How much does packaging design cost in Malaysia?

Packaging design prices in Malaysia at a glance

Scope	Typical price	What you usually get
Freelancer or small studio, simple label	RM500 to RM5,000	One designer, a label or sleeve, print files
Single SKU, label or carton (agency)	RM2,000 to RM6,500	Concept, dieline, print-ready artwork
Multi-SKU range, 3 to 12 SKUs	RM5,000 to RM15,000	One design adapted across flavours, sizes or variants
Packaging system with brand identity	RM8,000 to RM20,000	Logo, colours, type and packaging designed together
Product photography (extra)	RM3,500 to RM12,000 per shoot	Pack shots for Shopee, Lazada and your website
Custom die (extra, paid to the printer)	RM80 to RM800 per die	The cutting tool for a non-standard box shape

These figures come from rates published by Malaysian studios in 2026. Walk Production publishes the single-SKU, multi-SKU, system and extra-cost bands above. Rebrand & Engage lists packages of RM2,500 for one SKU, RM6,500 for three and RM12,000 for six. CUBEevo starts at about RM3,000 per SKU, and Seji Design quotes a general range of RM500 to RM5,000. O2O Creative charges RM2,500 to RM6,500 per SKU.

Per SKU, multi-SKU or a packaging system

A SKU is one product variant: one flavour, one size or one scent. Most quotes are built around that unit, so count your SKUs before you ask for prices.

Per SKU. You have one product, or you are testing a single item before a wider launch. The designer creates the concept, fits it to the dieline from your printer and prepares the artwork.

Multi-SKU range. You have three to twelve variants that need to look like one family. The first SKU sets the system: layout, colour coding, typography and where each piece of label text sits. Each extra SKU adapts that system, which is why the price per SKU falls as the range grows.

Packaging system with brand identity. You are launching a new brand, or your logo and colours are not ready for packaging. The logo, colour palette, typefaces and packaging are designed together, so they work on a shelf, a Shopee listing and a delivery box. If you need the identity first, see our corporate identity service.

What drives the price

1. Number of SKUs. More variants means more artwork, more checking and more files, even when the system is shared.
2. Structure. A flat label or sleeve costs less than a folding carton. A custom box shape needs a new dieline and a custom die from the printer.
3. Label content. Food packaging carries the product name, ingredients, allergens, net weight, a nutrition panel and the maker’s address, often in Bahasa Malaysia, English and Chinese. Fitting all of it legibly takes design time. Our label requirements guide lists what Malaysian food labels must show.
4. Concepts and revisions. Three distinct directions cost more than one. Extra revision rounds beyond the quote typically cost RM500 to RM1,500 each, and rush jobs carry a 25% to 300% surcharge.
5. Mockups and printer liaison. 3D mockups, colour proofs and checking the printer’s proof before the run all add hours, and they prevent expensive reprints.
6. Photography. If you sell online, you need clean pack shots. A product shoot adds RM3,500 to RM12,000.

Costs that sit outside the design fee

The design fee pays for artwork. Budget separately for:

• Printing. Quoted by the printer and driven by quantity, material and finishes such as foil, spot UV or embossing.
• Custom dies. RM80 to RM800 per die, paid once per box shape.
• Product photography. RM3,500 to RM12,000 per shoot.
• Barcodes. Most retailers require GS1 barcodes, which you register with GS1 Malaysia, not with your designer.
• SST. Design services in Malaysia carry 8% SST. Check whether a quote includes it.

Freelancer or agency for packaging

A freelancer suits a simple label for a market stall, a pop-up or a first small batch. Expect one designer, one concept and print files, within the RM500 to RM5,000 band.

An agency suits products going into retail chains, export or a range of several SKUs. The higher fee covers research into the shelf you compete on, several concepts, dielines, label text layout in multiple languages and printer coordination. A mistake on a printed run of 5,000 boxes costs more than the difference in design fees.

How to get an accurate quote

Send the number of SKUs, the pack type (label, pouch, box or bottle), your printer’s dieline if you have one, the label text, the languages you need and where the product will be sold. With that, a designer can quote a fixed price instead of a range. You can send it through the quote form or see our product packaging service.