Display Stand Price Drivers: Size, Board, Print and Assembly

How much does a cardboard display stand cost? There is no fixed price list, because a display is built to your product, your store and your promotion. Four things move the price most: the size and structure, the board, the print, and the assembly. When you specify those four, plus quantity and packing, you get quotes you can actually compare.

• Floor displays, PDQ / shelf-ready trays, counter displays, dump bins, sidekick displays and header cards

• Own factory in Xiaolan, Zhongshan, since 2003: about 20,000 m², 128 people

• 4 offset presses: KBA Rapida 105-6+L, KBA Rapida 142-5+L (full sheet), Heidelberg CD102 (5-colour) and Roland 900 (4-colour, 1.6 m)

• FSC Chain of Custody certified (FSC-C157096); ONE (formerly GMI) certified

• MOQ from 500 pcs, depending on product and process

This guide is for brand owners and importers pricing a cardboard display for a launch or a seasonal promotion. It covers price only. For what to put in a display spec, see our counter display spec checklist; for printed boxes, see our color box cost drivers.

1. Size and structure

The display type sets most of the cost before anything is printed. A floor display with several shelves uses far more board than a counter display, and a dump bin or sidekick panel is built differently again. Within one type, the price follows the height, the footprint, the number of shelves or hooks, and whether there is a header card on top.

• Floor display: shelf or hook styles, big blanks and many parts

• PDQ / shelf-ready tray: small and simple

• Counter display: a compact unit for the checkout area

• Dump bin: an open bin for loose items

• Sidekick display: a narrow panel on the side of a shelf or endcap

A few millimetres in the footprint can also change how many parts fit on one sheet, so the sheet layout matters as much as the outside size. We draw display structures and dielines in AutoCAD, so we can suggest a layout that uses the sheet well.

What to send: the display type, the target height and footprint, the number of shelves or hooks, and the product size and weight.

2. Board and flute

A display has to stand up under the product for the whole promotion. Heavier products need stronger board, reinforced shelves and supports, and that adds material. Lighter products can use lighter board. The aim is the lightest board that still carries the load.

Board and flute are chosen for strength and for how the display ships; we confirm the choice on a white sample loaded with your product. FSC-certified board is available on request.

What to send: the weight per unit, the units per shelf, and any retailer requirement for the board.

3. Print and finishes

The print is what shoppers see, and coverage drives cost. Full-colour graphics on every panel cost more than a printed header with a plain base. Spot (Pantone) colours, flood coats and the number of printed parts all add to the run. Large display panels need big sheets; our KBA Rapida 142-5+L full-sheet press and 1.6 m Roland 900 can take large blanks.

Each finish adds a process step: lamination protects the graphics on the shop floor, and gloss or matt varnish changes the look. Some finishes need their own tooling. If a brand colour must match your boxes, say so: we are ONE (formerly GMI) certified for offset printing.

What to send: the artwork or a reference photo, the Pantone references, which panels are printed, and the finishes you want.

4. Assembly and packing

Assembly is easy to overlook in a quote. Every display is die-cut, and many parts are glued, folded or fitted with hooks. More parts and more gluing mean more work in the factory, or more work for the person setting up the display in the store.

Packing follows from that choice. Flat-pack displays are folded down and packed in cartons, which keeps freight lower but leaves set-up to the store. Pre-assembled or pre-loaded displays take more space and more handling, but arrive ready for the floor. Carton size, units per carton and pallet pattern all change the quote. We can deliver to your assembly factory in China, ship FOB, or arrange DDP; terms are confirmed per project.

What to send: flat-pack or assembled, who sets it up, packing requirements, and the delivery address or port.

5. Quantity and MOQ

The cutting die, printing plates and set-up are fixed costs spread over the run, so the unit price changes with quantity. Several SKUs or language versions on one structure can share the die, but each printed version needs its own plates. MOQ from 500 pcs, depending on product and process.

What to send: the quantity per version and the number of versions.

6. What to send for a comparable quote

• Display type: floor, PDQ tray, counter, dump bin or sidekick

• Height, footprint, and number of shelves or hooks

• Product size, weight and units per shelf

• Board preference, or let us suggest one

• Artwork or reference photo, Pantone references, finishes

• Flat-pack or assembled, and who sets it up

• Quantity per version and number of versions

• Delivery address or port, and packing requirements

Send every supplier the same written specification, and the quotes become comparable. For display types and options, see our cardboard display stands page. If you are also pricing gift packaging, see our rigid gift box price drivers. Factory visits are welcome; our guide to visiting a packaging factory in Zhongshan covers what to look at on the day.

FAQ

Q: How much does a cardboard display stand cost?

There is no fixed price. The price depends on the size and structure, board, print, assembly, quantity and packing. Send those details and we will quote your specification.

Q: Why do two suppliers quote different prices for the same display?

They usually quoted different specifications, for example a different board, print coverage or assembly. Send every supplier the same written specification so the quotes can be compared.

Q: Is a flat-pack display cheaper than a pre-assembled one?

Flat-pack usually costs less to ship, but the display has to be set up in the store. Pre-assembled displays take more space and handling. Tell us which you need and we will quote it.

Q: What is the MOQ for cardboard displays?

MOQ from 500 pcs, depending on product and process.

Q: Can we get a sample before the order?

Yes. Sample options depend on the display structure and print. Specs follow the written confirmation.

BOYA Printing (byprintings.com) is the English website of Zhongshan Boya Color Printing Co., Ltd., a packaging printer founded on 21 March 2003 in Xiaolan Town, Zhongshan, Guangdong. To verify our FSC certificate, go to search.fsc.org and search for the certificate code FSC-C157096. More about the company: About BOYA.

Pricing a cardboard display for your next promotion? Email denny@byprintings.com or call / WhatsApp +86 189 2812 5102. Address: No. 1-1, Maofeng 1st Road, North District, Xiaolan Town, Zhongshan City, Guangdong Province 528415, China. Contact us

Reviewed by Denny Mo. Last updated: 2026-10.