"How much?" is the first thing most people ask, and the honest answer is: it depends. But it depends on only a few things, and once you know them, you can predict your price yourself. This page walks through them, with the real numbers from our price list.
What a sleeve costs: three real examples
These are prices per sleeve, one-color print on kraft board, at the standard size for each style.
| Style | 100 units | 500 units | 1,000 units |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belly band | $0.95 | $0.46 | $0.36 |
| Box sleeve | $1.50 | $0.85 | $0.62 |
| Tray and sleeve box | $3.00 | $1.85 | $1.35 |
These are starting prices, not a final quote. Your size and artwork can move the price up or down a little, which is why the calculator shows a small range.
The six things that change the price
- How many you order. This is the big one. Look at the table below: going from 100 to 1,000 sleeves cuts the price per sleeve by more than half.
- The style. A flat belly band is the simplest. Box sleeves take more board and more steps. Tray and slipcase styles are the most complex, so they cost the most.
- The size. A bigger sleeve uses more board. A sleeve for a large box costs more than one for a bar of soap.
- The material. Kraft is the base price. Recycled board adds $0.03, SBS/C1S white board adds $0.05, and corrugated adds $0.08 per sleeve.
- The print. Each extra color adds $0.03-$0.07, and printing the inside as well adds $0.04-$0.10 (the lower number applies to big orders).
- The finish. Spot UV and soft-touch add $0.06-$0.15 each, embossing adds $0.10-$0.25, and foil adds $0.12-$0.30. The extra cost per sleeve is lower on bigger orders.
How quantity changes the price
Here is a box sleeve on kraft board with a one-color print, at five different quantities.
| Quantity | Price per sleeve | Order total |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | $1.50 | $150.00 |
| 250 | $1.26 | $314.06 |
| 500 | $0.85 | $425.00 |
| 1,000 | $0.62 | $620.00 |
| 5,000 | $0.36 | $1,800.00 |
The price falls fastest between 100 and 500 sleeves. After that it keeps falling, but more slowly. If you are unsure, order the quantity you will sell in the next few months, not the one that looks cheapest.
What a fancy sleeve costs
Soft-touch
Foil stamping
Spot UV
Embossing
Say you want a box sleeve with full-color artwork, a soft-touch finish and a foil logo, in a run of 500. That comes to about $1.35 per sleeve, or $672.50 for the order. The same sleeve with a plain one-color print is about $0.85 per sleeve.
So the extras add up, but not wildly. You can make a small run feel premium for less than you might expect.
Seven ways to pay less without hurting the look
- Print one or two colors on kraft. One dark ink on brown board looks natural and confident, and it is the lowest price.
- Use one finish, not three. A single foil logo or one soft-touch layer gives most of the effect.
- Pick a simpler style. A belly band can do a lot of branding for a fraction of the cost of a full sleeve.
- Order a bit more. If you will use 500 sleeves anyway, check the price at 1,000. It is sometimes worth it.
- Keep the size close to your product. Every extra inch is extra board. Add only the clearance you need.
- Use one design across products. Change only a name or color band between scents or flavors, so each run is larger.
- Send finished artwork. It saves time. If you need help, free basic design support is included.
What is not hidden in the price
- Shipping is included. There is no delivery line added at the end.
- A digital proof is free, and nothing prints until you approve it.
- Delivery is about 2 weeks once your proof is approved.
Prices on this site are a careful starting point. Your quote is the number that counts, and we confirm it with you before you pay.