The Baseline Price Assumes a Standard Specification
All prices in this article are based on a standard rigid gift box measuring 200 × 150 × 80 mm, constructed from 350 gsm coated art paper wrapped over a 2 mm greyboard shell, printed in 4-color offset (CMYK), and finished with matte lamination. This is the most common spec requested at factories in China's Pearl River Delta and Yangtze River Delta manufacturing regions. Deviating from this spec—larger dimensions, thicker board, or premium paper stock—will shift prices upward by 10–40%.
At 500 Pieces, Per-Unit Cost Is Highest Due to Setup Amortization
At a quantity of 500 units, expect a factory ex-works (EXW) price of $2.20–$2.80 per unit, totaling $1,100–$1,400 USD. This quantity sits at or near most factories' minimum order quantity (MOQ), which means fixed setup costs—including plate-making ($80–$150) and die-cutting tooling ($300–$500)— are spread across fewer units. Some factories apply a low-quantity surcharge of 15–25% for orders under 1,000 pieces.
At 1,000 Pieces, Setup Costs Begin to Amortize Meaningfully
At 1,000 units, the per-unit EXW price drops to $1.60–$2.10, totaling $1,600–$2,100 USD. The ~25–30% reduction versus the 500-piece price is driven almost entirely by spreading the same fixed plate and tooling fees ($380–$650 total) across double the units. Material cost per box changes by less than $0.05 between 500 and 1,000 pieces, as raw paper and board are purchased in similar small-lot increments at both quantities.
At 5,000 Pieces, Pricing Enters a Commercially Viable Range for Most Brands
At 5,000 units, per-unit EXW price reaches $0.95–$1.40, totaling $4,750–$7,000 USD. At this quantity, factories can schedule a dedicated press run, reducing per-unit print cost to roughly $0.12–$0.18. Paper and board are now purchased in full-roll quantities, reducing material waste and cutting raw material cost by approximately 8–12% versus small-lot purchases. This quantity is the threshold at which most factories offer a free pre-production sample (worth $60–$120).
At 10,000 Pieces, Per-Unit Cost Stabilizes and Further Savings Are Marginal
At 10,000 units, per-unit EXW price reaches $0.90–$1.30, totaling $9,000–$13,000 USD. The price reduction versus 5,000 pieces is 5–15%, smaller than the drop seen at lower quantity breaks. At this volume, fixed setup costs are fully absorbed, and further savings require negotiating raw material pricing directly—typically only possible for orders exceeding 50,000 units. Factories may offer a 2–5% rebate for payment in full upfront at this quantity.
Premium Finishes Add a Fixed Per-Unit Cost Regardless of Quantity
Finish upgrades are priced on a per-unit basis and apply consistently across all quantity breaks. Soft-touch (velvet) lamination adds $0.08–$0.12 per unit. Spot UV varnish adds $0.05–$0.10 per unit. Hot foil stamping (gold or silver, single color) adds $0.12–$0.20 per unit. Embossing or debossing adds $0.10–$0.18 per unit plus a one-time die fee of $150–$400. Magnetic closure ribbon adds $0.15–$0.35 per unit depending on ribbon width and magnet strength.
Unit Price Comparison by Quantity (Standard Spec, EXW)
| Quantity | Unit Price Range (USD) | Total EXW Cost (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 pcs | $2.20 – $2.80 | $1,100 – $1,400 | Near MOQ; low-qty surcharge may apply |
| 1,000 pcs | $1.60 – $2.10 | $1,600 – $2,100 | ~25–30% cheaper per unit vs. 500 pcs |
| 5,000 pcs | $0.95 – $1.40 | $4,750 – $7,000 | Full press run; free sample threshold |
| 10,000 pcs | $0.90 – $1.30 | $9,000 – $13,000 | Marginal savings; 2–5% upfront rebate possible |
All prices are EXW (ex-works) from Chinese factories. Tooling, freight, duties, and insurance are not included. Request formal quotes to confirm.
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