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April 19, 2023
Getting Started
Part 3: The variety of options in our quote tool can feel like a lot, but each one has its place, as well as its unique advantages.
Why we do it this way.
Whatever you’re packaging, we make it a priority to provide the tools and products you need to make your product look like a really big deal, all with the flexibility of low MOQs and fast lead times.
Our experience, as well as consumer research, shows that well-designed packaging doesn’t just make people more interested in your product; it compels them to feel a certain way – to share photos of your product packaging on social media, even. Basically, we’re saying your organic dog treats have influencer potential.
The route you take will depend on your business needs, design skills, and budget. Your best option could be a blank bag with a custom label, our Roastar Design Lab with its ready-to-use patterns and easy design tools that allow you to upload images and add text, or a fully custom-printed option with artwork that showcases your brand from all angles. Let’s dive into this last option below!
If you’re ready to go all-in on fully custom packaging (meaning you get complete control over material, size, and features), our online quote tool walks you through your options step-by-step based on your needs and the "look" you want to create. A free packaging quote gives our customers confidence that we’ll work well together – not just because the price is right, but thanks to our fast and easy quoting process.
We’ll ask all the important questions the instant they become relevant and never confuse you with jargon. We pride ourselves on being upfront about things like product minimums, quality and quantity tolerances, and other factors that will impact your order’s lead time.
Oh, before we get ahead of ourselves: in the previous installment of this series, we brought up Roastar sample packs. If you haven’t ordered one, we’re not sure what you’re waiting for – it’s awesome and free! Samples give you a great idea of how our packaging works with your product (and any other cool stuff you put in it, like pinecones or silverware). Alright, back to quotes!
Putting it all together.
Once you know the type of packaging you’re interested in, select your preferred option in our quote tool. Step by step, the process goes something like this:
Pick Your Product
Bags, pouches, tin cans, paper tubes, coffee bag labels, beverage labels, and stickers are our current offerings. Each one breaks down into its own categories, mostly by shape or measurements. For cans, in particular, an important difference is whether we’ll print your design on the can itself or give it a label.
Quantity Matters
Order quantity, that is. Different products have different minimums: custom-printed gusset bags set this at 500, but stickers can come in batches as low as 100 and cans at just 50, depending on a few other details.
While not required for the quote, there are also artwork minimums you’ll want to be aware of. For example, the artwork minimum for our custom-printed gusset bags is just 100 units per design. That means that if you place an order for the minimum of 500, you’re able to print five different designs with your order! (Five freshly roasted coffee blends, anyone?)
A quick note: If you use Roastar Design Lab, our MOQs drop even lower. Order as few as 1 tin can, 25 gusset bags, or 100 flat bottom bags. Plus, the material, size, and features are selected for you, so it’s one less thing to worry about!
The Right Stuff
When placing bag and pouch orders, material selection is super important. Some materials just aren’t built for highly acidic snacks or treats that need to stay frozen (a warning symbol will pop up for risky pairings).
After we get your bag’s material and your desired dimensions, we’ll offer the special features you might need—things like tin ties, degassing valves, and zippers.
Nice work! All your choices have added up to a custom-printed packaging quote! Please play around with the quote tool and consider what type of packaging makes the most sense for your business. Review the products and materials guide in our previous installment, which walks you through all our awesome material options and special features. That should help a bunch as you build the packaging of your dreams!
Templates, tolerances, and timelines – oh my.
Now that you have a quote, you’ll see something we call a “tolerance range” for our bags and pouches. To put it simply, printing hundreds or even thousands of items means that some won’t quite make the cut in terms of quality – or things could go better than expected, and some of your run’s “buffer” prints pass QA with flying colors. Though we aim to match your requested quantity, you may receive slightly more or less than this target number.
Your bill will reflect the actual quantity of your print run, so when reviewing your quote, please take into account the price range and be prepared when your order is produced. Note that tin cans, paper tubes, stickers, and labels are always produced in the exact quantity ordered.
To be clear, tolerances are just for our fully custom products. If your packaging journey takes your through our Roastar Design Lab instead, forget you ever heard about tolerances. If you order 25 gusset bags, you’ll get that exact number—no complexities there!
Now, let’s take a high-level look at everything that goes into a custom packaging order, so you can be prepared.
Pretty meets practical.
Custom-printed packaging relies on custom artwork files. We recommend that you or your designer downloads our artwork template and works from it in Adobe Illustrator as you develop your designs — and here’s a handy guide on key design specs, in case you’ll be handling that part internally. Don’t worry, we provide the exact template and artwork setup guide you’ll need once you finish your quote. We also endorse wonderful designers who’ve already done the Roastar rodeo! (If you look through our sample pack, you’ll see that they provided most of the designs! They also provided some great advice on logos and branding that’s worth a read.)
It's easy to submit your artwork files in your online Roastar account and to check on the status of your project. After your artwork gets approved, we do two rounds of proofs (digital, followed by physical) so you can confirm that everything looks amazing.
Our physical proofs are created with the exact equipment that produces your final order to ensure the most accurate color. Choose between a free flat-press proof or a formed proof for an additional fee. The physical proof isn’t technically mandatory, but considering that about 50% of our customers make some small tweaks after receiving one, we think it’s a smart choice.
It won’t be long now!
Nice work — you have all your artwork approved and are ready to place that custom-printed packaging order! Roastar’s production lead times are measured in days, not weeks, and updated regularly. Taken together with design, art approval, proofing rounds, and shipping, you can expect to go from learning who we are to custom packaging on your doorstep in about four weeks. That’s how long just the shipping part takes if you place your order overseas — or with some of our competitors.
Some respect on blank packaging’s name.
To be perfectly fair, although our low minimums help to accommodate those just starting out, we understand that custom-printed packaging can be an investment. If you’re not quite ready, or need something in a pinch, we also offer high-quality blank packaging that’s in stock and guaranteed ready to ship, reducing cost and cutting total lead times to just days. Whether you’re sending ingredients to a warehouse, shopping for a reliable bag tape, or just a fan of elegant simplicity, we’ve got you covered!
If you’re still looking for a bit of customization, we also offer custom-printed coffee bag labels. All you have to do is hand-apply the labels to your blank bags! Now, if you wanted some ways to promote your brand in the wild, look no further than custom stickers. Roastar’s stickers can be cut to nearly any shape you need, ranging from roughly marshmallow-sized to up to a square foot.
Go ahead, get inspired.
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That's a wrap.
There you have it: getting a Roastar packaging quote, demystified. The next installment of our 101 series will cover our artwork process, but before you move on, you’re cordially invited to join our newsletter (unless you already have, in which case you’re the best).
For the sake of your time and your inbox, we only share the choicest packaging tips, product updates, offers, and customer stories – and the occasional packaging meme. Sign up here!
Click here to read part four of our Packaging 101 series on Art & Templates. Still have questions? We’re always here to answer your lingering questions and help make the packaging process easier!