A packaging prototype is a mockup or an example of what your box packaging will look like before it goes into production department. A prototype is not fully functional and perhaps not technically perfect but it can be used to visualize the appearance of your final packaging. A packaging prototype will help you identify more specific changes to your packaging according to your business & product requirements.
A prototype of custom boxes will be finalized and you will be agreed to go forward with the packaging manufacturer to produce your custom packaging.
There’s a simple answer, for presentation purposes.
For example, you want to present a new product (with its full glorious packaging graphics) to some important business people, therefore you need a single unit of box packaging without spending unnecessarily.
To whom would you present your new product or an old product with a new branded packaging concept? They could be:
Technically speaking, a packaging prototype can be acquired from any packaging vendor or supplier, but not sure that they will create one you want to have.
A packaging company or manufacturer believes you to be a worthy customer with good financial returns for their efforts, then in this case Yes.
In most cases, they will produce you as many custom printed boxes as you need for your business and they will charge you for those prototypes afterward if you want them to go for the main production. Although there are some companies like Emenac Packaging, they will never charge you a single penny for designing a prototype (In 2D or 3D form) for you.
No doubt, some packaging companies are cautious about creating prototypes for anyone who wants one. That’s because it is expensive and time consuming for packaging manufacturer to make a prototype for the customer who may just accept the prototype and leave, not pay anything in return. A packaging vendor doesn’t make money from making prototypes, they make their money from the mass production of custom packaging.
So where you can be assured to get a comprehensive packaging prototype?
From a company that specializes in packaging manufacturing and supplying custom box packaging with a worthwhile experience in packaging industry.
Such companies exist in the market for the sole objective of getting you perfect custom box packaging that you could use for your products. Of course, you have to consider the cost of your required packaging for small or large run packaging productions. In the long run, you will get a certain discount & save more money instead of short-run orders.