Software Solutions for Box and Carton Sellers
A box is bought by its inside dimensions and its board. Stock sizes are sold like any item, but custom sizes and printed boxes need a quote that follows size, board, print and quantity. Sellers also have to cope with bulky freight and artwork that must be approved first.
Sell stock and made-to-size boxes with the dimensions priced and the lead time stated.
A buyer rarely asks for a box. They ask for one that fits a product of a given length, width and height, in a board that survives the courier.
That makes size the first thing every listing and every quote must get right.
Converters making to size
A box maker takes custom orders, prints on request and ships made-up or flat cartons.
Traders in stock cartons
A trader holds common sizes in several grades and sells them in bundles to small businesses.
Rigid and gift box makers
A maker produces premium boxes in small runs with print and inserts, where artwork approval is part of the sale.
The workflow for boxes.
- 1
Finding a size
The buyer searches by inside dimensions and board, and sees stock sizes that fit or an option to request a custom size.
- 2
Choosing board and print
Board grade and print are chosen, and the minimum order for each is shown.
- 3
Pricing a custom size
The buyer receives an indicative price from size, board, print and quantity, confirmed by staff.
- 4
Approving artwork
Artwork is uploaded, a proof is returned and the job is released only after approval.
- 5
Dispatching bulky cartons
Cartons are packed flat or made up, and freight is worked from volume.
The challenges, and what they cost.
What is specific to this trade.
These are requirements we would confirm in discovery. They describe what the solution may need to handle. They are not features that already exist.
- Dimension fields: inside or outside measure, and the units used
- Board grades, ply and the style each size is made in
- Minimum quantities, tooling charges and price breaks
- How freight is worked out for cartons that ship flat or made up
What we would build for boxes.
Chosen from the commerce capabilities this business needs, not a list of everything.
Who works in the system, and what each can do.
What it would connect to.
An integration is confirmed only after its API, access and scope are checked. A connection that updates on a schedule is described as scheduled, not real-time.
- The production or ERP system that plans the factory, if it has an import interface
- A transport booking service for bulky consignments
- Your accounting package for invoices and advances
How the work runs, and what we need from you.
What you provide
- Your stock sizes with board and price
- Your costing sheet for custom sizes
- Your artwork approval steps today
Fix the size fields
Dimensions are structured before anything else, because search, quotes and freight all depend on them.
Test the formula on past jobs
Your costing is run against last year’s quotes to see where the configurator and your staff disagree.
What you receive.
- A size-searchable catalogue
- A custom quote configurator
- Artwork approval flow
- Training for quotation and pre-press staff
How progress is judged.
Measures are agreed against your own baseline. We do not promise a result in advance.
- Quotes that needed a manual change
- Jobs printed from an unapproved version
- Freight disputes on bulky orders
Selling at home and abroad.
Buyers abroad give sizes in inches, and many ship in bulk by sea. Volume weight, palletising and the paperwork for packaging imports are decided by your carrier and adviser, and the catalogue holds both unit systems.
The wider requirements for packaging supplies are on the Packaging Supplies page.
Related subcategories.
Box Packaging E-commerce & Custom Quote Software
Custom software solution
A configurator that turns size, board, print and quantity into a quote and lead time is written for each box maker, because every converter prices differently. Dealer ordering for stock sizes can use the existing wholesale product.
Read about the softwareExisting GullySystem products that apply
Related services
Questions about boxes e-commerce.
Can it give a price instantly for any size?
An indicative price can appear at once. A binding price waits for your staff, who check feasibility and current board cost.
Can it check that the box will hold the product?
No. It records the dimensions the buyer gives. Fit and strength are the buyer’s and your own judgment.
Can stock cartons and custom boxes share one store?
Yes. A buyer who finds no stock size is offered a custom request on the same page.
Talk through your commerce requirement.
Describe what you sell, where you sell it and what is slowing you down. An engineer will reply within one business day.
- No obligation
- A reply within one business day
- Your details stay private