When choosing the best packaging for cupcakes, it's important to only consider containers that will keep the baked goods intact. No one wants to purchase beautiful-looking cupcakes only to arrive home with the frosting crushed and attached to the inside packaging instead of the tops of the little cakes. Viewing all of your options in the sizes you need and comparing the cost for the value and efficiency you'll get can help you find the best packaging for cupcakes.
Single cupcake packaging options include glossy cardboard cylinders with a lid as well as clear acrylic or paper boxes. Individual cupcake boxes made from heavy paper or thin cardboard often have a clear cellophane "window" on the top. This can be a better choice than the covered cardboard type if you want the frosted top of your cupcakes to show. The clear acrylic boxes show the entire cupcake and can be made fancier by attaching a ribbon bow to the top of each box. It's best to choose the clear boxes that have a cardboard insert at the bottom though as these can keep the cupcake from moving around.
For customers who will be eating their cupcake at your store or bake sale, a really inexpensive idea is to use some wax paper and plastic food wrap. Place the frosted cupcake in the center of a square of wax paper and bring up the corners so they rise up above the dessert, but let the frosting around the edge "glue" the paper on. You can then add a square of plastic wrap on the top and secure it at the bottom of the cupcake. If the frosting has already hardened somewhat, you can vary this idea for packaging for cupcakes by still using the wax paper, but replacing the plastic wrap with cellophane brought up and tied with ribbon.
Bulk packages, such as boxes made of clear acrylic or cardboard, are typically available to hold 6-24 cupcakes. Again, it's a good idea to choose packaging that includes holders to keep each cupcake steady. Just as most bulk boxes of chocolates have a thin plastic tray with an indentation for each piece of candy, there is box style packaging for cupcakes that use a similar method. Think about whether a flip top box opening or a slide out drawer-like cupcake system would be best for your products and customers.