Guides · Production
Our production process — brief to delivery
Custom packaging production has six disciplined stages. This is how your brief becomes boxes on your filling line — timeline, checkpoints, and quality controls at every step.
The six stages
- 1. Brief & indicative quote · Day 0–2You send product specs, target volumes, brand references, launch date. Our team returns an indicative quote with 2–3 material options and a recommended finishing direction within 48 hours.
- 2. Dieline design & proofing · Day 3–7Our dieline engineers build the cutting and folding pattern. We share a 3D preview + flat artwork-ready dieline. You approve the construction before artwork begins.
- 3. Artwork finalization · Day 8–12Your designer (or ours on request) lays out artwork on the dieline. We proof-check: bleed, print margins, Triman placement, regulatory text, CLP pictograms. ICC-profiled digital proof circulated for sign-off.
- 4. Physical prototype · Day 13–20A single physical prototype printed on production stock with production finishing. You sign off in hand — foil colour, emboss depth, material feel, lid close. This is the lock point.
- 5. Production · Day 21–35 (depending on format)Press run, finishing (lamination / foil / emboss / die-cut), assembly (for rigid / magnetic boxes). Our QC runs piece-checks at three stages: post-print, post-finish, post-assembly.
- 6. Delivery DAP · Day 35–40Palletized, shrink-wrapped, delivered to your filling line, 3PL, or retailer DC. We handle customs, VAT, tracking. You receive boxes ready to fill.
Quality control checkpoints
- Incoming material inspectionEvery paper / board batch checked for GSM, colour, surface defects before press.
- Press-start approvalFirst 20 sheets off press reviewed against the approved proof. Colour densitometry + Delta-E against brand spec.
- Inline finishing checkFoil registration, emboss depth, lamination quality reviewed every 500 sheets.
- Post-assembly auditFor rigid / magnetic boxes: lid close, hinge action, insert alignment, lining anchoring. 1-in-100 units physically inspected.
- Pre-shipment checkRandom units pulled from finished pallets. Packed box + product fit (if filling template provided) verified.
- DocumentationFSC certificates, ink data sheets, production photos, QC log — delivered with every order.
Typical lead times by format
- Kraft folding carton12–14 days from approved artwork. Reorders: 9 days.
- GC1 folding carton with window + spot UV14–18 days. Reorders: 11 days.
- E-commerce mailer (E-flute, direct print)14 days. Reorders: 10 days.
- Rigid gift box (2mm greyboard wrap)18–22 days. Reorders: 14 days.
- Magnetic closure box20–24 days. Reorders: 16 days.
- Retail display (litho-laminated B-flute)22–26 days. Reorders: 18 days.
Rush production
Rush slots available at +15% production surcharge. Lead times compressed by ~30%. We prioritize based on current press schedule — confirm availability before ordering.
Where your boxes are made
Production across our partner network in France, Belgium, and the Czech Republic — all EU-based, all FSC-certified, all ISO 9001 / ISO 14001 audited. Materials sourced from European mills (Fedrigoni, Keaykolour, Sappi, Billerud).
Ready to start?
Send us a brief and we return an indicative quote + 2–3 material recommendations within 48 hours — no commitment, no data capture beyond what we need to quote properly.