Die, Plate & Setup Fees in Packaging — Explained

The surprise on many packaging quotes is not the boxes – it is the setup fees. They hit hardest on a first or small run. This article explains what they are and how to avoid them, going deeper than the fees section of our main packaging cost guide.

What are die and plate fees?

• Die fee – the cost of the custom cutting die that shapes and creases your box.
• Plate fee – the cost of the printing plates for your artwork and colors.
• Setup fee – general charges to prepare and calibrate the job for press.

These are one-time tooling costs, but on a small run they can rival the cost of the boxes themselves.

Why printers charge them

Traditional offset and die-cutting genuinely require physical plates and dies, so many printers pass those costs through – which is why a small custom run can look expensive elsewhere.

How to avoid them

We charge no die, plate, or setup fees, and include free design and a free dieline. That is what makes a 100-box run affordable – see our low-MOQ guide and why brands choose us.

Get a quote with no setup fees

Tell us your product and we will quote it with no hidden tooling charges. Start with our cost guide, then request your free quote or contact our team.