Ask them, “How much does a candle box cost?” and the answer is “It depends. The price of this box can change multiple times based on a few options. It is not a ploy, it’s the way packaging is made. What aids in this is understanding where the money is going, as that indicates which decisions affect your price. Candles have one cost driver most products do not: weight.
Why is there no single price?
Candles do not constitute one product. It’s a series of decisions, and each decision has a cost.
The number is moved by quantity, board, printing, finishes, inserts and weight of the candle. The price difference between two boxes of the same size may be enormous due to the differences in the specification choices within the box. Anybody giving a definite price without inquiry into those options is doing a bit of a guess.
Your Price includes:
- The total amount of the item(s) ordered in one order.
- Board and construction.
- Finishes and inserts.
Knowing what these mean will make it much easier to have a meaningful discussion with a supplier.
The price is most influenced by quantity.
Remember one thing: This. Of all the other factors, volume is the most important.
Fixed costs include tooling, setup, plates, and colour approval. They occur irrespective of the number of boxes ordered, whether 200 or 20,000. They dominate the unit price spread when it is a small run. When dispersed over a large run, they almost go undetected.
A greater quantity of the following affects cost because:
- Run fixed costs.
- Whatever way, setup occurs.
- The larger the run, the more efficient the print.
For several quantities, request prices. The curve shape indicates your sensible size.
The candle weighs 4.5 pounds.
Thus, candles are different from many products. The weight of a candle is more significant than lighter products and that weight increases cost.
A hefty candle requires a firm board to keep upright and not drop. It increases stacking load, requiring a stronger box in all places. And it’s also more expensive to ship, because weight dictates shipping cost. Candle boxes need to be made from real weight material, as opposed to a box for something light.
The costs of weight are incurred due to:
- Make it stronger material to hold.
- Increased resistance to crushing.
- More expensive shipping for each box.
This is the aspect that sets candle boxes apart from most and it is advisable to plan for this early on.
The Board Carries the Load
That weight is the most important factor here, where board is more significant than in lighter divisions. Both the type and thickness of the tape will have an impact on the price and protection.
A light product will cause a thin board to bend or break when placed under heavy load. Candles require board specially cut for their actual weight, and are more expensive than lighter stock, but will not damage the board. The FSC certified board comes from responsibly managed forests and it is not a drastic price increase.
The cost of the board is influenced by:
- Weight and thickness needed.
- If it is certified stock.
- Weight of the candle.
It’s usually far more expensive to buy the cheaper candles to save a bit of money.
You won’t be able to see the cost of printing until the steps are complete.
Printing is not a single, level cost. It depends upon the number of colors used, and the complexity of the art.
Simple one or two colour design is less expensive to set up than full colour printing on all panels. Adding each element can increase the charges of the plates and the setups. The major part of the printing cost is in the set-up, not the volume. Clean, simple print, for candle packaging, is often used, just because it’s cheap.
The higher the following factors, the more expensive the printing will be:
- Number of colors used.
- Strength of the piece(s) of art.
- Full coverage to each box.
Cleaner design means a more premium and affordable to print product. It’s a rare double win.
Finish areas tend to be where costs spiral upwards.
The highest cost is typically in finishing since each finish is typically a specific operation and requires individual tooling.
One pass is one matte or gloss coating. Now add foil stamping and that’s the other process. Include embossing and yet another one. Candles may have finishes to indicate a “gift worthy” quality; two choices with careful intent are more attractive than four haphazardly, and much cheaper.
The more following these factors, the more expensive the finishing will be:
- For every additional process used.
- Different tooling for foil or embossing.
- Specialty papers and materials.
Use the one or two finishes that really do make the box pop, and leave the rest.
This is the understated Insert that is often forgotten!
Here’s the price brands regularly don’t include in their budget. A fitted insert is really more of a second product.
A candle must have an insert in it to keep it upright, and the heavy jar must have an insert strong enough to support the weight of the candle so it doesn’t break. It requires its own design, material and sometimes its own tooling. If you have a heavy candle, it can’t afford to have a floppy, weak insert, so you should always put it in your budget.
The following factors influence the insert costs:
- Material used for the cradle.
- Force to lift the weight.
- Difficulty in the shape.
Calculate the cost of the insert with the box. It pays for itself in a short time for a heavy candle.
Final Thoughts
Candle box pricing appears confusing on the surface, but is quite easy to understand once you grasp it. It’s quantity that prevails since the fixed costs are distributed over your run. Weight is the driver that is unique to the candle a heavy jar requires a sturdier board, a stronger box and more to ship.
Board is a true cost and the last place to cut back on a big one. The printing tends to add in the majority to the cost, and cleaner artwork will be cheaper. The insert is a real cost that brands don’t think of, and finishes tend to escalate quickly, particularly when it comes to carrying a heavy candle. Get prices for a handful of quantities, ask for the price of the board and insert the actual weight, select finishes that “fit the bill” and the same money will get you candle packaging that will keep your product much better.
