Industry Insights
Best Custom Packaging Companies in 2026: Top 7 Compared
Cubit Packaging Team
June 17, 2026
Key Takeaways
- Cubit Packaging offers the best combination of price, quality, and design support for small-to-mid businesses shipping 250–10,000 units per order
- MOQs range from 10 units (Arka) to 500+ units (traditional manufacturers) depending on provider
- Per-unit pricing spans $0.75–$15 based on packaging type, material, and order quantity
- Turnaround times range from 5–21 business days with most providers averaging 10–14 days
- Free design assistance is not standard — only Cubit, Packlane, and noissue offer meaningful design support at no extra cost
Why Your Choice of Packaging Partner Matters
Picking the wrong packaging company costs you more than money. Late deliveries mean missed product launches. Poor print quality makes your brand look cheap. Rigid MOQs force you to store thousands of boxes you might not need for months.
We talked to over 50 DTC brands about their packaging experiences and analyzed the 7 most popular custom packaging companies head-to-head. Here is what we found.
The Comparison: 7 Custom Packaging Companies Ranked
| Company | Best For | MOQ | Price Range | Turnaround | Design Help | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cubit Packaging | Overall best value | 100 | $0.80–$8/unit | 7–12 days | Free AI + human | ★★★★★ |
| Packlane | Quick online ordering | 10 | $2–$15/unit | 8–14 days | Template-based | ★★★★☆ |
| Arka | Low MOQ startups | 10 | $1.50–$12/unit | 10–15 days | Basic editor | ★★★★☆ |
| noissue | Eco-focused brands | 25 | $1–$6/unit | 10–18 days | Template library | ★★★½☆ |
| Packola | Budget mailer boxes | 100 | $0.60–$4/unit | 12–21 days | Upload only | ★★★☆☆ |
| Custom Ink | Promotional items | 25 | $3–$20/unit | 7–10 days | Design tools | ★★★☆☆ |
| Uline | Bulk plain boxes | 100 | $0.30–$3/unit | 1–3 days | None | ★★½☆☆ |
Cubit Packaging — Best Overall
Full disclosure: this is our platform. But the numbers speak for themselves.
Cubit sits at the sweet spot between price, quality, and support. The AI design studio generates professional packaging concepts in minutes — not days. The MOQ of 100 units makes custom packaging accessible to businesses doing as few as 50 orders per month.
What separates Cubit from competitors is the combination of AI-assisted design with human design review. Your packaging goes through automated quality checks AND a real designer reviews your files before production. That dual approach catches problems that pure self-service platforms miss.
Pros:
- AI + human design assistance included free
- Competitive per-unit pricing ($0.80–$8)
- 30+ packaging types including mailer boxes, rigid boxes, and mylar bags
- Fast 7–12 day turnaround
- Instant online quoting
Cons:
- 100-unit minimum (not ideal for testing 10–25 units)
- Newer platform (less brand recognition than legacy players)
Packlane — Best for Self-Service Online Ordering
Packlane built the original online custom packaging editor and it remains one of the smoothest self-service experiences in the industry. Their 10-unit minimum is perfect for brands testing packaging concepts.
The tradeoff is price. Packlane's per-unit costs are 40–60% higher than Cubit at comparable quantities. A 500-unit order of custom mailer boxes runs roughly $5.50/unit on Packlane versus $2.80/unit on Cubit for similar specs.
Pros: Low MOQ, intuitive editor, fast quoting Cons: Premium pricing, limited material options, no human design review
Arka — Best for Micro-Startups
Arka's 10-unit minimum makes them the lowest-barrier entry point for custom packaging. Their platform is clean and straightforward, though the design capabilities are more limited than Cubit or Packlane.
Pros: 10-unit MOQ, clean interface, eco options Cons: Higher per-unit cost at scale, fewer box styles, longer lead times
noissue — Best for Eco-Focused Brands
noissue built their brand on sustainability. Every product they offer is either compostable, recyclable, or reusable. If sustainability is your primary brand pillar, noissue aligns perfectly.
Pros: Strong eco credentials, good tissue paper and sticker options Cons: Limited box types, no rigid boxes, slower turnaround, higher pricing
How to Choose the Right Partner
If you are ordering under 100 units
Go with Arka or Packlane. Their low MOQs let you test concepts without committing to large inventory.
If you are ordering 100–5,000 units
Cubit Packaging offers the best value at this volume. You get professional design support, competitive pricing, and the widest material selection.
If you need plain boxes fast
Uline ships standard sizes next-day. They are not a custom packaging company — they are a packaging distributor. Great for plain brown boxes, not for branded packaging.
If sustainability is non-negotiable
noissue or Cubit's eco-friendly packaging line both offer certified sustainable options.
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
When comparing packaging companies, look beyond the per-unit price:
- Setup fees: Some companies charge $200–$500 for die creation. Cubit and Packlane include this.
- Design fees: Professional design can cost $300–$1,500 per project. Cubit offers it free.
- Sample costs: Most companies charge $30–$75 for pre-production samples.
- Shipping: Packaging delivery to your warehouse adds $50–$200 per order.
- Revision rounds: Some companies charge for design revisions after the second round.
What we recommend: Calculate your total cost including design, setup, samples, and shipping — not just per-unit price. A $0.50/unit cheaper option with $500 in hidden fees costs you more on orders under 1,000 units.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest custom packaging company?
For branded custom packaging, Cubit Packaging and Packola offer the lowest per-unit pricing starting at $0.60–$0.80 per unit for basic mailer boxes at quantities of 500+. Uline is cheaper for plain unprinted boxes but does not offer custom printing.
Which packaging company has the lowest minimum order?
Arka and Packlane both offer 10-unit minimums. However, per-unit costs at 10 units are 3–5x higher than at 500 units. For most brands, ordering 100–250 units provides the best balance of cost and flexibility.
How long does custom packaging take to produce?
Most custom packaging companies deliver within 10–14 business days after design approval. Cubit averages 7–12 days. Rush production is available at most providers for an additional 15–25% fee.
Do I need to provide my own packaging design?
No. Companies like Cubit offer free design assistance including AI-generated concepts and human designer review. You can also upload your own print-ready files if you prefer.
Is custom packaging worth it for small businesses?
Yes. Custom packaging increases perceived value by 30–40% and boosts repeat purchase rates by 20–25% according to Dotcom Distribution's 2025 packaging survey. Even at small quantities (100–250 units), the ROI from improved brand perception typically exceeds the cost premium over plain packaging.
Ready to compare for yourself? Get a free instant quote from Cubit and see exactly what custom packaging costs for your specific products.