Where to Buy Subscription Boxes

You can buy monthly subscription boxes from many different sources, including online marketplaces, wholesale suppliers and custom packaging companies. But if you want to invest in subscription boxes, you must consider the bigger picture.

Subscription-based business models are a viable, sought-after niche market — the perfect combination of splurge and savvy. Many businesses, from nontoxic cleaning suppliers to sustainable meal kit brands, have jumped on this trend to be part of a fun, creative movement.

Are you planning to launch a new subscription box brand or expanding your current business to include a subscription box offering? Learn where to buy subscription boxes, plus factors you should consider before choosing a supplier.

5 Questions to Ask Before Buying Custom Subscription Boxes

If done correctly, your subscription box can enhance your customer experience, build brand loyalty and encourage social sharing. The visual branding should excite customers during the unboxing experience. Consider the following factors before buying custom subscription boxes from a supplier.

Printing capabilities: Does the manufacturer you’re considering have printing or design capabilities? When you take your subscription box from boring to branded, you set yourself apart. Remember that subscription boxes are repeat offers. You’re selling more than a product — you’re selling a brand. So, make it distinguishable and memorable.
Minimum quantity: Many box companies have a minimum order requirement. While this may work for many brands, space might be essential for others. Few suppliers have limits on minimum quantity. Of course, the larger the quantity, the lower the cost per box.
Lead time: Knowing the turnaround time will ensure you have boxes on hand if you have orders to fulfill. First impressions matter, including on-time deliveries.
Box strength: The weight rating or box strength is critical for two reasons. Firstly, it will indicate how much your full boxes will cost to ship to customers. Secondly, it will help you choose a box that’s durable enough to stand up to the weight you ship to keep products safe from potential damage.
Sample boxes: Durability and quality are vital for subscription box brands. Some manufacturers allow you to order free samples so you can do a dry run to evaluate suitability. 

Why Is Custom Subscription Box Packaging Important?

Custom subscription packaging helps your brand make a positive first impression. When consumers receive a personalized design, they’re more likely to pay close attention to your brand and remember how unwrapping your packaging makes them feel.

U.S. shoppers purchase subscription boxes to treat themselves to new products without shopping for them. Because surprise and charm are the primary drivers of the market, many businesses today must get customers to stop and notice their brand.

The Benefits of Custom-Printed Subscription Boxes 

There are several advantages of opting for custom-printed subscription boxes over plain mailer boxes. When you choose to customize your company’s subscription box packaging, you’re claiming complete authority over your box’s size, shape, color and design. A custom subscription box allows you to flaunt your company’s unique motto, logo or personalized message on the outside of the packaging. 

Here are some other benefits of custom subscription box packaging.

Enhanced visual appeal: Custom-printed subscription boxes and personalized box designs boost your product’s appeal. Excitement around your company’s packaging creates alluring online content for your brand. Social media continues to be one of the most significant channels for promoting subscription boxes, so you know you’re on the right track when your custom subscription box designs are Instagram-worthy. 
Helps build brand recall: Your designs must stand out among the many subscription box packages on the market. A custom option should accurately and uniquely reflect your brand.
Creates enjoyable customer experiences: What compels consumers to order a custom-printed subscription box rather than purchasing products in a store? They love the excitement of exploring what’s inside. Custom-printed subscription boxes create the ultimate unboxing experience — a thrill customers want to repeat.

Industries That Use Subscription Boxes

Various industries deliver curated experiences directly to consumers with subscription boxes.

Food and beverage: Some companies provide snacks or limited-edition items not available anywhere else, while coffee subscription boxes deliver specialty selections tailored to customer preferences. Other popular food subscription boxes send pre-portioned ingredients and recipes for home-cooked meals.
Beauty and personal care: Beauty subscription boxes from cosmetics and skin care services give monthly samples or full-sized products based on user profiles. Other companies may offer seasonal boxes with a mix of wellness products for customers to try.
Pet supplies: Pet shops may deliver monthly boxes with toys, treats and accessories added as little surprises.
Health and wellness: Customers with health and fitness goals may order monthly subscription boxes with personalized vitamin packs and workout gear or accessories.
Hobbies and crafts: Subscription boxes from this industry may be educational projects for children, adult crafts, curated art supplies, book selections for avid readers and even date activity ideas with snacks and drinks for couples.

Subscription Box Ideas

Here are innovative design tips for your brand.

Themed monthly boxes: Create box designs around specific themes that relate to your industry. Use vibrant colors and graphics to reflect the theme to create excitement and anticipation.
Seasonal surprise boxes: Offer boxes that change with the seasons. Incorporate seasonal motifs in the design, such as snowflakes for winter or flowers for spring.
DIY craft kits: Provide all the materials needed for a specific project. Design the box with instructions printed inside or on the lid, using engaging visuals to guide customers from start to finish.
Personalized boxes: Use variable printing technology that customizes each box with the customer’s name or tailored product selections.
Eco-friendly boxes: Create a subscription service focused on sustainable products, including eco-friendly packaging. Design the box using recycled materials and include messaging about sustainability, encouraging customers to recycle or reuse the packaging.
Add packaging inserts: Customers appreciate extra unexpected items in their packages. Packaging inserts add value and provide additional marketing opportunities for your brand.

Buy Custom Subscription Boxes From Bolt Boxes

As one of the world’s fastest box manufacturers, Bolt Boxes continually strives to help you elevate your brand. Use our easy-to-navigate online configurator to design your company’s subscription box packaging in a few easy steps. We offer a wide range of box styles, including custom-printed mailer boxes known as C-series, RSC standard mailing boxes and custom end-loading boxes. Enter your box’s exact length, width and depth dimensions into our online configurator and choose from our various printing options.

We have no minimum order requirement, so you can get the personalized subscription boxes you need — all in record time. Bolt Boxes is a member of the Fiber Box Association and is G7 Master Certified, meaning we have the expertise and resources to meet your needs.

Ready to get your subscription box business going? Use our online configurator to create your subscription boxes.