Cost & Pricing
How Much Does Packaging Design Cost? Complete Pricing Guide (2026)
Cubit Packaging
July 2, 2026
2 min read
Quick Answer: Packaging design costs range from $0 (AI tools like Cubit) to $5,000–$10,000+ (premium agencies). Production costs typically range from $0.50–$5.00 per unit for custom printed packaging.
Design Fees by Method
| Method | Cost | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| AI (Cubit) | Free | 60 seconds |
| Freelancer | $200–$800 | 1–2 weeks |
| Small agency | $1,000–$3,000 | 2–4 weeks |
| Premium agency | $5,000–$10,000+ | 4–8 weeks |
Production Cost Per Unit
| Box Type | 250 units | 1,000 units | 5,000 units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailer box | $3.50–$5.00 | $1.50–$2.50 | $0.80–$1.50 |
| Folding carton | $2.00–$3.50 | $0.80–$1.50 | $0.40–$0.80 |
| Rigid box | $5.00–$8.00 | $3.00–$5.00 | $2.00–$3.50 |
How to Reduce Costs
- Use AI for design — eliminate $500–$5,000 in design fees with Cubit
- Order in larger quantities — 40–60% savings going from 250 to 1,000 units
- Choose standard box sizes — custom dimensions add $100–$300 in tooling
- Use digital printing for runs under 1,000 units (no plate costs)
Get a free custom packaging design → — skip the design fee entirely.
For tool options, see best packaging design tools 2026.
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