Free Cardboard Box Samples How To Request And What To Expect

Cardboard box samples provide businesses and individuals with the opportunity to evaluate packaging quality, materials, and printing options before committing to larger orders. Several suppliers offer free or low-cost samples to showcase their products and services. This article explores the various types of cardboard box samples available, how to request them, what to expect in terms of contents and shipping, and the benefits of ordering these samples.

Types of Cardboard Box Samples Available

Several suppliers offer different types of cardboard box samples to meet various needs:

• Single Box Samples: CustomBoxes.io provides a single shipping box sample with free shipping. These samples allow customers to test print quality and box quality, with sizes varying based on availability. The company limits customers to one sample per person.

• Sample Kits: Multiple suppliers offer comprehensive sample kits. Packlane provides kits containing swatch cards of corrugated cardboard materials, HDPrint print finishes, and cardstock materials. BoxGenie offers pre-designed sample kits with ready-to-assemble miniature versions of different box styles.

• Rolled Print Samples: BoxGenie offers free rolled print samples that provide a close replication of the final print, though with some variance in ink absorption. These samples are faster to produce than custom corrugate mockups.

• Custom-Printed Mockups: For more specific needs, BoxGenie creates fully customized mockup box samples tailored to specific dimensions, artwork, and paper types. These samples come at a cost of $250 but can be applied to orders of $1,000 or more.

How to Request Free Cardboard Box Samples

Requesting cardboard box samples typically involves a straightforward process:

• Online Ordering: Most suppliers provide sample request options through their websites. Customers can select the type of sample they want and provide necessary specifications.

• Custom Orders: For custom-printed mockups, customers need to select their box style, specify dimensions and requirements, and set the quantity to "1" to place a mockup order.

• Sample Limitations: Suppliers often impose restrictions on sample quantities. For instance, CustomBoxes.io limits customers to one sample per person, while other suppliers may have similar limitations.

• Discount Incentives: Some suppliers offer discounts on future orders after sample purchase. CustomBoxes.io provides $10 off or 10% off the first order after ordering a sample SKU.

Sample Kit Contents and What They Include

Sample kits vary by supplier but generally include multiple elements to help customers evaluate different aspects of the packaging:

• Packlane Sample Kits: Include one Shipper (the Kraft box the kit is shipped in), one Mailer (the White box containing swatches), and one Product Box (a small Cardstock box inside the Mailer). These kits feature custom-printed swatches with varying designs and colors for reference.

• BoxGenie Sample Kits: Contain mini mailer, shipping, and triangle boxes in a variety of paper types including Kraft, Essential White, and Magic White. The kits also include an artificial (Faux) Kraft print example and demonstrations of inks, typographic, and print techniques.

• Material Swatches: Both suppliers include different material samples to help customers understand the feel and quality of various cardboard options.

• Print Quality Examples: Sample kits typically showcase different printing techniques, coatings, and laminates to demonstrate the supplier's capabilities.

Shipping and Processing Times

Shipping timelines for cardboard box samples vary depending on the supplier and sample type:

• Standard Sample Kits: Packlane estimates that sample kits arrive within 7-12 days of ordering.

• Pre-Designed Kits: BoxGenie notes that their sample kits are pre-printed and shipped daily, with arrival expected within just a few days.

• Custom Mockups: Custom-printed mockups require longer lead times compared to other sample types due to the personalized nature of the product.

• Single Box Samples: CustomBoxes.io states that their single box samples ship the next day after ordering.

Benefits of Ordering Cardboard Box Samples

Ordering cardboard box samples provides several advantages for businesses and individuals:

• Quality Assessment: Samples allow customers to physically evaluate the quality of materials, construction, and printing before making larger commitments.

• Sustainability Evaluation: Many suppliers emphasize the eco-friendly nature of their cardboard boxes. Samples provide the opportunity to assess the environmental credentials of the packaging.

• Design Visualization: Seeing actual samples helps in visualizing how final products will look and feel, which is particularly important for branding purposes.

• Risk Reduction: Testing samples reduces the risk of dissatisfaction with bulk orders by allowing customers to verify that the products meet their requirements.

• Cost-Effective Decision Making: Samples provide a low-cost way to compare different suppliers and product options before investing in larger quantities.

Customization Options and Limitations

Customization options for cardboard box samples vary by supplier and sample type:

• Limited Customization: Most suppliers offer standard sample kits that cannot be customized. Packlane explicitly states that their sample kits cannot be customized and do not include certain specialized printing options like Digital White Ink or Econoflex printing samples.

• Custom Test Orders: For specific design or size requirements, suppliers may recommend placing custom test orders of small quantities (1-10 units) as an alternative to sample kits.

• Print Options: While standard samples may showcase limited print techniques, custom mockups can include specific artwork, dimensions, and paper types as requested by the customer.

• Special Features: Some suppliers may offer additional features in custom samples that aren't available in their standard sample offerings.

Cost Considerations and Discounts

While many cardboard box samples are free or low-cost, there are important cost considerations:

• Free Samples: Several suppliers offer free samples, including single box samples from CustomBoxes.io and rolled print samples from BoxGenie.

• Paid Samples: Custom-printed mockups typically come with a fee, with BoxGenie charging $250 for these specialized samples.

• Discount Opportunities: Some suppliers offer discounts on future orders after sample purchase. CustomBoxes.io provides $10 off or 10% off the first order after ordering their sample SKU.

• Value Application: The cost of certain samples, like custom mockups, may be applied to larger orders, effectively reducing the overall cost for customers who proceed with production.

• Bulk Order Value: Suppliers often highlight the value of their bulk orders compared to competitors. For example, CustomBoxes.io notes that customers can get 100 boxes starting at $41, which they compare to getting 50-75 boxes free versus competitors.

Sustainability Features of Cardboard Box Samples

Many suppliers emphasize the environmental benefits of their cardboard box samples:

• Eco-Friendly Materials: CustomBoxes.io describes their corrugated cardboard mailer shipping boxes as recyclable and biodegradable, positioning their kraft RSC shipping boxes as among the most eco-friendly mailer options available.

• Sustainable Printing: Suppliers like CustomBoxes.io highlight sustainable printing practices as a key feature of their products.

• Consumer Appeal: Source [2] notes that many brands are using sustainable materials for sample boxes to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.

• Material Information: Sample kits often include information about the sustainable aspects of the materials, helping customers make informed decisions about their environmental impact.

Conclusion

Cardboard box samples provide valuable opportunities for businesses and individuals to evaluate packaging options before committing to larger orders. Suppliers offer various types of samples, from single boxes and comprehensive kits to custom-printed mockups, each with different processing times and costs. While many samples are free, some customization options may involve fees, though these may be applied to future orders. Sample kits typically include multiple box styles, material swatches, and print examples to showcase the supplier's capabilities. When ordering samples, customers should consider shipping times, customization limitations, and the sustainability features of the materials. By taking advantage of these sample offerings, businesses can make more informed decisions about their packaging needs while potentially benefiting from discounts on future orders.

Sources

1. Custom Shipping Box Sample with Free Shipping
2. The Ultimate Guide to Free Sample Boxes
3. Packlane Sample Kit
4. BoxGenie Sample Kit