Kraft vs white mailer boxes: price and look
Kraft costs the same as white or a little less at every supplier we checked. The real differences are in how printing looks, which suppliers offer it, and how it fits your brand.
By Supply Run · prices checked Nov 2, 2026 · shipping not included
The short answer
- Price: pick on looks, not cost. Kraft is never more than a few percent different from white.
- Print: colors print darker and softer on brown board. Bold, simple logos look best; bright photos look muddy.
- Availability: not every supplier offers kraft, and some limit kraft to one ink color. Check before you design.
Kraft vs white, supplier by supplier
Average kraft price per box compared with the same white box, across every size and quantity we priced both.
| Supplier | Kraft vs white | Kraft printing |
|---|---|---|
| Packhelp | 6% less | Black only |
| Packlane | 1% less | Full color |
| Arka | 1% less | Full color |
| UPrinting | the same | Full color |
| Fantastapack | the same | Full color |
| EcoEnclose | Kraft only | 1–2 colors |
| Vistaprint | No kraft option | — |
Cheapest of each, by size
Lowest full-color price for 250 boxes. Kraft is cheaper at 3 of 10 sizes, but often because a different supplier wins, not because kraft itself costs less.
| Size | Cheapest white | Cheapest kraft |
|---|---|---|
| 5 × 3 × 1.5 | $228 Arka · $0.91/box | $228 Arka · $0.91/box |
| 6 × 5 × 2.25 | $450 Arka · $1.80/box | $450 Arka · $1.80/box |
| 6 × 4 × 3 | $505 UPrinting · $2.02/box | $505 UPrinting · $2.02/box |
| 7 × 5 × 3 | $600 Vistaprint · $2.50/box | $638 UPrinting · $2.55/box |
| 8 × 6 × 3 | $690 Arka · $2.76/box | $690 Arka · $2.76/box |
| 12 × 9 × 2 | $788 Arka · $3.15/box | $788 Arka · $3.15/box |
| 9.5 × 7.75 × 4 | $809 Vistaprint · $3.37/box | $838 Packlane · $3.35/box |
| 10 × 8 × 4 | $1,143 Packlane · $4.57/box | $1,125 Packlane · $4.50/box |
| 12 × 10 × 4 | $1,080 Vistaprint · $4.50/box | $1,130 Packlane · $4.52/box |
| 14 × 10 × 4 | $1,413 Arka · $5.65/box | $1,333 Arka · $5.33/box |
Choosing between them
- Choose kraft for a natural, handmade or eco look: candles, soap, coffee, plants, apparel with an earthy brand. It hides scuffs from shipping well.
- Choose white when color accuracy matters: bright brand colors, photos, full-coverage patterns, or a clean, modern look.
- Either way, ask for a printed sample. Ink on brown board is the hardest thing to judge from a screen.
Compare kraft and white for your size
Switch "Board color" in the comparison to see every supplier's kraft price.
Compare kraft mailer boxes