How it works
Scroll to unfold the box. Each panel is one step.
Design a box- 1GoalGive it as a gift, sell it once or sell it every month. Every number follows from this.
- 2BrandAdd your name, category, logo and color. The box takes them straight away.
- 3BoxPick a mailer, a rigid box or a keepsake. Size follows what goes inside.
- 4ItemsEach item has its own price breaks and minimum. Your own products can go in too.
- 5Ship toEnter a ZIP, pick a state, spread across the US, or go international.
- 6EconomicsOn a sale, see why this price and worst, base and best. On a gift this step is Budget.
- 7SummaryThe box seals, the label prints, and you can ask for a real quote.
Three ways to use a box
Give as a gift
You pay for every box. No money comes back: the box is the gift. Pick this for clients, teams or donors.
Price a giftSell once
Buyers pay you one time. You keep the price less what the box costs. Pick this for a launch or a season.
Price a box to sellSell every month
Subscribers pay you monthly. You keep what is left after each box. Pick this if fans will stay for months.
Price a monthly box
Rules in the tool
- Show the gain first
- Pay and unbox stay on screen. Under 2x the price, the Items step says so.
- Keep the box
- Keepsake boxes add to the buyer's value. Mailers get a prompt to move up.
- Use one base box
- Subscriptions can order one box for all editions at a lower unit price.
- Ship on one calendar
- Editions ship in the same week each month, so each runs as one batch.
- Start at the entry price
- Official product is marked Top tier, with the entry price you could reach without it.
- Name a cause
- A charity share has its own control, and its own line in the split.
- Pay everyone
- The split shows what the buyer, makers, carriers, cause and brand each get.
How the numbers work
- Item unit cost
- floor + (base - floor) x (minimum / break) ^ k, at the highest break the order reaches. Each item has its own values
- Minimum order
- Under an item's minimum you pay for the minimum, and the extra shows as its own line
- Customization
- Per-unit add-on that falls with volume, plus a setup fee, plus a value lift
- Setup share
- Artwork, box setup and item setup, divided by boxes. Collectibles pay for new art each edition
- Box size
- Item volume divided by 0.7 picks the smallest size that fits, unless you pick one. Box cost and weight scale with it
- Billable weight
- The higher of actual weight and box volume divided by 150, rounded up to a pound
- Zone
- Straight-line miles from the hub to the state's center, in bands from 2 to 8. Alaska and Hawaii are 9
- Parcel shipping
- Zone base + zone rate x each pound after the first, less a carrier volume deal on bigger batches
- Bulk shipping
- Pallets x (pallet base + rate x miles), divided by boxes. Small orders ship as cartons
- Order type
- Sets fulfillment, address fees, card or invoice fees, deposit, and whether unsold stock is possible
- Sales tax
- Net price x the state's base rate. Collected on top, never counted as revenue
- Auto price
- The price that gives your target margin once every cost above is in, rounded up to a dollar
- Gross margin
- Revenue per box minus cost per box, setup share included
- Boxes to cover setup
- Setup divided by revenue per box less per-box costs, rounded up. It leaves out what the run itself cost
- Cash back
- Everything spent before the first sale, divided by what one sale brings in, rounded up
- Subscribers
- Nobody cancels inside the commitment. After it, each month keeps (1 - churn), then joiners are added
- Edition cost
- Each edition's batch is that month's active subscribers, so its item prices and shipping deal follow the batch
- Packing view
- Items are drawn to scale and shelf-packed in layers. If they will not fit, a bigger box is suggested, and box size feeds shipping
- Peak cash
- The lowest point of your cash balance, shown as a positive amount
Every estimate ESTIMATE
Prices are planning estimates, not supplier quotes or carrier rates. A real quote confirms them. Product images are AI illustrations, not photos of real stock.
Items
Swipe the table to see every column
| Item | Category | Minimum | At minimum | At 1,000 | Floor | Breaks | Retail | Setup | Weight | How it was set |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton tee | Apparel | 24 | $11.00 | $6.51 | $4.20 | 8 | $30 | $90 | 7 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Pullover hoodie | Apparel | 24 | $27.00 | $17.78 | $12.00 | 8 | $70 | $90 | 20 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Embroidered cap | Apparel | 48 | $11.50 | $6.91 | $4.60 | 7 | $32 | $60 | 4 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Knit beanie | Apparel | 48 | $9.00 | $5.41 | $3.60 | 7 | $26 | $60 | 3 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Crew socks | Apparel | 48 | $6.40 | $3.45 | $2.20 | 7 | $18 | $120 | 3 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Woven scarf | Apparel | 100 | $12.50 | $8.01 | $4.80 | 6 | $35 | $150 | 6 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Canvas tote | Apparel | 50 | $5.80 | $3.29 | $2.10 | 7 | $22 | $60 | 5 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Official team-grade top | Apparel | 50 | $38.00 | $29.31 | $20.00 | 6 | $110 | $200 | 9 oz | Licensed-grade product; higher cost reflects the better item. Judgment figure. |
| Ceramic mug | Drinkware | 36 | $6.40 | $3.68 | $2.40 | 8 | $20 | $60 | 16 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Insulated tumbler | Drinkware | 50 | $12.50 | $7.84 | $5.20 | 7 | $34 | $70 | 12 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Steel water bottle | Drinkware | 50 | $11.50 | $6.95 | $4.60 | 7 | $30 | $70 | 11 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Pint glass | Drinkware | 36 | $4.60 | $2.63 | $1.70 | 8 | $15 | $60 | 14 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Coaster set of 4 | Drinkware | 50 | $5.20 | $2.96 | $1.90 | 8 | $18 | $50 | 6 oz | Short-run digital print, curve shape by judgment. |
| Can cooler | Drinkware | 50 | $2.60 | $1.31 | $0.80 | 7 | $10 | $40 | 2 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Enamel pin | Collectibles | 100 | $2.80 | $1.49 | $0.80 | 7 | $12 | $120 | 1 oz | Custom mold item; setup covers the tooling. Curve shape by judgment. |
| Embroidered patch | Collectibles | 100 | $2.20 | $1.15 | $0.60 | 7 | $10 | $80 | 1 oz | Custom mold item; setup covers the tooling. Curve shape by judgment. |
| Metal keychain | Collectibles | 100 | $3.00 | $1.73 | $1.00 | 7 | $12 | $120 | 2 oz | Custom mold item; setup covers the tooling. Curve shape by judgment. |
| Numbered coin | Collectibles | 100 | $5.20 | $3.09 | $1.80 | 7 | $20 | $250 | 2 oz | Custom mold item; setup covers the tooling. Curve shape by judgment. |
| Trading card pack | Collectibles | 50 | $2.30 | $1.07 | $0.65 | 8 | $10 | $100 | 1 oz | Short-run digital print, curve shape by judgment. |
| Vinyl mini figure | Collectibles | 250 | $8.00 | $5.70 | $2.80 | 5 | $28 | $900 | 4 oz | Custom mold item; setup covers the tooling. Curve shape by judgment. |
| Felt pennant | Collectibles | 50 | $4.60 | $2.45 | $1.60 | 8 | $18 | $60 | 3 oz | Short-run digital print, curve shape by judgment. |
| Signed official print | Collectibles | 25 | $18.00 | $12.14 | $8.50 | 6 | $60 | $150 | 3 oz | Licensed-grade product; higher cost reflects the better item. Judgment figure. |
| Sticker sheet | Stationery | 50 | $1.40 | $0.60 | $0.35 | 8 | $6 | $30 | 1 oz | Short-run digital print, curve shape by judgment. |
| Lay-flat notebook | Stationery | 50 | $5.20 | $2.83 | $1.80 | 8 | $16 | $60 | 7 oz | Short-run digital print, curve shape by judgment. |
| Metal pen | Stationery | 100 | $2.30 | $1.28 | $0.70 | 5 | $9 | $40 | 1 oz | Blank garment or item, curve shape by judgment. |
| Art poster 18x24 | Stationery | 50 | $4.00 | $2.07 | $1.30 | 8 | $20 | $40 | 3 oz | Short-run digital print, curve shape by judgment. |
| Postcard set of 6 | Stationery | 50 | $2.50 | $1.22 | $0.75 | 8 | $10 | $30 | 2 oz | Short-run digital print, curve shape by judgment. |
| Wall calendar | Stationery | 50 | $5.80 | $3.22 | $2.10 | 8 | $18 | $60 | 8 oz | Short-run digital print, curve shape by judgment. |
| Coffee bag 8 oz | Food | 48 | $7.20 | $5.04 | $3.40 | 7 | $16 | $80 | 9 oz | Shelf-stable, private label, curve shape by judgment. |
| Chocolate bar | Food | 48 | $3.10 | $2.03 | $1.30 | 7 | $7 | $80 | 3 oz | Shelf-stable, private label, curve shape by judgment. |
| Hot sauce bottle | Food | 48 | $4.00 | $2.64 | $1.70 | 7 | $10 | $80 | 8 oz | Shelf-stable, private label, curve shape by judgment. |
| Snack mix pouch | Food | 48 | $2.90 | $1.89 | $1.20 | 7 | $7 | $80 | 5 oz | Shelf-stable, private label, curve shape by judgment. |
| Tea tin | Food | 48 | $4.70 | $3.10 | $2.00 | 7 | $13 | $80 | 4 oz | Shelf-stable, private label, curve shape by judgment. |
| Power bank 5,000 mAh | Tech | 100 | $11.50 | $8.36 | $5.20 | 5 | $30 | $60 | 6 oz | Import unit, curve shape by judgment. |
| Wireless earbuds | Tech | 100 | $15.00 | $11.20 | $7.00 | 5 | $40 | $60 | 3 oz | Import unit, curve shape by judgment. |
| Mini speaker | Tech | 100 | $14.00 | $10.39 | $6.40 | 5 | $36 | $60 | 8 oz | Import unit, curve shape by judgment. |
| Wireless charging pad | Tech | 100 | $8.00 | $5.76 | $3.50 | 5 | $24 | $60 | 4 oz | Import unit, curve shape by judgment. |
| $10 store voucher | Experience | 1 | $4.00 | $4.00 | $4.00 | 5 | $10 | $0 | 0.2 oz | Cost is the expected redemption cost, not face value. Judgment figure. |
| Members-only access pass | Experience | 1 | $1.00 | $0.33 | $0.25 | 5 | $15 | $40 | 0.2 oz | Printed card plus a digital perk you run yourself. Judgment figure. |
| Personal video message | Experience | 1 | $1.40 | $0.55 | $0.40 | 5 | $20 | $150 | 0.2 oz | QR card linking to one recorded video for all boxes. Judgment figure. |
| Meet-and-greet entry | Experience | 10 | $6.50 | $5.45 | $4.00 | 4 | $40 | $300 | 0.2 oz | Cost is the expected redemption cost, not face value. Judgment figure. |
Boxes, shipping, tax, fees and scenarios
Swipe the table to see every column
| Line | Figure | How it was set |
|---|---|---|
| Mailer box | $3.40 down toward $0.95, $350 setup | Printed corrugated mailer at size M. Judgment figure. |
| Rigid box | $9.00 down toward $3.10, $900 setup | Wrapped greyboard lid and base at size M. Judgment figure. |
| Premium keepsake box | $17.00 down toward $6.60, $2,400 setup | Magnetic closure, display insert, foil logo at size M. Judgment figure. |
| Size S | 9 x 7 x 3 in, cost x 0.8 | Fill rate and dimensional divisor are round judgment figures, not any carrier's published value. |
| Size M | 12 x 9 x 4 in, cost x 1 | Fill rate and dimensional divisor are round judgment figures, not any carrier's published value. |
| Size L | 14 x 11 x 6 in, cost x 1.4 | Fill rate and dimensional divisor are round judgment figures, not any carrier's published value. |
| Size XL | 18 x 14 x 8 in, cost x 2.1 | Fill rate and dimensional divisor are round judgment figures, not any carrier's published value. |
| Customization: Logo | $0.90 at 100, $45 setup, value +10% | One-position print or engrave. Judgment figure. |
| Customization: Numbered | $1.50 at 100, $90 setup, value +25% | Variable-data print. Judgment figure. |
| Customization: Named | $3.20 at 100, $120 setup, value +45% | One-by-one personalization. Judgment figure. |
| West hub | NV | Placeholder fulfillment point, not a real site. |
| Central hub | MO | Placeholder fulfillment point, not a real site. |
| East hub | PA | Placeholder fulfillment point, not a real site. |
| Zone 2 | $6.20 plus $0.42 a pound | Zone bands, rates and the volume deal are placeholder shapes set by judgment, not a carrier table. |
| Zone 3 | $6.70 plus $0.50 a pound | Zone bands, rates and the volume deal are placeholder shapes set by judgment, not a carrier table. |
| Zone 4 | $7.30 plus $0.62 a pound | Zone bands, rates and the volume deal are placeholder shapes set by judgment, not a carrier table. |
| Zone 5 | $8.00 plus $0.78 a pound | Zone bands, rates and the volume deal are placeholder shapes set by judgment, not a carrier table. |
| Zone 6 | $8.80 plus $0.95 a pound | Zone bands, rates and the volume deal are placeholder shapes set by judgment, not a carrier table. |
| Zone 7 | $9.60 plus $1.15 a pound | Zone bands, rates and the volume deal are placeholder shapes set by judgment, not a carrier table. |
| Zone 8 | $10.50 plus $1.40 a pound | Zone bands, rates and the volume deal are placeholder shapes set by judgment, not a carrier table. |
| Zone 9 | $16.00 plus $2.60 a pound | Zone bands, rates and the volume deal are placeholder shapes set by judgment, not a carrier table. |
| Pallet freight | $140 plus $0.16 a mile per pallet | One pallet price plus distance. Judgment figure. |
| Canada | $17.00 plus $2.40 a pound, 13% import tax | International rate and tax share are round planning figures by region. The buyer pays import tax on delivery. |
| Mexico | $19.00 plus $2.80 a pound, 16% import tax | International rate and tax share are round planning figures by region. The buyer pays import tax on delivery. |
| United Kingdom | $25.00 plus $4.00 a pound, 20% import tax | International rate and tax share are round planning figures by region. The buyer pays import tax on delivery. |
| European Union | $26.00 plus $4.20 a pound, 21% import tax | International rate and tax share are round planning figures by region. The buyer pays import tax on delivery. |
| South America | $28.00 plus $4.80 a pound, 25% import tax | International rate and tax share are round planning figures by region. The buyer pays import tax on delivery. |
| Asia Pacific | $29.00 plus $4.60 a pound, 12% import tax | International rate and tax share are round planning figures by region. The buyer pays import tax on delivery. |
| Brazil | $30.00 plus $5.00 a pound, 60% import tax | International rate and tax share are round planning figures by region. The buyer pays import tax on delivery. |
| State sales tax | By state | Rounded statewide base rate, before local tax, exemptions and nexus. Check before you rely on it. |
| Single item | Fulfillment x 0.7, $0.00 an address, 0% deposit | Lighter pick and pack. Judgment figure. |
| One-off box | Fulfillment x 1, $0.00 an address, 0% deposit | Standard pick and pack. Judgment figure. |
| Bulk gift | Fulfillment x 0.5, $0.00 an address, 50% deposit | Pack to carton, no parcel labels; invoice with a deposit. Judgment figure. |
| Drop-ship gift | Fulfillment x 1.1, $1.20 an address, 50% deposit | Address check and gift note on each parcel. Judgment figure. |
| Subscription | Fulfillment x 1, $0.00 an address, 0% deposit | Standard pick and pack per edition. Judgment figure. |
| 3-month commitment | 4% off | Discount steps set by judgment. |
| 6-month commitment | 7% off | Discount steps set by judgment. |
| 12-month commitment | 11% off | Discount steps set by judgment. |
| Card fee | 2.9% plus $0.30 | Card fee shape is a percent plus a fixed fee; invoices pay a lower bank fee. Judgment figures. |
| Invoice fee | 0.8% | Card fee shape is a percent plus a fixed fee; invoices pay a lower bank fee. Judgment figures. |
| Fulfillment | $3.20 at 500 boxes, plus $0.35 an item | Pick, pack and label. Falls slowly with volume, rises with pieces and box size. Judgment figure. |
| Artwork | $600 | Box artwork and one sample round. Judgment figure. |
| Margin target | 30% | Rule of thumb used by the prompts. Judgment figure. |
| Worst scenario | 70% of demand, costs up 15% | Stress range chosen by judgment. |
| Base scenario | Your plan as entered above | Stress range chosen by judgment. |
| Best scenario | 120% of demand, costs down 5% | Stress range chosen by judgment. |