Why are cardboard display racks so cheap?
By Shenzhen Topwon Group Co.,Ltd
Jun 04, 2025
First of all, let me address everyone’s concerns: cardboard display stands are indeed very affordable! Why am I so certain? Topwon, a company based in China, has been in the corrugated cardboard display stand industry for over a decade. Let me share some insights on corrugated cardboard pricing with you:
Cardboard display stands are widely used in supermarkets and retail stores across Europe and the United States. In recent years, an increasing number of businesses in China have also begun adopting them. The advantages of cardboard display stands over traditional metal or wooden stands are well-known, so I won’t elaborate further here. Regarding some customers’ concerns about the price of cardboard display stands, I can explain further here:
Are cardboard shelves really cheap? It’s undeniable that cardboard shelves are more economical compared to metal or wooden shelves, but this is based on the premise of large order quantities. If the quantity is small—for example, only a few dozen stands—then the price advantage of cardboard shelves over metal or wooden shelves becomes less apparent.
Actually, the main factors affecting the price of cardboard display stands are as follows:
Cost of printing cardboard
The cost of printing cardboard (each set of prints requires an additional 250 sheets for machine setup, which is a fixed number. For example, printing 100 sets requires 100 + 250 sheets of cardboard, and printing 500 sets requires 500 + 250 sheets of cardboard). Therefore, 250 is a fixed number, and the printing quantity ranges from 100 to 500, the cardboard waste remains the same.
Printing machine setup fees
Printing machine setup fees. Printing machine setup fees are charged in two tiers based on the size of the cardboard: (1000 x 700) for half-size and 1200 x 1580 for full-size. For print runs of 1000 or fewer, the setup fee is fixed, meaning the setup fee for printing 1 sheet is the same as for printing 1000 sheets.
Post-processing setup fees
Post-processing setup fees for die-cutting, laminating, and adhesive application are also largely fixed. The cost for producing 100 sets is the same as for 500 sets. This results in larger quantities being significantly cheaper than smaller quantities.
Now that I’ve explained it, you should understand. Larger quantities are cheaper, while smaller quantities are slightly more expensive. However, compared to traditional metal or wooden display stands, our cardboard display stands are still very economical and practical. After all, not all display stands can offer the same combination of quality and affordability while also serving as silent sales promoters in retail spaces. We simply stand there, outshining the neighboring shops that are shouting their promotions! Lower prices, better service, and better results—isn’t that worth it?
In summary, corrugated cardboard display stands are cost-effective, but this is contingent upon sufficient demand, as most are customized based on the specific needs of the retailer. Now you should understand why cardboard display stands are both affordable and practical, and also serve an automatic promotional function.