What 250 custom mailer boxes really cost at 7 suppliers
We priced the same order at every supplier's own quote tool. For 250 printed 10 × 8 × 4 mailer boxes, the totals are $638 apart.
By Supply Run · prices checked Nov 2, 2026 · shipping not included
The short answer
- Cheapest full color: Packlane at $1,143 ($4.57 per box).
- Cheapest if a 1–2 color logo works: EcoEnclose at $995, including its $125 one-time plate fee.
- Most expensive: Packhelp at $1,633, which is also the best rated.
That's $638 for the same quantity of the same size of box. Most of it is the supplier, not the box.
Every quote, side by side
| Supplier | Total | Per box | Printing | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EcoEnclose | $995 | $3.98 | 1–2 color kraft | 4.5 / 5 (61) |
| Packlane | $1,143 | $4.57 | Full color | 3.5 / 5 (457) |
| UPrinting | $1,153 | $4.61 | Full color | 4.4 / 5 (3,328) |
| Arka | $1,223 | $4.89 | Full color | 3.7 / 5 (65) |
| Fantastapack | $1,445 | $5.78 | Full color | 2.1 / 5 (17) |
| Packhelp | $1,633 | $6.53 | Full color | 4.5 / 5 (2,373) |
Vistaprint doesn't sell this exact size online, so it's not in this table.
The cheapest supplier changes with the size
If you're hoping for one supplier that's always cheapest, there isn't one. Across the 10 sizes we track, 4 different suppliers have the lowest full-color price at 250 boxes.
| Size | Cheapest full color | Most expensive | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 × 3 × 1.5 | Arka $228 | Fantastapack $323 | $95 |
| 6 × 5 × 2.25 | Arka $450 | Fantastapack $600 | $150 |
| 6 × 4 × 3 | UPrinting $505 | Fantastapack $713 | $208 |
| 7 × 5 × 3 | Vistaprint $600 | Fantastapack $820 | $220 |
| 8 × 6 × 3 | Arka $690 | Fantastapack $928 | $238 |
| 12 × 9 × 2 | Arka $788 | Packhelp $1,195 | $408 |
| 9.5 × 7.75 × 4 | Vistaprint $809 | Fantastapack $1,395 | $586 |
| 10 × 8 × 4 | Packlane $1,143 | Packhelp $1,633 | $490 |
| 12 × 10 × 4 | Vistaprint $1,080 | Fantastapack $1,655 | $575 |
| 14 × 10 × 4 | Arka $1,413 | Packhelp $2,090 | $678 |
Why the same box costs so much more in some places
- Price isn't the same as quality. The best-rated supplier here, Packhelp (4.5 / 5 from 2,373 reviews), costs $490 more than the cheapest full-color option. Sometimes that's worth it; for a first run it often isn't.
- Print type changes everything. Full color on white board costs more than a 1–2 color logo on kraft. Decide which you need before comparing, or you'll compare the wrong things.
- One-time fees hide in small orders. A plate or setup fee barely matters at 1,000 boxes but adds real money at 100. We include fees in every total.
- Some suppliers only sell fixed amounts. You may not be able to order exactly 250; one sells 240 or 540 instead. Compare the price per box, not just the total.
How to pick without overthinking it
- Decide full color or simple logo first.
- Check whether a slightly smaller stock size fits. It's often noticeably cheaper, and cheaper to ship.
- Shortlist the two cheapest options with ratings you're comfortable with.
- Order a sample before a big run. Several suppliers sell a single box for testing.
- Look at the price breaks before you pick a quantity. Bigger isn't always cheaper per box.
Run your own numbers
Pick your size and quantity, see every supplier's total, and get an email if prices drop.
Compare mailer box prices