What Salazar Packaging does

Salazar Packaging is a privately held, founder-owned custom packaging manufacturer founded in 2007 and headquartered at 434 Treasure Drive, Oswego, Illinois (Chicago area). The company designs and produces custom corrugated and paperboard packaging for direct-to-consumer e-commerce brands across the United States, with a product portfolio spanning regular slotted containers, die-cut mailer boxes, paperboard folding cartons, rigid setup boxes, paper and padded mailer envelopes, and custom internal protective packaging (die-cut inserts, dividers, partitions). Production is anchored in three printing processes — flexographic (water-based inks), digital, and litho labels — supported by an in-house inventory of over 200 cutting dies, ISTA 3A drop testing, FSC-certified material availability, and a Made-in-USA manufacturing stance.

The business operates a consultative, white-glove direct sales model rather than a transactional or self-serve motion: branded, non-commission packaging advisors and dedicated project managers run free 30-minute consultations and cost reduction analyses, framing pricing around total cost of ownership (inbound freight, storage, outbound shipping, labor, void fill, damage replacement) rather than unit price. Customers are primarily U.S. DTC e-commerce brands in beauty, personal care, baby products, food and beverage, pet products, cookware, eyewear, and subscription boxes, with thousands of customers served and millions of boxes produced annually. The company does not disclose revenue, has not raised outside funding, and operates with a small team (1-10 employees), suggesting a lean operating model where design and consultative services support a custom-manufacturing core.

Name

Salazar Packaging

Legal name

Salazar Packaging

Website

https://salazarpackaging.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Salazar Packaging is a U.S. custom corrugated and paperboard packaging manufacturer founded in 2007 that designs and produces mailers, boxes, rigid cartons, and internal protective packaging for direct-to-consumer e-commerce brands through a consultative direct sales model.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Custom Corrugated and Paperboard Packaging Manufacturing

NAICS

Paperboard Container Manufacturing (32221), Folding Paperboard Box Manufacturing (322212), Converted Paper Product Manufacturing (3222)

SIC

Paperboard Containers & Boxes (2650)

akta.pro primary industry

Corrugated Packaging & Boxes (RSC, die-cut, bulk bins) (IMAMAHAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Folding Cartons & Paperboard Packaging Converting (IMAMAHAB), Paper & Paperboard Packaging Converting & Finishing (Die-Cutting, Gluing, Windowing, Coating) (IMALACAL), Envelopes & Mailing Products (mailers, padded envelopes) (IMAMAHAD)

Keywords

• Custom packaging manufacturing
• Corrugated boxes
• E-commerce packaging
• Sustainable packaging
• Structural design services

Headquarters

HQ city

Oswego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Custom Packaging Products: One-time purchase of custom corrugated and paperboard packaging including boxes, mailers, envelopes, and internal packaging. No recurring subscription model. Customers order based on specific project needs with quantities typically ranging from hundreds to millions of units.
2. Design and Consulting Services: Structural and graphic design services, cost reduction consultation, and production oversight. These professional services support the packaging product sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Salazar Packaging manufactures and supplies custom corrugated and paperboard packaging products, including shipping boxes, mailers, envelopes, rigid boxes, and internal protective packaging, printed with flexographic, digital, or litho processes using water-based inks. The company pairs this manufacturing with structural and graphic design, cost reduction analysis, ISTA 3A drop testing, and production QC services, selling to direct-to-consumer e-commerce brands across the United States from its Chicago-area facility.

Product overview

Salazar Packaging is a sustainable e-commerce packaging solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of custom packaging products and design services. The core product line includes Custom Boxes (Regular Slotted Containers, Die Cut Mailer Boxes, Custom Paper Tape), Custom Retail Packaging (Paperboard Packaging, Rigid Boxes), Custom Mailer Envelopes (Unpadded Paper, Padded Paper, Custom Rigid Mailers), and Custom Internal Packaging (Die Cut Inserts, Dividers and Partitions, Interior & Protective Packaging). These products are supported by specialized services including Intentional Sustainable Design, Structural and Graphic Design, Cost Reduction Consultation, Ship and Drop Testing, and Production Overview and QC. The company operates as both a product manufacturer and design consultancy, providing end-to-end packaging solutions for direct-to-consumer brands across industries including food/beverage, health/beauty, apparel, and subscription boxes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ta-Da Box: An innovative and unique mailer box design created by Salazar Packaging for customers looking for sustainable e-commerce packaging with distinctive style.

Products and services

• Regular Slotted Containers (RSC Boxes) Standard corrugated shipping boxes with four flaps on the top and bottom that fold inward and seal with tape, fully customizable in dimensions, ink colors, board color, and board grade with inside and outside printing options. Designed for e-commerce brands needing custom-branded shipping cartons.
• Die Cut Mailer Boxes Custom corrugated mailer boxes available in multiple sizes and configurations with lock-front or top-tuck styles, featuring advanced printing capabilities for custom branding, colors, logos, and messaging using eco-friendly water-based inks. Intended for e-commerce DTC brands shipping directly to consumers.
• Custom Paper Tape Custom printed water-activated paper packaging tape for sealing shipping boxes with branding, graphics, and messaging, made from high-quality recycled and recyclable materials. Sold as a standalone custom product for e-commerce brands.
• Paperboard Packaging Chipboard paperboard folding cartons commonly used for cosmetics and luxury products, with customization options including high gloss, UV coating, embossing, soft-touch, and full-color printing. Targeted at cosmetics and luxury retail brands.
• Rigid Boxes Two-piece premium packaging boxes made to exact specifications for jewelry, electronics, candles, and luxury items, with embossing, foil, and soft-touch finish options for upscale presentation. Targeted at premium and luxury brands.
• Unpadded Paper Envelopes Durable paper mailers made from high recycled content materials and fully recyclable, designed for soft goods, apparel, and other items requiring lightweight shipping solutions. Sold as a standalone product for apparel and soft-goods DTC brands.
• Padded Paper Envelopes Eco-friendly padded mailers with durable exteriors and thick interior cushioning made from 100 percent recyclable materials, positioned as one of the only fully curbside-recyclable padded packaging products available. Targeted at DTC brands needing recyclable cushioned shipping mailers.
• Custom Rigid Mailers Rigid cardboard mailers for shipping items such as calendars, greeting cards, and books, available in multiple sizes including expandable options and various paperboard thicknesses for protection. Targeted at brands shipping flat or semi-flat items.
• Die Cut Inserts Custom corrugated or chipboard box inserts designed to hold products in place during shipping, optionally custom-printed to match packaging branding and made from 100 percent recyclable material. Sold as a standalone custom internal packaging product.
• Cardboard Packaging Dividers and Partitions Custom corrugated partitions designed to fit shipping boxes and products, holding items securely to prevent rattling and damage during transit while still showcasing products. Sold as a standalone internal packaging product.
• Interior and Protective Packaging Custom protective packaging solutions including die cut inserts, corrugated corner and edge protectors, molded pulp or foam options, and combined corrugated and paperboard solutions for complex applications. Targeted at brands shipping fragile or sensitive products.
• Envelopes and Alternative Packaging Solutions Alternative packaging offering including unpadded poly envelopes, rigid envelopes, custom printed paper tape, and various paperboard packaging options for non-box applications. Targeted at DTC brands seeking envelope-style or alternative shipping packaging.
• Packaging Design Services Professional product packaging design services covering structural and graphic design, custom design for various products and applications, and a collaborative design process. Sold as a service engagement to e-commerce brands.
• Intentional Sustainable Design Sustainable packaging design consulting focused on minimizing environmental impact during the design phase, including material selection, recycling considerations, and eco-friendly print processes. Sold as a standalone consulting service.
• Structural and Graphic Design Expert design services covering box type, dimensions, internal packaging, board type and grade selection, and graphic design including flexographic, digital, or litho label printing options. Sold as a standalone design service engagement.
• Cost Reduction Consultation Packaging cost analysis service examining total cost including inbound freight, storage, outbound shipping, labor, void fill, and product replacement costs to identify savings opportunities. Offered as a free 30-minute consultation and paid ongoing engagement.
• Ship and Drop Testing Package testing services including real-world ship testing with carriers and ISTA 3A standard 9-point drop testing from 30-inch height in multiple orientations on all internal protective packaging designs. Sold as a standalone validation service.
• Production Overview and QC Quality control and production monitoring service ensuring color accuracy, placement, squareness, scores, and overall packaging quality through press checks and production oversight with experienced personnel present from the first run. Sold as a standalone production oversight service.

Quantifiable outcome

• Zero customer shortages due to delivery failure in 15 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Packlane: Packlane is a direct competitor offering custom-printed boxes, mailers, and inserts for DTC e-commerce brands with online design tools and short-run production. It targets the same customer segment as Salazar with comparable flexographic and digital printing capabilities.
• Noissue: Noissue is a direct competitor specializing in custom sustainable packaging (corrugated mailers, tissue, stickers, tape) for DTC and e-commerce brands, with a strong sustainability and FSC positioning that closely mirrors Salazar's value proposition.
• Arka: Arka (formerly The Custom Packaging) is a direct competitor providing custom boxes, mailers, and packaging supplies to DTC e-commerce brands, offering online customization, low minimums, and design services comparable to Salazar's offering.
• Lumi: Lumi is a direct competitor offering custom-printed mailer boxes, mailers, and e-commerce packaging with an online design platform and supply chain integration, serving the same DTC brand customers as Salazar.

Emerging players

• Refine Packaging: Refine Packaging is an emerging player in custom-printed e-commerce packaging with low minimum order quantities, comparable product range (mailer boxes, shipping boxes, inserts), and similar focus on small-to-mid DTC brands.
• Sticker Mule: Sticker Mule is an emerging custom-products platform (stickers, labels, packaging, apparel) for SMB and DTC brands. While its core is stickers/labels, its packaging expansion targets the same SMB DTC customer base with similar online customization UX.

Broad incumbents

• Pratt Industries: Pratt Industries is a broad incumbent and major US corrugated packaging manufacturer serving national brands with 100% recycled containerboard. It competes with Salazar at the enterprise/DTC scale end and represents the consolidation risk from larger converters.
• Smurfit Kappa: Smurfit Kappa is a global paper-based packaging incumbent with significant US corrugated operations, supplying large e-commerce and consumer goods customers. It is comparable as a competitive ceiling on enterprise accounts and a potential acquirer.
• WestRock (Smurfit Westrock): WestRock (now Smurfit Westrock) is one of the largest US paper and packaging incumbents, producing corrugated boxes, folding cartons, and paperboard packaging for major retail and e-commerce customers. Comparable as a scale competitor and consolidator in the same category.
• ProAmpac: ProAmpac is a broad incumbent flexible and paper-based packaging manufacturer serving consumer goods, e-commerce, and food/beverage customers with custom printed packaging solutions including mailers and paperboard cartons.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Salazar Packaging