Running a small business in the UK means every customer-facing touchpoint matters — and packaging is often the first physical impression your brand makes. Whether you're dispatching orders or handing bags across a market stall, your packaging communicates something about who you are before a single product is unwrapped.
The good news? Custom printed packaging is more accessible than ever. With low minimum orders and short lead times, UK small businesses can now look as polished as the big brands. The challenge is knowing which type of packaging is right for your particular needs.
What to Consider Before Choosing Custom Packaging
Before you pick a product or place an order, it's worth working through a few key questions.
What Are You Shipping or Carrying?
The nature of your product shapes everything. Soft goods — clothing, accessories, small gifts — ship beautifully in custom polymailers or frosted zipper bags. Heavier items, or things that need rigidity, may be better suited to custom boxes or paper bags with handles.
If you're posting products out, consider whether your items are fragile, prone to moisture, or need to lie flat. Polymailers are lightweight — helping keep postage costs down — and waterproof. Frosted zipper bags are resealable and reusable, a feature your customers often notice and appreciate.
What Does Your Brand Look Like?
Your packaging should feel like a natural extension of your brand identity. A luxury skincare brand might favour white frosted bags with a single-colour logo. A streetwear label might want bold black polymailers with a full-width print. Think about your core brand colours, your logo, and the tone you want to set.
Custom printing lets you get your brand onto your packaging — whether it's a clean one-colour logo or a more detailed design. If you don't have a logo yet, or need print-ready artwork created, our design services can help.
What's Your Budget and How Many Do You Need?
Custom packaging pricing is based on two factors: size and quantity. The more you order, the cheaper each unit becomes. At The Craftionals, frosted zipper bags start from £44.49 for 50 units in 20×30cm, with the per-unit cost dropping as you move to 200 units or more.
Think about your monthly order volume and order accordingly. Ordering too few means higher unit costs; ordering too many ties up cash in stock. Most small businesses find the 50–100 unit range a sensible starting point.
Do You Need Resealable Packaging?
If you're selling items customers might store or return to — like clothing they try before keeping, or gifts set aside until a birthday — resealable packaging adds a practical benefit your customers will notice. Frosted zipper bags are ideal for exactly this reason.
The Main Types of Custom Packaging
Custom Polymailers
Custom polymailers are the workhorse of e-commerce packaging. They're lightweight, waterproof, and feature a peel-and-seal strip for fast dispatch. Available in black and white, printed on one side with your logo or artwork. Ideal for clothing, soft goods, and anything non-fragile you're shipping through the post.
Sizes range from 22×36cm up to 60×80cm, with prices starting from £44.99 for 50 units.
Frosted Zipper Bags
Frosted zipper bags offer a premium, boutique feel. The frosted film gives your packaging a high-end appearance that customers associate with quality. Available in black and white, printed one side in one colour. These work brilliantly for jewellery, accessories, cosmetics, and clothing — anywhere the unboxing moment matters.
Paper Bags
Custom paper bags are perfect for in-store, market stall, or event use. They're printable, available in a range of sizes, and offer an eco-friendlier option for businesses conscious about environmental impact.
Custom Boxes
Custom boxes are the gold standard for gifting and premium products. They're rigid, protective, and create a lasting first impression. If your product warrants a full unboxing experience, boxes are worth the investment.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Ordering the wrong size. Always check dimensions carefully against your product. Measure first and check against the size guide before confirming your order.
Choosing style over practicality. A beautiful bag is no good if it can't protect your product in transit. Match packaging to the job it needs to do first.
Leaving the design too late. Custom packaging requires a digital proof and approval before going to print. Build lead time into your plans — typically 8–13 working days from artwork approval at The Craftionals.
Not providing print-ready artwork. Artwork supplied in low resolution or the wrong format can delay your order. Always supply PDF or JPEG files at the correct size.
How to Get Started
The process is simpler than most people expect:
- Choose the product and size that suits your needs
- Get a free quote — we'll respond within 24 hours
- Send your artwork in PDF or JPEG format
- We'll send a free digital proof within 24–48 hours of receiving your files
- Approve the proof, and we print and dispatch
- Delivered free to your door in 8–13 working days
Custom packaging doesn't have to be complicated or expensive. Start with one product — your most common shipment size — and build from there. A single well-branded polymailer or frosted bag transforms the experience your customers have when an order arrives, and that transformation is worth far more than the cost per unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order for custom packaging in the UK?
At The Craftionals, the minimum order is 50 units for most products, including polymailers and frosted zipper bags. This makes custom packaging accessible even for small-scale businesses just starting out.
How long does custom packaging take to produce?
Our standard lead time is 8–13 working days from the date your artwork is approved. We send a free digital proof within 24–48 hours of receiving your files on weekdays.
What file format should I supply for custom packaging artwork?
We accept PDF and JPEG files. Your artwork should be supplied at the correct dimensions for the product, with a minimum resolution of 300 DPI for print-quality output.
Do I need a designer to create my packaging artwork?
Not necessarily. A high-resolution version of your logo is often all you need for simple one-colour printing on polymailers and frosted bags. If you need help, The Craftionals also offers logo and design services.