Industry Trends

When You Should (and Shouldn’t) DIY Your Custom Wedding Favors & Gift Boxes – An Admin Buyer’s Take

I Used to Think Outsourcing Was the Only Way to Get Quality Custom Products

When I first started handling event giveaways and client gifts, I assumed the only way to get personalised bridesmaid gift boxes, custom made metal pin badges, and printed cardboard boxes was to go to a specialty printer. I’d sign off on purchase orders for $3,000–$5,000 per project, wait two weeks for delivery, and cross my fingers the color matched the mockup.

Then, about three years ago, I had a “wait, I can do that myself?” moment. Now I handle about 40% of our custom printed items—specifically custom wedding thank you cards, personalized metal name tags (the adhesive labels, not the engraved ones), and small runs of printed cardboard boxes—using our Brother MFC-L2750DW.

But here’s the thing I want to say loud and clear: this approach only works for certain products. I’m not going to pretend a Brother printer can replace a professional pin badge manufacturer. Let me walk you through what I’ve learned, so you don’t waste money or time.

The 3 Reasons I Now Print Small-Run Custom Items In-House

1. The Cost Difference Is Way Bigger Than I Expected

I compared two identical orders of 50 custom wedding thank you cards—one from an online shop, one printed on our Brother and cut myself. The online quote was $189 including shipping. My in-house cost? About $22 (paper + ink + a little wear on the drum). Seriously. The Brother toner cartridge lasts for about 3,000 pages, and even with the occasional misprint, we’re still saving a ton.

For personalised bridesmaid gift boxes—which are really just printed cardboard boxes with a custom message on the lid—I can print the design directly onto label paper, then apply it to plain kraft boxes. A set of 30 boxes cost me $45 in supplies vs. $240 from a specialty packaging supplier.

2. Turnaround Time Changes Your Whole Event Planning

I’m the person who always underestimates how long it takes to get vendor quotes approved. With in-house printing, I can design a personalized metal name tag label, print it, and hand it to a colleague within 20 minutes. For a last-minute client appreciation dinner, that’s gold.

I want to say I planned ahead perfectly—but honestly, I didn’t. In 2024, we had a gala where the custom wedding thank you cards (yes, we used them as place cards) were supposed to arrive three days before the event. They got lost in transit. I printed replacements in house at 11 p.m. the night before.

Bottom line: For small quantities (under 200 units of flat paper items), you can’t beat the speed of your own printer.

3. I Actually Get Better Control Over Quality (Surprise)

When I first compared in-house vs. outsourced printed cardboard boxes, I assumed the pro printer would be flawless. But I’ve had vendors send me boxes with smudged ink, crooked die-cuts, or colors that were “close enough.” With my Brother printer, I can print one sample, adjust the file, and re-print within minutes.

For custom made metal pin badges and lacquer earrings—yeah, I don’t even try those in-house. They require special equipment and materials. But for flat, paper-based items? My Brother MFC handles 120gsm cardstock beautifully.

Here’s the “But” – Where I Still Outsource

I want to be honest about the limitations of this approach, because I’ve learned the hard way.

Do not use a desktop printer for:

• Custom made metal pin badges – No printer can engrave or plate metal. You need a specialist.
• Lacquer earrings – That’s jewelry manufacturing, not printing.
• Printed cardboard boxes in quantities over 500 – At that scale, the per-unit cost of toner and paper actually exceeds a trade printer’s quote. Plus, die-cut shapes are tricky without a plotter.
• Items that need proof of USPS compliance – If you’re mailing custom wedding thank you cards with heavy embellishments, USPS requires specific sizes and thicknesses. My home printer can’t guarantee that. I usually check USPS Business Mail 101 specs (they define envelope dimensions as 3.5″ × 5″ min to 6.125″ × 11.5″ max for letters). Stick to those if mailing.

So here’s my honest rule: If it’s flat, paper-based, and under 300 units, do it yourself with a reliable printer like Brother. If it’s metal, curved, or needs special finishing, hire a pro.

My Bottom-Line Advice (With a Little Self-Correction)

I used to think buying a “real” printer for event materials was overkill. Now I see it as the most flexible tool in my procurement toolkit. But—and this is important—I’m not saying every admin should rush out and buy a laser printer. If you’re only ordering custom made metal pin badges once a year, it’s not worth it. But if you’re ordering personalised bridesmaid gift boxes, personalized metal name tags (sticker versions), and multiple runs of printed cardboard boxes throughout the year, the ROI is undeniable.

Bottom line: Don’t outsource what you can print yourself. But know exactly what you can’t print. That’s the difference between saving money and wasting it.

— An admin buyer who now owns three Brother printers across two offices