Making a handmade bar of soap can be a time-consuming process, sometimes taking weeks to cure before it's ready for sale, and it is often wrapped in whatever plain wrapping is at hand. This divide between the crafting and the presentation is now beginning to be bridged, as there is increasing awareness of the importance of soap boxes more than soap itself among more and more small soap makers when it comes to what to purchase.

The box can be the difference between a farmer's market customer buying a product and another passing.

What's Stopping Small Soap Makers From Upgrading Packaging?

Most large box suppliers will not quote a custom design until the order is placed in bulk. That is great for large skincare companies, but it is not a possibility for a company that makes only a hundred or so bars a month. Unfortunately, many small businesses end up purchasing plain kraft boxes, which do not necessarily convey the quality of the material they are holding.

No, it's not more money for marketing. It's locating a manufacturer who is eager to manufacture smaller quantities for custom work and does so for a reasonable rate.

How Soap Packaging Boxes Protect a Delicate Product

Soap packaging boxes aren't just aesthetically pleasing for the shelf. Handmade soaps can be more delicate and easily damaged than manufactured bars, and the right box can ensure their safety from handling, moisture, and damage from the shelf.

• Heavy duty stock that will not crush during handling and shipping.

• Coated interiors are not oil transfer resistant from natural soap ingredients.

• Snug-fit sizing ensures that the bar will not move within the box.

• Natural soap that can breathe without sweating is offered by ventilation options.

For a natural soap, the oils used (coconut or olive) can cause it to sweat a little in humid environments, so it is important to have ventilation here, rather than with a synthetic bar. A moisture trapping box can cause a soap bar to become soft or greasy when it's time for the customer to use it.

Custom Soap Boxes and the Handmade Appeal

Custom soap boxes allow a small company to show why a product is unique compared to a mass manufactured product. Whether the window cutout or kraft finish or hand-stamped design, what one of your customers is waiting for is something that's put together with care, rather than stamped out on an assembly line.

Previously such packaging was only cost effective with high print volumes. All that has changed with digital printing, because smaller custom batches are now feasible for makers who aren't ready to place a thousand orders.

Is Custom Printed Soap Boxes Pricing Realistic for Small Brands?

Until now, it's been out of reach for small manufacturers, who had to pay for pallets of Custom Printed Soap Boxes for a brand that was sold in bulk. This cost has been reduced thanks to digital printing, which is now affordable for a maker who makes a handful of hundred units per month and wants to build a brand in that segment.

What Affects Pricing Most

• Determine the size of the order and the size of the box.

• The number of ink colors and the type of finish.

• Turnaround time requested

What Doesn't Have to Cost Extra

• Simple tuck-end or sleeve designs found in the most basic of garments.

• Kraft or white stock that meets the standard.

• Test order before buying, or you may be disappointed.

What to Look for in a Soap Box Manufacturer

Not all packaging providers have an understanding of what a small soap company requires. There are a number of factors that set a good manufacturer apart from a less impressive one:

• A broker is not adding a mark-up, direct manufacturing.

• Oil- and moisture-resistant coated stock options

• An open mind to offer smaller custom runs without a higher price.

• Available window cutouts, sleeves and tuck-end styles.

When comparing manufacturers, makers tend to hone in on their options before they make a purchase. Smaller soap brands can work with companies such as Kwick Packaging on custom box runs to give soap companies a chance to test out packaging before going into full-scale production.

Is Soap Boxes Wholesale Pricing Worth Exploring Early?

No longer just for big brands, soap boxes wholesale pricing has become more accessible. A small order placed a little early is frequently enough to make the per unit cost worthwhile for the brand to be packaged the first time, instead of the second.

This is particularly relevant for makers who do only sell at certain times of year – a little more stock purchased in advance of a busy time could be more cost effective than ordering smaller quantities throughout the year if the maker is not inundated with orders.

Which Sellers Rely Most on Branded Soap Packaging?

Here are some examples of how custom soap boxes can be found in various small businesses:

• Farmers market vendors will have branded boxes to differentiate themselves to stand out among other handmade items.

• Retailers of subscription boxes are dependent on uniformity in their packaging to keep their customers returning.

• Spa and wellness brands employ high-end finishes to align with their higher price.

• Soap is available in gift and specialty shops as part of gift sets

USA's Leading Soap Packaging Manufacturers: Kwick Packaging and Others

Researchers of packaging partners for soap tend to have a short list of trusted US-based manufacturers to choose from. It's not surprising that two other terms that have been mentioned in that research are Packlane and PakFactory, who both have experience in dealing with smaller custom print runs with little to no production delays.

Does the Box Really Affect How a Soap Bar Sells?

In the case of handmade products, presentation plays a big role in customer behaviour. Even if a soap bar is of high quality, it can appear unfinished if it is wrapped in plain packaging. When a shopper is comparing a number of similar products side by side, a well designed box will convey care and consistency.

This phenomenon is evident at markets and pop-up shops, where the customer is likely to make a rapid decision based on what they see first.

Getting Started With a Packaging Upgrade

It is not necessary to change a whole brand all at once to go with custom soap boxes. Most manufacturers are willing to provide samples so that a manufacturer can try box strength, print quality and fit before ordering more.

Final Thoughts

It's not just a minor afterthought anymore; soap boxes are becoming a significant component in the way that small soap companies fight it out for attention. From protective coatings to inexpensive custom printing to manufacturers accommodating smaller batch sizes, even a do-it-yourself soap maker can actually create a polished product like a reputable skin care brand. When presentation is more than just a passing fancy alongside quality, the use of branded soap packaging is bound to become commonplace among more small businesses, as with the rest of the product packaging landscape.