Launch · Costed spec
A costed spec for your kids' education box
Know what goes in the box, what one box costs to land, and how long it takes, before you pay a printer or a factory. A 4-page PDF in two weeks.
No calls needed. Everything by email.
$750
fixed · credited toward the build if you hire us
Costed spec · fictional brand
Calm Corner classroom kit
For pre-K and kindergarten teachers. Retail target $49.
What goes in the box
| Rigid lift-off box | 9 x 6 x 2.5 in, printed wrap, matte |
| 30 breathing and feelings cards | 3.5 x 5 in, 350 gsm, round corners |
| Feelings poster | 18 x 24 in, folded to fit the box |
| 1-minute sand timer | plastic, 4 in |
| Teacher guide | 16 pages, saddle-stitched |
| Sticker sheet | 6 x 8 in, kiss-cut |
Flag: the sand timer is a small part. Grade the kit 3+ and print the choking warning on the box.
The On It Studio · Costed spec1 / 4
Landed cost per box
Delivered to a US warehouse. Includes freight, duty and safety testing spread over the run.
| Units | US-printed | Made in China |
|---|---|---|
| 500 | $21.40 | $14.90 |
| 1,000 | $15.80 | $9.70 |
| 2,500 | $11.90 | $6.40 |
Timeline to warehouse, from approved artwork
6 to 8 wks
US-printed
12 to 16 wks
Made in China, ocean freight
Our read: 1,000 made in China if you can wait for back to school. 500 US-printed if you need boxes for a spring show.
The On It Studio · Costed spec2 / 4
Example: two of the four pages for a fictional classroom kit. Your spec uses your parts, your quantities and current pricing.
Sound familiar?
- "I know what I want to sell. I have no idea what it costs to make."
- "I got two quotes for the same kit and they are nowhere close."
- "I can't tell if I should print here or overseas."
Why a spec first
Most first boxes stall on one question: what will this cost me per unit? Printers quote what you ask for, not what you should ask for. Factories quote the box but not the freight, the duty or the safety test.
The spec answers that question once, for both routes, at three quantities. You decide with numbers in hand, then build with us or take the PDF anywhere you like.
What's in the PDF
Page 1: What goes in the box
Every component with size, material and finish, picked against the retail price you want. Safety flags for your age grade.
Page 2: Landed cost and timeline
Cost to get one box into a US warehouse at 500, 1,000 and 2,500 units, US-printed next to made in China, and the weeks each route takes.
Page 3: Our fees for the full build
What it costs to take the spec to print-ready files, samples and a production run with us, with the $750 already taken off.
Page 4: Risks and next decisions
What could move the numbers or the dates, and the few choices only you can make.
How it runs
2 weeks, all by email
Day 1
Buy
Pay $750 at checkout. You land on a short brief form.
Day 1
Fill the brief
Ten minutes: your idea, what you think goes in the box, quantities and when you need it.
Days 2 to 12
We spec and price
We size every part and price both routes. If something is unclear, we ask by email.
Day 14
PDF in your inbox
Four pages you can take to a printer, a partner or your own budget.
Price
$750
fixed, paid at checkout
- One product, priced at 500, 1,000 and 2,500 units, US-printed and made in China.
- Hire us for the full build and the $750 comes off the build fee.
- The PDF is yours. Take it to any printer or factory.
Proof
Seven products for a kids wellness brand
For Yogapalooza, a kids wellness brand that sells to classrooms and families, we took seven-plus physical products from idea to printed and sold: card decks, a classroom kit, a picture book and a plush. Each one started with the same questions this spec answers.
Read the Yogapalooza case study"The On It Studio is SO amazing to work with. I cannot say enough great things about them. They have enabled me to be incredibly productive. They are truly 'on it' and a dream to work with!"
Questions
- Do I need a call?
- No calls needed. Everything by email. You fill a short brief after checkout, we email if a detail is unclear, and the PDF arrives in your inbox.
- My idea is still rough. Is that too early?
- That is the best time. Send what you have: a sketch, a list of things you want in the box, a competitor you like. The spec turns it into parts and prices.
- How exact are the numbers?
- They are planning numbers, built from supplier pricing for your parts and quantities. Final quotes move with paper prices, freight and duty rates on the day you order, so we show what each line depends on.
- What happens if we hire you for the build?
- The $750 comes off the fee for the full build. The build takes the spec from paper to print-ready files, samples and a production run.
- What kinds of boxes does this cover?
- Printed education products: card decks, classroom and activity kits, books and guides, posters, stickers and simple add-ins like timers or plush. If your box needs electronics, we will tell you up front that we are not the right team.
Get the numbers before you commit
$750, a 10-minute brief, and a 4-page PDF in your inbox in two weeks. No calls needed. Everything by email.