The holiday season, especially around Christmas and New Year’s, is huge for businesses. Themed holiday packaging is a great way to capture your customers. But to make the most of the season, you need to plan ahead.
Why Order Early?
Ordering early means your holiday packaging gets to you in time for product packaging and distribution so you don’t have to scramble last minute and risk delays that could impact your holiday sales.
Understanding Custom Packaging Lead Time
While specific timelines vary depending on your location, manufacturer, packaging complexity, and shipping method, here’s a general guideline:
- Design and Production: 6-12 weeks
- Shipping: 1-7 weeks, potentially longer during peak holiday season
For instance, if you need your packaging to be ready for Christmas, it is advisable to place your order by early November at the latest.
PakFactory Ordering Deadlines for Christmas 2024
During busy seasons, such as the lead-up to holidays, design, production, and shipping times can extend. To avoid delays and ensure you receive your custom packaging before Christmas, please place your order with us by November 28th, 2024.
Important Notes:
- Delivery times depend on the type of packaging products and shipping methods.
- This deadline guarantees the arrival of packaging materials only. If you need to package your products, consider ordering early.
How to Calculate Your Order Delivery Time
To estimate the delivery time for your custom packaging order, you need to consider both production and shipping times. Below, you’ll find the formula, an example, and detailed information on these times broken down by product type and shipping method.
Production Time by Product (Business Days):
- Folding Carton/Corrugated: 20-25 days
- Rigid: 20-35 days
- Countertop Displays: 10-12 days
- Floor Displays: 15-20 days
- Labels & Stickers: 10 days
- Paper/Reusable Bags: 25-35 days
- Mailer/Bubble Mailers: 12-15 days
- Custom Pouches: 28-30 days (roto print) / 10-12 days (digital print)
- Foam Inserts: 20 days
- Molded Pulp Inserts: 10 days (existing mold) / 2 months (new mold)
- Tin Boxes: 30-35 days
Shipping Time By Shipping Method (Business Days):
- Express Air Shipping (5-7 days): Fastest, most expensive, ideal for time-sensitive orders.
- Standard Air Shipping (12-18 days): Reliable and faster than sea shipping.
- Express Sea Shipping (30-40 days): Cost effective for large, planned orders.
- Standard Sea Shipping (40-50 days): Cheapest but longest lead time.
- Ground: All methods include ground transportation for final delivery.
Recommendations
For cost and time efficiency, we recommend choosing folding carton and corrugated options. Always account for both production and shipping times when planning your order to ensure timely delivery.
Budgeting for Holiday Packaging
Holiday packaging costs are higher due to increased material and labor demand and higher shipping rates. Remember:
- Allocate a Separate Budget: Set aside a separate budget for your holiday packaging that’s bigger than your regular packaging budget. This will ensure you have the funds to cover the extra costs of holiday packaging.
- Expect Higher Demand: Your packaging needs will be much higher than usual – potentially 80% higher than your regular sales. Factor this in to your budget to avoid being caught short.
- Use Historical Data and Order Extra: Review your past holiday sales data to forecast your packaging needs accurately. As a safety net, order at least 20% more packaging than your projected sales to account for any unexpected spikes in demand or delays.
6 Ways to Make Your Holiday Packaging Stand Out
- Neutral Language: Use generic language like “Spring Edition” instead of holiday specific language like “Easter Edition”. This will extend the life of your packaging beyond one holiday.
- User-Friendly Design: Prioritize designs that are easy for customers to open and assemble. Avoid overly complicated structures or excessive elements that could frustrate the customer.
- Limited Edition: Create a sense of exclusivity and customer loyalty by offering limited edition holiday packaging. This will make your products more desirable and collectible.
- Marketing and Branding Integration: Ensure your holiday packaging aligns with your overall brand. Integrate it with your marketing campaigns, social media and other branding elements for a seamless customer experience.
- Seasonal Product Offerings: Consider creating special holiday-themed products to further enhance the appeal of your packaging. This will create a synergy between product and packaging and make it more festive.
- Quality Materials: Invest in high quality packaging materials to elevate your brand and create a memorable unboxing experience. It may cost more upfront but will pay off in the long run with a stronger brand image and customer satisfaction.
For more holiday design ideas, visit our blog post: 19 Inspiring Holiday Packaging Ideas
Get in Touch with PakFactory
Ready to create stunning holiday packaging? Contact PakFactory today! Our packaging specialists are here to guide you through the entire process, from design to logistics, ensuring your packaging arrives on time and exceeds expectations.
