Packaging design in Australia typically costs between $2,000 and $8,000 AUD per product for a standard project, rising to $8,000 to $25,000 or more for a full product range or premium packaging with custom structural work. The right number for your business depends on scope, materials, and how many products you’re designing for.
Key Takeaways
- A single product label or simple pack design starts from around $500 to $2,000 AUD
- Standard packaging design for one product typically runs $2,000 to $8,000 AUD
- A full product range with a consistent design system costs $8,000 to $18,000 AUD or more
- Printing and production are quoted separately from the design fee, always confirm this before you start
- Saga Designs offers packaging design for businesses across Melbourne and Australia, with pricing scaled to fit growing brands
Introduction
If you’ve started getting quotes for packaging design, you’ve probably noticed the numbers are all over the place. One agency quotes $800, another quotes $15,000, for what sounds like the same job.
That gap is real, and it comes down to scope, not guesswork. At Saga Designs, we work with product brands across Melbourne and Australia on everything from a single label refresh to a full range rebuild. This guide breaks down what packaging design actually costs in Australia in 2026 and what drives the price up or down.
How Much Does Packaging Design Cost in Australia?
Packaging design in Australia costs $2,000 to $8,000 AUD for a standard single-product project, based on current market pricing from established Australian design agencies.
According to TDS Australia, design costs range from $2,000 AUD for a single product label to $8,000 or more for a complete packaging system across a product line. Melbourne agency Truly Deely quotes packaging concept design between $8,000 and $18,000 for a full range, with artwork for additional SKUs priced from $500 to $2,000 each.
These numbers cover the design work itself, not printing. Printing and manufacturing are almost always quoted separately by your printer or packaging supplier once the design is finalised.
What Are the Different Packaging Design Pricing Tiers?
Packaging design pricing in Australia generally falls into four tiers, based on scope and complexity, not on which agency you choose.
| Tier | What’s Included | Typical Cost (AUD) |
| Single Label or Simple Pack | One product, basic label or pack design | $500 – $2,000 |
| Standard Product Packaging | Full design for one product, including structure | $2,000 – $8,000 |
| Full Product Range | Consistent design system across multiple SKUs | $8,000 – $18,000 |
| Premium or Luxury Packaging | Custom structural engineering, special finishes | $8,000 – $25,000+ |
Most small and growing businesses land in the first two tiers. Brands with an established range, or those moving into major retail, more often sit in the third tier.
What Affects the Cost of Packaging Design?
The cost of packaging design depends mainly on how many products you’re designing for, how complex the structure is, and how many revision rounds are included.
A single flat label costs far less than a 3D structural pack with custom die-lines, foiling, or embossing. The more SKUs in your range, the more the price increases, though the cost per SKU usually drops once a design system is established for the first product.
Other factors that shift the price include the number of concept directions presented, how many rounds of feedback are included, whether 3D mockups are needed before printing, and whether the designer needs to coordinate directly with your printer on file specifications.
Regulatory compliance can also affect cost. Food and health products in Australia must meet labelling requirements under Food Standards Australia New Zealand guidelines, which adds time to the design process and can affect pricing for those categories specifically. Our guide to FMCG packaging design covers these requirements in more detail.
How Much Does a Single Product Label Cost?
A single product label or simple pack design in Australia typically costs between $500 and $2,000 AUD, depending on complexity and the number of concepts presented.
This tier suits businesses launching their first product or those who already have a brand identity and just need the packaging artwork created or refreshed. It usually includes one to two concept directions and a limited number of revision rounds.
What it doesn’t usually include is structural packaging design, the physical shape, dieline, or engineering of the pack itself. If your product needs a custom box, pouch, or container shape rather than a standard one, expect to move into the next pricing tier.
How Much Does Packaging for a Full Product Range Cost?
Designing packaging for a full product range in Australia costs $8,000 to $18,000 AUD, covering the design system and artwork across multiple SKUs.
This is where range consistency becomes the main cost driver. Designing one product is straightforward. Designing a system that works across five, ten, or twenty variants, while keeping every pack instantly recognisable as the same brand, takes considerably more planning and revision.
Once the core design system is established, additional SKUs are usually priced lower than the first, often between $500 and $2,000 each, since the heavy strategic work has already been done. This is one of the reasons working with one agency across a full range tends to cost less per product than commissioning each pack separately.
Does Packaging Design Cost Include Printing and Production?
No, packaging design cost does not include printing or production. These are quoted separately by your printer or packaging manufacturer once the design is finalised.
Design fees cover the creative and structural work, concepts, artwork, file preparation, and revisions. Production costs cover the physical printing, materials, and manufacturing, and these are priced per unit based on quantity, material, and finish.
It’s worth getting a rough production quote early in the process, since some structural or finish choices made during design, like foiling, embossing, or unusual materials, can significantly increase production costs later. A good packaging designer flags this during the design phase rather than after the artwork is finished.
Is Professional Packaging Design Worth the Investment?
Yes, professional packaging design is worth the investment for most product brands, based on the measurable impact it has on purchase decisions.
According to Ipsos research, 72% of Australian consumers say packaging design influences their purchase decision, and products with professionally designed packaging achieve 52% higher purchase intent at the point of sale compared to generic or template-based packaging.
For a product competing on a crowded shelf or in an eCommerce listing, that difference in purchase intent directly affects sales. The packaging design cost is usually recovered through stronger conversion rates, not treated as a sunk marketing expense.
How Long Does Packaging Design Take in Australia?
A standard packaging design project in Australia takes four to eight weeks from initial brief to print-ready files, depending on complexity and revision rounds.
Simple single-product projects move faster, often closer to three to four weeks. Full product ranges, or packaging requiring custom structural development, typically take longer, sometimes extending to ten or twelve weeks. Our guide to the packaging design process breaks down what happens at each stage, from brief to final artwork.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does packaging design cost for a small business in Australia?
Small businesses typically pay between $500 and $2,000 AUD for a single product label, or $2,000 to $8,000 for a complete packaging design including structure. The exact cost depends on how many concepts and revision rounds are included in the quote.
How much does it cost to design packaging?
The cost of packaging design depends on the project’s scope, complexity, required deliverables, and manufacturing process. A simple visual design costs much less than a full structural and visual package engineered for mass production and retail. In Australia, this typically ranges from $500 for a basic label to $25,000 or more for a premium, full-range project.
What is included in a packaging design quote?
A packaging design quote usually includes concept development, the chosen design refined into final artwork, file preparation for printing, and an agreed number of revision rounds. It does not usually include printing, manufacturing, or original photography unless specifically stated.
Does packaging design cost cover printing?
No. Packaging design cost covers the creative and file preparation work only. Printing and production are quoted separately by your printer or packaging manufacturer once the design is finalised and print-ready.
How much does FMCG packaging design cost compared to standard packaging?
FMCG packaging design often costs more than standard product packaging because it must meet stricter compliance and shelf-performance requirements. See our guide to FMCG packaging design for the specific considerations that affect pricing for fast-moving consumer goods sold through major retailers.
Can I get packaging design cheaper through freelance or crowdsourcing platforms?
Crowdsourced packaging concepts can be purchased for $300 to $1,000, but this approach carries real risk. You typically receive a flat design without the strategic process, structural expertise, or print-ready file preparation a professional agency provides, which can lead to costly reprints later.
How long does a packaging design project take from start to finish?
Most packaging design projects in Australia take four to eight weeks from brief to print-ready files. Simple single-product projects can move faster, while full product ranges or custom structural packaging usually take longer.
Does sustainable packaging cost more to design?
Sustainable packaging can add some upfront design cost, since it requires sourcing compliant materials and meeting APCO’s national packaging targets. Our guide to sustainable packaging design in Australia covers what’s involved and how to plan for it without blowing out your budget.
Conclusion
Packaging design cost in Australia ranges from $500 for a simple label to $25,000 or more for a premium, full-range project, with most small and growing businesses landing between $2,000 and $8,000 for a single product.
The right investment depends on how many products you’re designing for, how complex the structure is, and how much the packaging needs to do for your brand on shelf and online. Saga Designs works with product brands across Melbourne and Australia to create packaging that performs, scaled to fit your budget and stage of growth. Get in touch for a free quote based on your specific project.
