at final size.
• Separate layers for special finishes such as foil or spot UV.

Before mass production, ask for a digital proof, then a physical sample box. Check the barcode scans, text is legible, colours match and the product fits. Keep the approved sample with your other product samples.

Labelling requirements to check for your market#

Packaging rules are set by the country where you sell, not by China, and the supplier will not check them for you. Confirm these before printing:

Barcodes#

If you sell through retailers or marketplaces, you usually need a GTIN (UPC or EAN) barcode. GS1 US notes that Amazon verifies UPCs against the GS1 database, so buy GTINs from GS1 or your national GS1 organisation rather than from resellers. Print the barcode at an adequate size and contrast, and test-scan the sample.

Country of origin marking#

Most markets require imported goods to show where they were made. In the United States, CBP requires every article of foreign origin, or its container, to be marked legibly and conspicuously with the English name of the country of origin, so the ultimate purchaser can see it. Rules for when the container rather than the article can carry the marking are set out in CBP's guidance. Other markets have their own rules; check with your customs authority.

Product-specific labels#

Many product categories need additional text or marks on packaging: safety warnings, age grading for toys, material composition for textiles, conformity marks such as CE or UKCA, and importer name and address. See product certifications: CE, FCC, UKCA and CPC for an overview.

Eco-friendly materials#

Recycled paperboard, kraft paper, moulded pulp inserts and mono-material packaging are widely available from Chinese suppliers. Two points to watch:

• Claims need evidence. If you print an FSC logo, the product must come through FSC-certified chain of custody; FSC states that companies labelling products as FSC certified need chain-of-custody certification. Ask the supplier for their certificate and verify it.
• EU rules are tightening. The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU) 2025/40 applies from 12 August 2026. Among its later obligations, from 2030 grouped, transport and e-commerce packaging must not exceed 50% empty space, according to the EUR-Lex summary. If you sell in the EU, design packaging with these rules in mind now.

Packaging decisions should be part of your product brief from the start, whether you use an ODM or OEM model.