Q:   I am a shareware or independent software author,
      why is it important for me to have boxes made?
Q:  What does this cost?
Q:  What size box should I get?  
Q:  What does a box typically contain? 
Q:  What will I need in the way of Artwork?
Q:  What file format will my artwork need to be?
Q:  Are templates available for your artwork?
Q:  Should I make a small or large quantity?
Q:  I need help with my artwork, can you refer me to someone?
Q:  How much does SwiftCD charge to do fulfillment of these boxes?
Q:  Do you offer shrink-wrapping of boxes?
Q:  Can I get a UPC code for my boxes?
Q:  Do you only offer this one sized box?
Q:  How long does it take to get my boxes?
Q:  I want CDs made to go into the boxes, what are my options?
Q:  Can you help me get these boxes into a retail store?
Q:  Can you fulfill a manual with the box?

Q:   I am a shareware or independent software author, why is it important for me to have boxes made?
A:   Using our SwiftCD service, you'll be able to now offer real retail boxes from your site and have us ship them to-order. Some buyers and visitors to your site will feel more comfortable, that your software and company are somehow 'more legitimate' because you have retail packaging available. Real boxes are also ideal for sending to press and reviewers, as well as for handing out at trade shows, to potential buyers and distributors. And if you're looking to get into retail you'll want to have some boxes available to show, retail is a very competitive business so having your software in the box tells the distributors and buyers that you're serious, successful and have a well established product.

Q:  What does this cost?
A:  We partner with several publishers and will help you work with them to determine the best possible pricing.  There are many options (quantity, size, thickness, inserts, etc.)
that affect price when creating retail boxes.  A good rule of thumb is plan to spend approximately $3000 for 1,000 boxes (1,000 will be the minimum).

Other fees related to fulfillment of boxes, etc. are here.

Q:  What size box should I get?
A: Our printing partners can create nearly any sized box, however usually software goes in a 'large format box' (typically  around 7 7/8" x 1 1/2" x 9 1/2") or the new smaller format boxes you see in many of the retail stores.

Q:  What does a box typically contain? 
A: You'll probably want a corrugated liner which serves a dual purpose. It  strengthens the box for shipping & handling purposes and it has a 'cut out' capable of holding a CD in a sleeve or a jewel case, clamshell or double-jewel case. The box can instead hold a DVD case but the DVD case would not be supported by the liner, it will be 'floating' in the box. We can also include manuals or other items in your box.

Q:  What will I need in the way of Artwork?
A:  Varies a little from printer to printer, but you can view our Artwork Guidelines document.  Templates are also available, but only for the larger sized software box we mentioned above.

Q:  What file format will my artwork need to be?
A:  Most printers accept:

Adobe PhotoShop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe PageMaker, Adobe Acrobat, Macromedia Freehand, Quark Express.  For specifics, please see the Artwork Guidelines.

BOX ARTWORK IS A VERY SPECIALIZED SKILL, UNLESS YOU ARE EXPERIENCED IN CREATING THIS TYPE OF ARTWORK WE SUGGEST YOU USE AN EXPERT, WE CAN REFER YOU TO A REASONABLY PRICED GRAPHICS COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN THIS TYPE OF WORK.

Q:  Should I make a small or large quantity?
A:  Any quantity can be made, but boxe prices do get substantially cheaper for larger quantities. For example, 20,000 boxes is much less per box than 1000 boxes (but obviously still a much larger outlay of cash up front).  If you want to work on specific pricing for your box, contact us and we'll help you get started.

Q:  I need help with my artwork, can you refer me to someone?
A:  Yes, we have several experienced box designers we can refer you to. Please contact us for details.

Q:  How much does SwiftCD charge to do fulfillment of these boxes?
A:  At SwiftCD we treat your box essentially like a mailer.

When we fulfill an on-demand CD in conjunction with a box, there is no additional fee for us to assemble your box & CD and pack the box into a box mailer. Keep in mind boxes require a larger mailer and, because they weigh more, will cost a little more in postage.

When we fulfill a box with a CD/DVD you provide (as opposed to us manufacturing your CD/DVD on-demand, we have a $4 fulfillment fee. So, for example, if you send us 500 CDs and we make 500 boxes for you, for $4 we will store your boxes and CDs, handle orders, assemble and fulfill your package. This price includes everything (even the box mailers) except postage.

Q:  Do you offer shrink-wrapping of boxes?
A:  Yes.  You can have your boxes shrink-wrapped at the time they are made, of if we will be assembling/inserting items on-demand we can shrink-wrap at the time of order, but there is a $1 per box surcharge for this service. 

Q:  Can I get a UPC code for my boxes?
A:  We can issue you a UPC code to include with your artwork (so that it is printed onto the box). For details on getting a UPC code from us, for only $49, please visit this page on our SwiftCD site:

http://www.swiftcd.com/FAQ/#UPC

Note: You must first sign up for a SwiftCD account, which can be done from the link above.

Q:  How long does it take to get my boxes?
A:  From the time your proof is accepted, typically a printer takes 3-6 weeks for your final product to be in stock and ready for fulfillment. 

Q:  I want CDs made to go into the boxes, what are my options?
A:  Normally we suggest using our on-demand SwiftCD service for this. Each time an order takes place, we manufacture a CD, assemble your box, pack and ship on your behalf. No sign-up fees, no setup fees, no minimum quantities. So you don't have to come out of pocket to have CDs 'ready to go', and because the CDs are manufactured on-demand you can change your CD contents at any time and even include dynamic information on each CD.

If you prefer to pay up front and have a quantity of static CDs manufactured in conjunction with your box, we can still handle the order taking, assembly (Box + CD packing) and shipping for our standard box fulfillment fee.

In conjunction with a box order only, we can offer you these CD manufacturing options:

1000 CDs, silk screen color label, replicated - $995.

Note: Price does not include any type of packaging, contact us for a specific quote based on your requirements.

Both prices are all-inclusive unless you need graphics services, for which we can refer you to an expert. As with the boxes, if you want any portion of the boxes or CDs shipped to you, all you pay is the actual shipping.

If you wish to take advantage of the CD specials above, we can provide you with the details once your box order has been placed. You will need to signup at SwiftCD for any CD manufacturing (on-demand or in bulk as above), you can do this here:

http://www.swiftcd.com/signup.asp

When you design your package at SwiftCD, you will have a choice of sleeve, jewel case, DVD case, or clamshell. If you would like us to fulfill your on-demand orders with your SwiftBoxes package, simply specify your retail box as a packaging alternative.

Q:   Can you help me get these boxes into a retail store?
A:   We're primarily a manufacturing and fulfillment company, we can warehouse and take/ship order for you but we don't work within the retail industry to promote or place your products.

Q:   Can you fulfill a manual with the box?
A:   Yes, SwiftCD has a manual program and manuals we create can be placed, at no extra charge, into your box with each order.

Copyright 2004 DigitalSwift.   All rights reserved.    Send inquiries to SwiftBoxes.