# Carton Quote Margin Calculator

> 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.

Category: Manufacturing & packaging · Applies to: Worldwide · Last updated: 2026-10-29
Interactive calculator: https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-quote-margin-calculator

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.

## Inputs
- Production cost per unit (default 0.84)
- One-off costs charged in the price (plates, dies) (default 300; optional)
- Order quantity (default 5000)
- Target margin on price (unit %; default 25)
- Currency

## Results
- Quote price per unit
- Full cost per unit
- Order value
- Profit on the order
- Equivalent markup on cost

## Formula

```
Full cost = Unit cost + One-off costs ÷ Quantity;  Price = Full cost ÷ (1 − Margin%);  Markup = Price ÷ Full cost − 1
```

Where:
- Margin%: profit as a share of the selling price

## Worked example
1. One-off costs per unit = 300 ÷ 5000 = 0.06, so full cost = 0.90.
2. Price = 0.90 ÷ (1 − 0.25) = 1.20.
3. 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.

## What the result means

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 and limits
- Margin is measured on the selling price before tax.
- Freight, payment terms and taxes are not included.

## Questions

### Why not multiply cost by 1.25?

That gives a 25% markup, which is only a 20% margin. Dividing by 0.75 gives a true 25% margin.

### Should plates and dies be in the unit price?

Either way works. Many converters charge tooling once, separately, so repeat orders are not overcharged.

## Related calculators
- [Carton Production Cost Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-production-cost-calculator)
- [Packaging MOQ Break-Even Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/packaging-moq-break-even-calculator)
- [Profit Margin Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/profit-margin-calculator)
- [Markup Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/markup-calculator)
- [Margin Calculator](https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/margin-calculator)

Source: GM¹X CalcVerse — https://calculators.geekmidst.com/calculators/carton-quote-margin-calculator