Tissue paper is an essential packaging material for many businesses. Plain white or colored tissue can look boring and doesn’t reflect your brand. Custom printed tissue paper makes a lasting impression and reinforces your brand identity. But is it worth the extra cost? In this comprehensive guide, we’ll examine the pros and cons of custom tissue paper so you can decide if it’s right for your business.
What is custom tissue paper?
Custom tissue paper is printed with your logo, brand colors, patterns or designs. It allows you to reinforce your branding and make your packaging stand out. Here are some examples of ways businesses can customize tissue paper:
- Print your company name or logo
- Use your brand’s signature colors and patterns
- Include promotional messages or marketing copy
- Feature seasonal or holiday designs
- Add graphics that complement your products
The printing options are virtually endless. Custom tissue can be personalized to match your products, brand aesthetic and target audience. The tissue itself comes in different sizes, colors, grammages (weights) and finishes like matte or glossy.
Benefits of custom tissue paper
Here are some of the key benefits that make custom tissue paper worth considering for many businesses:
Strengthens branding
Custom tissue paper is a powerful branding tool. Adding your logo and brand elements reinforces recognition and helps your packaging make a lasting impression.
Adds perceived value
Research shows custom tissue paper makes unboxing feel more special and luxurious. It increases the perceived value of your products and brand.
Improves unboxing experience
Plain tissue paper can look boring and deflate the excitement of opening a package. Custom tissue turns unboxing into an experience that delights customers.
Increases memories and engagement
Seeing your branding makes customers more likely to remember your business and share on social media. It boosts word-of-mouth marketing.
Allows gift personalization
For gifts and corporate swag, custom tissue allows the giver to add a personal touch with printed messages, photos or designs.
Provides upsell opportunities
You can offer custom tissue as an add-on option at checkout to increase order value.
Drawbacks and challenges of custom tissue
Despite the many benefits, custom tissue also comes with some potential drawbacks to consider:
Higher cost
Custom printing costs more than bulk buying plain tissue. Prices vary widely based on quantity and printing method. For small orders, expect to pay at least 2-3 times more per sheet compared to bulk plain tissue.
| Tissue Type | Price per Sheet |
|---|---|
| Plain white tissue | $0.02 – $0.05 |
| Custom printed tissue | $0.06 – $0.15 |
Minimum order quantities
Many custom tissue suppliers require large minimum orders of several thousand sheets due to setup costs. This may be impractical for small businesses with lower packaging volumes.
Lead times
Expect 3-4 weeks from order to delivery for custom tissue. Rush options usually come at a premium. This contrasts with plain tissue that can ship within days.
Waste from design changes
Ordering large quantities means you’re stuck using the same design for a long time. Any rebranding may lead to wasted obsolete tissue.
When does custom tissue make sense?
Weighing the pros and cons, custom printed tissue paper is best suited to these situations:
- Established brands sending large order volumes
- Products with premium positioning and high order values
- Businesses doing retail gift wrapping or selling gift baskets
- Selling into the corporate promo market
- Ecommerce brands that rely heavily on unboxing experiences
You can minimize the downsides by working with printers that offer lower minimums and quicker lead times. Start with small test orders to validate the impact on your customers before committing to large volumes.
Tissue paper printing methods compared
Understanding the printing options helps determine the right method for your business based on factors like order size, cost and quality.
Digital printing
Inkjet printers apply color directly to tissue sheets. This allows printing of full color photos, graphics and variable data.
Pros:
- Low minimum orders, often as low as 100 sheets
- Fast lead times of 7-10 days
- Low setup costs
- Variable data like unique codes or personalized messages
Cons:
- Higher cost per sheet for low quantities
- Ink can rub off or fade over time
Best for: Smaller orders, photos/graphics, personalization
Flexographic printing
Uses raised plates to transfer ink onto tissue. Limited to simpler spot colors and branding.
Pros:
- Cost effective for large orders – pennies per sheet
- Consistent, high quality color
Cons:
- High setup fees
- Long lead times of 3-4 weeks
- High minimums of 5,000+ sheets
Best for: High volume orders with simple designs
Offset printing
Transfers ink from printing plates to rubber blankets and then onto tissue. Used for detailed graphics and photos.
Pros:
- Photorealistic printing quality
- Cost effective for large orders
Cons:
- High minimums of 10,000+ sheets
- Setup fees over $1,000
- Long lead times of 4-6 weeks
Best for: Very large orders with high quality graphics
Thermal transfer printing
Uses a thermal print head to transfer color from ribbon onto tissue. Only spot colors are possible.
Pros:
- Lower minimums around 1,000 sheets
- Cost effective for medium sized orders
Cons:
- Limited to spot colors, no photorealistic prints
- Slow production speeds
Best for: Simple designs in medium quantities
How to design custom tissue paper
Follow these tips to create tissue paper designs that make an impact:
- Showcase your logo prominently
- Use your brand’s signature colors
- Include complementary graphics and textures
- Add promotional text sparingly
- Keep essential elements away from edges
- Follow bleed requirements for full printing
- Print a sample first to check quality
Also decide factors like glossy vs. matte finish, tissue weight and sheet size. Partnering with a knowledgeable tissue printer will help you design something memorable within the limitations of your budget and order size.
What does custom tissue paper cost?
Custom tissue paper printing costs are influenced by these key factors:
Minimum order quantity
The bigger your order, the lower your per sheet cost will be. Minimums can range from 100 sheets for digital printing up to 10,000+ sheets for offset printing.
Printing method
Simple spot color printing with flexography or thermal transfer is cheaper than full color digital inkjet printing, especially for large orders.
Customization level
Simple designs with just your logo or text cost less than full color photographic images. Variable data drives up the price.
Sheet size and thickness
Larger sheet sizes and heavier tissue weights usually have a small premium.
Add-ons
Optional extras like embossing, foil stamping or perfuming can increase the per sheet cost.
Here are typical tissue paper printing prices:
| Order Quantity | Printing Method | Price per Sheet |
|---|---|---|
| 100 sheets | Digital inkjet | $0.20 – $0.30 |
| 1,000 sheets | Thermal transfer | $0.12 – $0.18 |
| 5,000 sheets | Flexographic | $0.08 – $0.12 |
| 10,000+ sheets | Offset lithographic | $0.06 – $0.10 |
Remember to factor in any setup fees, which can range from $0 for digital printing up to $1,000+ for offset printing.
When to use custom tissue paper?
Here are common uses for custom printed tissue paper:
Retail packaging
Add branded tissue as filler when shipping purchases to customers. Include in gift boxes and bags.
Direct mail
Use as colorful packing material for mailed gifts, samples or promo items.
Wrapping paper
Offer custom tissue sheets for gift wrapping in stores. Or include sheets in product packaging for customers to wrap gifts.
Gift baskets and boxes
Line baskets and fill gift boxes with coordinating branded tissue paper.
Trade shows and events
Hand out custom printed tissues as memorable swag. Or use for wrapping giveaway items.
Corporate gifting
Elevate employee gifts and client presents with custom tissue paper packing.
Crafts and DIY
Sell custom tissue to crafters, florists and others for use in handmade projects.
Favor boxes
Add a pop of color and branding to small boxes of wedding or party favors.
Conclusion
Is custom tissue paper ultimately worth the extra investment? There are certainly compelling benefits in the right situations. It creates memorable unboxing experiences, drives social engagement and reinforces branding – especially for premium brands. But the higher costs, minimums and lead times may be impractical for some smaller businesses. Weigh your specific needs, budget and order volumes. In many cases, starting with small test orders is wise to validate the ROI before committing to large quantities. With the right partner and design approach, custom tissue paper can take your packaging to the next level.