"Just make it locally" is a phrase we hear a lot. Sometimes it's right. Often it isn't. Here's a honest, no-spin comparison using the same folding carton at 5,000 units.
The honest math
US local
~$1.20–$2.00 / pc · MOQ 250–1k · 2–4 week lead · easy communication, fast shipping, higher unit cost.
China (us)
~$0.55–$0.80 / pc landed · MOQ 500 · 12–15 day prod + freight · one design+print team.
What you actually save
On a 5,000-run carton, the unit gap is typically 40–60%. At 20,000+ units the gap widens further. For a DTC brand burning cash on inventory, that difference is real working capital.
What you DON'T save (the trade-offs)
- Lead time — China adds ocean freight (25–30 days) unless you air-freight (costs more).
- Communication — time-zone and language friction; mitigated by a single bilingual point of contact.
- Flexibility — last-minute changes are harder across an ocean.
- Minimums — very small test runs may favor local.
Rule of thumb: under ~500–1,000 units or need-it-in-a-week → local. Larger runs, repeat orders, cost-sensitive → China with a trusted partner.
The middle path most brands miss
You don't have to pick one forever. Many brands prototype and do tiny test runs locally, then move volume production to a China partner once the design is locked. That's exactly why we offer low MOQ (500) and deductible samples — so the jump isn't scary.
Not sure which is right?
Tell us your quantity, timeline and budget. We'll tell you honestly whether local or China (us or someone else) is the better fit.