5 Things to Know Before Your Next Packaging Order
Ordering packaging for your business isn’t just a box-ticking exercise — it’s a key decision that impacts your brand, budget, and customer experience. Whether you’re a café ordering custom coffee cups, a festival food vendor sourcing biodegradable containers, or an e-commerce store shipping nationwide, knowing what to look for before hitting “confirm” can save you time, money, and headaches. Here are five essential tips to make sure your next packaging order is smooth, cost-effective, and perfectly suited to your needs.
1. Know Your Packaging Purpose
Photo: Bluey's World Aqueous Cups
Before you order, get crystal clear on what your packaging needs to achieve. Is it for hot food service at an outdoor event? Is it to protect fragile products during Uber or Door Dash deliveries, or long-haul shipping? Or is it about creating an unforgettable unboxing experience for your customers? Think of Bluey’s Meal Boxes or Grilled’s Happy Meal. The purpose determines everything — from materials to size to custom printing. Skipping this step often leads to wasted stock or unsuitable packaging.
Think about:
- Product type: Hot, cold, fragile, perishable, or heavy items.
- Function: Food service, delivery, takeaway, or retail display.
- Branding: Plain vs. custom-printed packaging.
- Sustainability: Compostable, recyclable, or reusable options.
- Regulations: Food safety standards and compliance.
TIP: Write down your packaging’s top 3 priorities before you start browsing suppliers. This will help you choose packaging that works for your exact use case. |
2. Choose The Budget That Works For You
Photo: Steve setting up customised branding for Gelato Cups at Pronto Packaging HQ, Eagle Farm, Brisbane
Before moving forward, it’s important to decide how much you’re prepared to invest in rebranding or branding for your new business venture. Even branding just a few items can quickly add up to tens of thousands of dollars. By setting a clear budget from the start, it becomes much easier for us to guide you and begin developing a brand that truly represents your business in the marketplace.
TIP: Think about what’s going to make your food business stand out. If your hero product is a bagel, a bánh mì, or even a doughnut item, that’s where you should invest your branded packaging budget. The right custom food packaging not only highlights your best-selling product but also helps build brand recognition and customer loyalty. |
3. Get Your Size Right
Photo: Aqueous Cups - All Sizes - 90mm Hot Cups
This is a crucial step that not only reflects the type of business you are—whether you’re offering big value options or positioning yourself as a specialty, great-tasting vendor—but also directly impacts your food and drink costings, which contribute to your bottom line. At the end of the day, we’re all in business to make a profit and create a lifestyle that reflects the food we serve.
Key things to consider include:
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Dimensions – does the size represent your brand?
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Portion control – keeping consistency in servings.
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Packaging fit – will it fit securely in delivery options, such as an Uber Eats bag?
TIP: Ask your supplier for size samples before bulk ordering. It's the fastest way to avoid expensive mistakes.If you need samples, we can do them! Visit our showroom or see our sales team to enquire. |
Get your Aqueous Sample Pack Here!
4. Think Branding & Printing Early
Photo Left to Right: Bella & Tortie - Non Woven Polyprop Bag | Village Market - Jute Bags
Your packaging is often the first thing customers see, especially at markets, food festivals, and during home deliveries. If you want custom printed packaging, plan for the design process early — printing can take longer than expected, especially in peak seasons. Don’t leave it till the last minute or near the Christmas rush!
Branding considerations:
- Colour accuracy: Ensure your logo looks right on the chosen material.
- Print type: Digital, offset, or screen printing.
- Lead time: Custom print runs can take 12–14 weeks from art approval.
- MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): Plan your stock levels accordingly.
Branding Consistency: Keep fonts, colours, and messaging aligned with your brand.
TIP: Invest in a simple, timeless design that works year-round — it’ll save you from reordering seasonal stock. Canva can only do so much and isn’t the recommended choice. If you have internal graphic designers, or can hire a packaging graphic designer, it would cut your time and headaches in half! Printers will also have internal graphic designers or have specifications on their website to give you a rough idea of the outcome. |
5. Choose the Right Materials
Consider sustainable packaging eco-friendly
Photo: Brown Kraft Cardboard Enviroboard at display room
Not all packaging materials are created equal. The right choice depends on your product, budget, and sustainability goals. In Australia, more hospitality businesses and vendors are moving towards eco-friendly packaging — not just because customers demand it, but because it can boost your brand image.
Popular materials:
- Paperboard / Cardboard: Lightweight, recyclable, great for dry goods and branding.
- Aqueous-coated cups and lids: Compostable and perfect for hot drinks. Breaks down in 90 Days.
- Bagasse & PLA: Plant-based and eco-friendly for food caterers, event planners and local boutique Grocers.
- Plastic (PET or PP): Durable for cold drinks or salads, still recyclable.
Foil-lined options and Smooth-wall trays: Best for heat retention.
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Tip: If you’re serving food at festivals or public events, check the local council rules — some ban certain plastics and non-compostable materials. Ensure to also consider and keep up to date with Australian state laws on packaging or check what your competitors are using! |
Final Takeaway:
Photo: Takeaway Carry Cups Boxes (click on the photo to enquire)
The more prepared you are before your next packaging order, the smoother the process will be. Think about your purpose, choose materials wisely, get sizing right, plan your branding, and never underestimate lead times. Your packaging isn’t just a container — it’s part of your customer experience, your brand, and your reputation.
Check out our FAQs to learn more about our packaging shipping process and payment options.
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