"What's your minimum order?" is the first question most new customers ask. It's a fair one - ordering too little costs more per unit, but ordering too much ties up cash and warehouse space. This guide explains why minimum order quantities (MOQs) exist in custom packaging, what to expect from Canadian suppliers, and how to decide what quantity is right for your business.
Why MOQs Exist in Custom Packaging
Custom packaging isn't printed on demand like a t-shirt. Every new job requires setup: creating or confirming a structural dieline, preparing print files, setting up the press, and often cutting a custom die. These setup costs are fixed regardless of how many units you order - they don't change whether you're printing 100 boxes or 10,000.
MOQs exist because below a certain quantity, the economics simply don't work. The setup cost becomes a disproportionate share of the total job cost, and the supplier can't price the job competitively. Most Canadian packaging suppliers set MOQs at the point where the job becomes economically viable for both parties.
This is also why per-unit pricing drops sharply as quantity increases - you're spreading that fixed setup cost across more units.
MOQ Reference: By Product Type
The following table shows typical MOQs from Canadian packaging suppliers alongside Magenta Depot's minimums. "Typical" ranges reflect what you'll encounter across the market.
| Product Type | Typical Canadian MOQ | Magenta Depot MOQ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folding Cartons | 500 - 1,000 | 500 | Small cartons can sometimes start at 500. Larger or complex structures may require 1,000+. |
| Mailer Boxes | 500 - 1,000 | 500 | Standard sizes start at 500. Custom dimensions or inside printing may require higher quantities. |
| Custom Labels | 1,000 - 2,000 | 1,000 | Roll labels are priced per linear foot. Lower quantities are possible at a higher per-unit cost. |
| Shipper Cases | 500 - 1,000 | 500 | Corrugated cases. Complex multi-colour printing typically requires 1,000+ units. |
| Cannabis Packaging | 500 - 1,000 | 500 | Child-resistant and compliant structures available. Quantities vary by format. |
| Die-Cut Packaging | 1,000 - 2,500 | 1,000 | Custom die tooling adds cost. Lower quantities are possible but less economical. |
A note on "no minimum" claims: Some online packaging services advertise no minimums or very low minimums (10-50 units). These are typically digitally printed on pre-made stock structures - not custom-manufactured packaging. The quality, structural options, and finish options are significantly limited compared to a proper custom run. If you need genuinely custom packaging, plan for 500+ units.
How to Think About Quantity at Each Stage
Pre-launch / Early Testing (500 units)
If you're validating a new product or testing a packaging design for the first time, ordering at the minimum makes sense. Yes, your per-unit cost will be higher - but you're buying optionality. If the design needs changes, or the product doesn't sell as expected, you haven't committed to 5,000 units of the wrong thing.
At this stage, keep the design simple. A clean 1-2 colour design on kraft or white board is much more economical than full CMYK with a soft-touch finish, and it still looks professional.
Growing Brand (1,000 - 2,500 units)
Once you've validated your product and design, ordering in the 1,000-2,500 unit range hits a good price-to-risk balance. You're getting meaningful per-unit cost savings compared to the 500-unit run, without committing to a full production run that could take a year to move through.
This is also the range where it starts to make sense to invest in premium finishes - matte laminate, spot UV, or foil - because the additional cost per unit at 1,000+ is relatively small compared to the shelf impact.
Established Brand (5,000+ units)
At 5,000 units and above, you're operating at scale and your per-unit packaging cost drops significantly. This is where packaging becomes a real competitive moat - you can afford premium materials and finishes that a smaller competitor can't justify at lower quantities.
At this scale, it's also worth thinking about inventory management. Most Canadian brands at this stage maintain 3-4 months of packaging inventory on hand, reordering before stockout to avoid production delays.
5 Tips for Getting MOQs Right
What About Overseas Suppliers with Lower MOQs?
Some overseas suppliers - particularly from China - advertise lower MOQs than Canadian suppliers. This is partly real (lower labour costs reduce the economics of small runs) and partly a sales tactic (the unit pricing at low MOQs from overseas suppliers is often not competitive once you add freight and duties).
More importantly, MOQ isn't the only consideration when choosing a supplier. Lead times of 8-14 weeks, customs clearance uncertainty, quality control challenges, and the difficulty of resolving problems remotely are real costs that don't show up in the MOQ number. For Canadian brands that need to move quickly and reliably, domestic production at 500 units is almost always the better choice.
Summary: What MOQ Should You Order?
- New product, first run: Order at the minimum (500 units). Keep it simple. Validate before scaling.
- Growing product, proven design: 1,000-2,500 units. Better unit economics, room for premium finishes.
- Established product, predictable demand: 5,000+ units. Best unit cost, maximum options.
- Multiple SKUs: Quote together, order based on individual SKU velocity.
- Tight deadline: Always ask about rush production availability upfront.
Not sure what quantity makes sense for your situation? Submit a quote request with your specs and tell us where you are in your product journey - we'll give you an honest recommendation.