{
    "name": "Carton Quote Margin Calculator",
    "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-quote-margin-calculator",
    "markdown": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-quote-margin-calculator.md",
    "category": "Manufacturing & packaging",
    "description": "Price a packaging order for a target margin: spread one-off plate and die costs over the quantity, then find the unit price, order value and profit.",
    "summary": "To earn a target margin on the selling price, divide the full cost by (1 − margin). One-off costs such as printing plates and cutting dies are spread over the order quantity first.",
    "also_called": [
        "Packaging quote calculator",
        "Price from margin calculator"
    ],
    "applies_to": "Worldwide",
    "last_updated": "2026-10-29",
    "computation": "Results are computed in the visitor’s browser on the HTML page. This API describes the calculator; it does not compute results.",
    "inputs": [
        {
            "name": "unit_cost",
            "label": "Production cost per unit",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "0.84"
        },
        {
            "name": "setup",
            "label": "One-off costs charged in the price (plates, dies)",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "300",
            "optional": true
        },
        {
            "name": "quantity",
            "label": "Order quantity",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "5000"
        },
        {
            "name": "margin",
            "label": "Target margin on price",
            "type": "number",
            "default": "25",
            "unit": "%"
        },
        {
            "name": "currency",
            "label": "Currency",
            "type": "currency",
            "default": "USD"
        }
    ],
    "outputs": [
        {
            "key": "unit_price",
            "label": "Quote price per unit",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "full_unit_cost",
            "label": "Full cost per unit",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "order_value",
            "label": "Order value",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "order_profit",
            "label": "Profit on the order",
            "format": "currency"
        },
        {
            "key": "markup",
            "label": "Equivalent markup on cost",
            "format": "percent"
        }
    ],
    "formula": {
        "text": "Full cost = Unit cost + One-off costs ÷ Quantity;  Price = Full cost ÷ (1 − Margin%);  Markup = Price ÷ Full cost − 1",
        "variables": {
            "Margin%": "profit as a share of the selling price"
        }
    },
    "worked_example": {
        "inputs": {
            "unit_cost": "0.84",
            "setup": "300",
            "quantity": "5000",
            "margin": "25",
            "currency": "USD"
        },
        "steps": [
            "One-off costs per unit = 300 ÷ 5000 = 0.06, so full cost = 0.90.",
            "Price = 0.90 ÷ (1 − 0.25) = 1.20.",
            "Order = 5000 × 1.20 = 6000; profit = 6000 − 4500 = 1500 (33.33% markup)."
        ],
        "result": "Quote 1.20 per carton: 6000 for 5000 cartons, earning 1500, a 25% margin."
    },
    "interpretation": "Small orders carry a large share of plate and die costs, so the unit price rises sharply below a few thousand units. Quote one-off costs separately if the customer will reorder.",
    "assumptions": [
        "Margin is measured on the selling price before tax."
    ],
    "limitations": [
        "Freight, payment terms and taxes are not included."
    ],
    "rules": null,
    "faqs": [
        {
            "question": "Why not multiply cost by 1.25?",
            "answer": "That gives a 25% markup, which is only a 20% margin. Dividing by 0.75 gives a true 25% margin."
        },
        {
            "question": "Should plates and dies be in the unit price?",
            "answer": "Either way works. Many converters charge tooling once, separately, so repeat orders are not overcharged."
        }
    ],
    "sources": [],
    "related": [
        {
            "name": "Carton Production Cost Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-production-cost-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Packaging MOQ Break-Even Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/packaging-moq-break-even-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Profit Margin Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/profit-margin-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Markup Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/markup-calculator"
        },
        {
            "name": "Margin Calculator",
            "url": "https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/margin-calculator"
        }
    ],
    "disclaimer": null,
    "publisher": "GM¹X CalcVerse"
}