If you’re launching a new product and have never purchased packaging before, you’re not alone. Most startups and medical device teams struggle with timelines, cost drivers, and technical requirements. This guide walks you through a step-by-step process to buy packaging confidently.
1. Clarify What Your Packaging Must Do
- Product type (medical device, cosmetic, hardware, food, etc.)
- Protection requirements (drop, puncture, sterility, moisture)
- Regulatory constraints
- Sales environment (e-commerce, clinic, retail shelf)
- Brand and graphic standards
2. Understand Packaging Cost Drivers
- Material: board grade, plastic type, coatings
- Print method: digital, offset, flexo
- Tooling: dies, plates, molds
- Order quantity: MOQs and price breaks
- Finishing: foils, embossing, varnishes
- Freight: palletization and shipping
3. Know Your Supplier Options
- Factories: direct feedback, but you manage engineering
- Brokers: access to multiple plants, but less transparency
- Agencies: great design, weaker manufacturability
- Consultants: best for startups & regulated products
4. Build a Simple RFQ Package
- Dimensions or rough dieline
- Target quantities & annual volume
- Print expectations
- Regulatory or validation needs
- Launch date or timeline
5. Common First-Time Mistakes
- Waiting too long to start packaging (8–16 weeks is typical)
- Locking artwork before the structure is validated
- Selecting suppliers based only on unit price
- Assuming any vendor can support medical device requirements
Need Help Buying Packaging?
Influence Packaging specializes in supporting startups, medical device teams, and Bay Area companies with their first packaging projects.