Use this guide to make a clearer decision before you brief, order, or review a design project.
Packaging design is one of the highest-stakes design investments a product business makes. A strong pack sells on the shelf; a weak one costs you sales and expensive print re-runs. Here is an honest UK pricing guide for 2026.
What drives packaging design cost?
- Packaging type — A flat label is simpler than a box, which is simpler than a custom structural pack.
- Number of SKUs — One flavour in one size vs a range across formats multiplies the scope.
- Print method — Digital, flexo, or litho each have different artwork requirements.
- Regulatory content — Food, cosmetics, and supplement labels need compliant layout (allergens, INCI lists, nutrition panels).
- Revisions and file handover — Print-safe PDFs with bleed, dielines, and manufacturer-ready specs are non-negotiable for physical products.
UK packaging design price ranges (2026)
Single label or sleeve — from £600
Front and back label for one product. Includes concepts, revisions, and print-ready artwork. This is the entry point most food and cosmetics founders need.
Product range (3–6 SKUs) — £1,200–£2,400
A coherent label system across flavours or sizes. Designing as a system is cheaper per SKU than commissioning each pack independently.
Box or pouch on existing dieline — £900–£1,500
Graphic design applied to a printer-supplied template — mailer boxes, stand-up pouches, pillow bags.
Custom structural pack + design — £2,400+
Bespoke dimensions, folding structure, and full brand integration. Right for premium launches and retail listings.
Fiverr vs a UK studio — why the gap exists
A £50 marketplace label might look fine on screen. It often fails at print: wrong bleed, RGB instead of CMYK, missing dieline, illegible allergen text at shelf distance. One rejected print run can cost more than hiring a studio correctly the first time.
What a professional delivery includes
- Print-ready PDF with bleed and crop marks
- CMYK colour mode (and Pantone spots if required)
- Editable source files
- Manufacturer specification notes
- Revisions until you approve
See our packaging design service and price list, or get a fixed quote in under two minutes.
