Selling and marketing
Apple Pie Packaging Template: 6 Fields and a Cost Check
A simple template for your apple pie boxes, plus the cost check that keeps your margin.
On this page
- What should an apple pie packaging template include?
- How to cost one box before you order 100
- Worked example: margin after ingredients, labor, and overhead
- Mistakes that cost you money on pie packaging
- What to check before you commit to a supplier
- How do you measure your pie for the right box size?
- What label fields do you need for an apple pie box?
- How do you set a reorder point for packaging supplies?
- How do you adapt the template for different pie sizes?
- How to use the template for a market order
- How Brevl keeps your packaging and orders together
What to remember
- A template saves you from rewriting labels every week.
- Include the cost per box so you do not guess your margin.
- Check your state cottage food rules for what must be on the label.
- Keep a copy on your phone so you can order supplies anywhere.
You already know how to bake a pie that sells. The apple pie packaging template is the part that keeps you from losing money on boxes, labels, and tape. It turns a messy drawer of supplies into a repeatable step. You fill it in once, then you never guess again.
What should an apple pie packaging template include?
Start with the box itself, and write down the size, the material, and where you buy it. Add the liner, the label, and any tape or sticker you use. Each line gets a cost and a supplier, so you can reorder without guessing. You can also see which item costs the most, which helps you decide where to save, and for a full list of fields, see the pie order form template.
Box size and material
Write the exact size, like 9 inch, and the material, like kraft or white. Note the supplier and the price per box.
Liner and greaseproof paper
Note the size and the cost per sheet. Check if the liner is compostable or greaseproof.
Label fields
List every field you need: pie name, ingredients, net weight, your business name, address, phone, date baked, best by date, and allergen statement. Check your state rules for the exact list.
Cost per box
Add the box, liner, label, tape, and sticker. That is your packaging cost per pie. Write it at the top of the template.
Supplier and reorder point
Write the supplier name, the order link, and the number you have left before you reorder. Set a reminder on your phone.
How to cost one box before you order 100
Packaging is part of your cost per pie, and if you ignore it, your margin shrinks with every order. Write the cost of the box, the liner, and the label on your template, then add them up. That is your packaging cost per pie, and you must add it to your ingredient cost, your labor, and your overhead. The number left after all three is your margin, so if it is too small, change the box or change the price, and for a full walkthrough, see how to price a homemade pie.
Worked example: margin after ingredients, labor, and overhead
Let B be your box cost, L your liner cost, and T your tape and label cost, and let I be your ingredient cost per pie. Let W be your labor cost per pie, and let O be your overhead cost per pie. Let P be your price, and let your packaging cost be B plus L plus T, so your total cost is packaging plus I plus W plus O. Your margin is P minus that total, so if it is too small, change the box or change the price. Do not leave overhead out of the math, because that hides your real profit.
Mistakes that cost you money on pie packaging
The first mistake is forgetting the small stuff, because tape, stickers, and liners add up fast. Put every item on your template, and if it touches the box, it belongs in the cost. The second mistake is guessing the box size, since a 9 inch pie needs a 10 inch box. Measure your pie before you order, and always add shipping to your cost per box because shipping can double the price.
What to check before you commit to a supplier
Ask for a sample, and check the box with a real pie inside to make sure the lid closes and the bottom holds. Then check the minimum order, because a low price per box means nothing if you must buy 1,000. Also check the shipping cost, since shipping can double the price per box, and ask about the delivery time. Finally, ask if the box is food safe, because that matters for anything that touches the pie, and for more on packaging costs, see packaging for baked goods.
How do you measure your pie for the right box size?
Measure the widest part of your pie, including the crust, before you order any boxes. A 9 inch pie needs a 10 inch box, which gives the crust room and keeps the lid from pressing down. Write the measured size on your template next to the box size and the supplier name. If you use a deep dish pan, measure the height too, because a short box will crush the top crust, and a box that is too wide lets the pie slide.
What label fields do you need for an apple pie box?
Your state cottage food rules list the required fields, so check your state website each year. Common fields include the pie name, ingredients, net weight, your business name, address, and phone. You may also need the date baked, a best by date, and an allergen statement. Write every required field on your template so you can print labels without guessing, and if you sell at a market, leave the date and price blank and fill them in by hand.
How do you set a reorder point for packaging supplies?
Count how many boxes you use in a normal week and write that number down. Decide how many weeks of stock you want on hand, then write that as your reorder point. When your supply drops to that number, order more from the supplier listed on your template. Add the supplier name and the order link so you can reorder in seconds, and set a reminder on your phone for busy seasons because a holiday rush can empty your shelf.
How do you adapt the template for different pie sizes?
Make a separate line for each pie size you sell, from 5 inch to 9 inch, because a 5 inch pie needs a different box, liner, and label than a 9 inch pie. The label fields stay the same, but the net weight and the box cost change. Write the box cost and the label space for each size so you can price it correctly. If you add a new size, copy the template and change the measurements, and do not guess the cost from a larger size because the margin on small pies is often thinner.
How to use the template for a market order
Print your labels in advance for your best sellers, and leave the date and the price blank. Fill them in with a pen at the market, which saves time when you are busy with customers. Keep the template on your phone so you can check a cost while you stand at the table. If a customer asks for a different size, you can look up the box cost in seconds, and you can write the order on your pie order form and check the deposit rule.
How Brevl keeps your packaging and orders together
Brevl is one flat $20 a month. No cut of your sales. You can keep your packaging costs, your recipes, and your orders in one place. Your shop is yours to customize with your photos, your colors, and your own web address. You can take card payments through your own Stripe or Square account, plus Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, and cash. It works on a computer and on a phone. You can try it with a 14 day free trial. We set it up with you, and we move your old shop over: products, photos, reviews, and dates. A real person answers, usually within minutes.
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Common questions
What should I put on an apple pie packaging template?
Start with the box size, liner, and label. Add the cost of each item. Then list the label fields you need for your state, like ingredients, net weight, and your contact info. Keep a copy on your phone so you can reorder supplies without guessing.
How do I cost packaging per pie?
Add the cost of the box, liner, label, tape, and sticker. Divide by the number of pies in the order. That is your packaging cost per pie. Add it to ingredients, labor, and overhead before you set your final price.
Do I need a different template for each pie size?
Yes. A 9 inch pie needs a different box than a 5 inch pie. Make a separate line for each size. That way you always know the exact cost and the exact label space for every order you bake yourself.
Where can I check label rules for my state?
Your state's cottage food law or agriculture department website lists what must be on a label. Always check it before you print. Rules change, so review it each year. Your own template should have a line for every required field.
Can I use a template for other baked goods?
Yes. The same fields really work for cakes, breads, and cookies. Change the box size and the label fields. Keep the cost lines. The structure stays the same, so you can reuse it for every baked good you sell yourself.
What if I sell at a market and need labels fast?
Always print labels in advance for your best sellers. Leave the date and the price blank. Fill them in with a pen at the market. That saves time and keeps your template useful when you are busy with your own customers.
General information, not legal or tax advice.