Blanket Orders for Corrugated Packaging: Long-Term Purchase Agreements

What Is a Blanket Order?

A blanket order is a long-term purchase agreement between a buyer and a manufacturer that commits to a total quantity of product over a defined period, typically six to twelve months. Instead of placing individual purchase orders each time you need boxes, you agree upfront to a total annual volume and schedule multiple deliveries (called releases) throughout the agreement period. Each release ships a portion of the total commitment.

Blanket orders are widely used in corrugated packaging procurement because they benefit both parties. The buyer receives volume-based pricing per thousand on every release without paying for the entire quantity upfront. The manufacturer gains production planning visibility and can schedule runs efficiently.

Benefits of Blanket Orders

The most immediate benefit is pricing. By committing to a higher total quantity, you qualify for a lower Price/M than you would receive ordering the same smaller quantities individually. This is because the manufacturer can plan makeready and material purchasing more efficiently when they know your full-year demand.

Blanket orders also reduce your warehousing burden. Instead of receiving and storing an entire year’s supply at once, you receive scheduled shipments that match your consumption rate. This is especially valuable for businesses with limited warehouse space or seasonal demand patterns. Cash flow improves as well, since you pay for each release as it ships rather than the full quantity upfront.

How Blanket Orders Work

The process typically begins with a Request for Quote that specifies your estimated annual quantity for each box SKU. President Container Group provides pricing based on the total committed volume and proposes a delivery schedule. Once both parties agree on pricing, quantities, and release dates, the blanket order is formalized.

Throughout the agreement period, you call off releases against the blanket order as needed. Some agreements allow flexibility in release timing, while others follow a fixed schedule. The SPEC# for each box design ensures consistency across every release, and our production team schedules each run to meet your delivery dates.

Is a Blanket Order Right for You?

Blanket orders work best for packaging items with predictable, recurring demand. If you know you will use a certain box design throughout the year, a blanket order almost always delivers better economics than spot ordering. They are less suitable for one-time projects, seasonal items with uncertain demand, or new product launches where volume is still being validated through prototyping.

At President Container, we work with businesses across industries to structure blanket order agreements that align with their production schedules and cash flow requirements. Whether you need custom shipping boxes, retail packaging, or display units from Artisan Display, blanket ordering can be applied to any recurring packaging need.