What is the minimum order quantity¹ for your cosmetic boxes?

You have a new cosmetic line, but you're worried about huge upfront costs for packaging. Committing to thousands of boxes before making a single sale is a risk you can't afford.

Our standard minimum order quantity¹ (MOQ) for custom cosmetic boxes² is 1,000 pieces. We set this level because it is the point where the cost per box³ becomes very affordable for new brands.

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I speak with passionate founders like you every day. I know that cash flow is king when you're starting out. You need professional packaging that reflects the quality of your product, but you can't tie up all your capital in inventory. The term MOQ shouldn't be a barrier; it should be the start of a conversation. It’s about finding that sweet spot where you get a price you can afford and we can run production efficiently. We can be flexible. So let’s talk about what this number really means for your business.

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What is a minimum order quantity¹?

You keep hearing suppliers use the term "MOQ." It sounds like a strict, non-negotiable rule that locks out small businesses and startup⁴s, which is incredibly frustrating when you're just trying to get started.

A Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) is the lowest number of units a factory will produce in one production run⁵. It exists because making custom products involves significant fixed costs for machine setup.

The reason for the MOQ is really about making the final price fair for you. When I create your custom box, I first need to build special tools. This includes a custom cutting die to stamp out your box shape and a set of printing plates for your artwork. These tools have a fixed cost, let's say $400, whether I make 100 boxes or 10,000 boxes. If you only order 100 boxes, you have to pay an extra $4 per box just to cover the tool cost. But if you order 1,000 boxes, that tool cost becomes only $0.40 per box. A higher MOQ isn’t about turning away small orders; it’s about spreading out those initial setup costs so the price for each box is much lower and makes economic sense for everyone.

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What is MOQ in cosmetics?

You see the beautiful, intricate boxes of major cosmetic brands. You assume the MOQ to achieve that level of quality must be in the tens of thousands, putting it completely out of reach.

The MOQ for custom cosmetic packaging is typically 1,000 pieces. This number is the industry sweet spot where advanced printing and finishing techniques become cost-effective for brands of all sizes.

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I set our standard MOQ for cosmetic boxes at 1,000 pieces for a very specific reason: it’s about managing your costs . From my experience, the price per box drops significantly at the 1,000-unit mark, making it much easier for a client to accept . Cosmetic boxes often involve more than just simple printing. You want that elegant gold foil, the raised feel of an embossed logo, or a soft-touch matte finish. Each of these special processes requires its own set of tools and machine setup, adding to the fixed costs. Spreading these costs across 1,000 units makes these luxury features⁷ surprisingly affordable. It allows a startup⁴ brand to compete on the shelf with the same perceived quality as a global giant.

Price Per Box vs. Quantity

Order Quantity	Cost Per Box (Example)	Total Cost (Example)	Notes
500	$2.50	$1,250	High per-unit cost due to setup fees.
1,000	$1.40	$1,400	The "sweet spot." A small price increase gives you double the boxes.
5,000	$0.90	$4,500	Significant savings per unit for established brands.

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How to calculate the minimum order quantity¹?

You feel like a manufacturer just randomly picks an MOQ number. You want to understand the logic behind it so you can plan your budget⁸ better and know if there's any room to negotiate.

You don't calculate the manufacturer's MOQ. The manufacturer calculates it based on their break-even point. Your job is to calculate your ideal order quantity based on your business needs and budget⁸.

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A manufacturer's MOQ is determined by a simple formula: Fixed Setup Costs + (Variable Cost Per Unit x Quantity) = Total Production Cost. We figure out the lowest quantity that makes the run profitable. But that's my calculation, not yours. Your focus should be on your own business numbers. Ask yourself:

1. Sales Forecast: Realistically, how many units do you think you can sell in the next 3-6 months?
2. Budget: What is the maximum amount you can comfortably invest in packaging right now?
3. Storage: Do you have the physical space to store 1,000 boxes?

Once you have your ideal number, come talk to me. If you say, "I can only afford 700 boxes right now," we can work with that. I can suggest simplifying the design or removing a special finish to meet your target price at that quantity. The MOQ is a starting point for our conversation, not an ending point.

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What is the minimum MOQ?

You are just starting out and only need 200 boxes for a farmers market or a small online test. You search for "low MOQ" suppliers but feel like even their minimums are too high for you.

While our standard MOQ is 1,000 pieces for the best price, we are flexible. If a customer needs a quantity lower than 1,000, we can still customize an order, often starting around 500 pieces.

This is an important point I want to make clear. Our MOQ for cosmetic boxes is 1,000 pieces, but if a customer has a quantity below 1,000, we can absolutely customize the quantity for them . I started my own business, so I understand the needs of a startup⁴. Sometimes you need a small batch of 500 boxes for a trade show¹⁰, a press kit¹¹, or to test a new product. We can do that. However, I am always transparent about the cost. Because the setup fees are fixed, the total price for 500 boxes might not be much less than the price for 1,000. It's my job to show you the numbers for both options. Often, clients realize that for a small extra investment, they can get twice as many boxes, and they decide the 1,000-piece order is the smarter business decision in the long run.

Conclusion

Our standard MOQ is 1,000 units to give you the best value. However, we are flexible and will work with you on smaller quantities to help launch your brand successfully.

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