Every order we fulfill for each of our customers is more than just the product that was ordered. There’s also the packaging, packing materials and sometimes marketing materials that also get mailed with it.
It’s easy to forget about packaging when you’re focused on everything else that makes your business tick. But packaging is important! It’s the first thing your customer sees when their order arrives and it’s important to make a good first impression. It also impacts the condition that your product arrives in and your bottom line.
It’s up to you to decide what packaging you want to use. This decision involves balancing cost, quality and branding.
Different Types of Packaging
Different products have different packaging needs. A small pair of earrings doesn’t need the same amount of packaging as a large pair of boots. Obviously no matter what you’re mailing you want it to arrive safely at your customers doorstep.
When deciding what type of packaging to use for your product consider testing it out before you start using it. To test it out you should basically act like you’re the worst mail delivery person ever. Handle the package roughly, drop it on its edge, throw it around, stack heavier boxes on top of it to see how it holds up.
Common or stock packaging options that have been well tested are a great option because they have been well-tested and have proven successful over time. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t test it out and make sure it works for you but these options tend to work best for most products.
Cardboard Boxes
Cardboard boxes are an ideal type of packaging. They’re sturdy and space efficient making them great for shipping products around the corner or around the world. Keep in mind that the size of the boxes will figure into the price of shipping. You want to choose boxes that are not oversized compared to the item being shipped. The better the fit the cheaper the shipping.
Getting cardboard boxes that are customized for your company is easy these days but don’t forget custom boxes will definitely cost you more. You’ll also have to make sure that your custom boxes are just as durable as stock boxes that have more testing involved.
Pros
- Cheap
- Durable
- Comes in many sizes
- Protective
Cons
- Not great for smaller items
- Adds a lot of weight
- Not great for oddly shaped items
Bubble Mailers
While boxes aren’t great for smaller items, bubble mailers are. Small items and soft items work well with bubble mailers. Products like clothing that are soft can easily be fit into a bubble mailer. They’re also relatively durable and protective thanks to their bubble wrap lining.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Durable
- Water-resistant
- Great for small and soft items
Cons
- Not suitable for items with sharp corners
- Can be punctured
- Not suitable for fragile items
Poly Mailers
Poly mailers are essentially thin plastic envelopes and they’re becoming more and more popular. They’re less durable than a bubble mailer but they’re also more versatile because they can wrap around any shape. Products that are already durable or have sturdy packaging might work well with a poly mailer. They’re also relatively inexpensive and easy to customize.
Pros
- Very lightweight
- Can conform to many shapes
- Protects items inside from water, dirt, dust, etc.
- Easy to customize
Cons
- Less durable
- Less protective
- Can be punctured or torn
- Easily squashed by items piled on top
Different Types of Packing Materials
You’ll need to use packing materials most often when you ship your products in a box. If the box isn’t a perfect fit then you’ll need to stuff extra material inside to fill up that space. This will prevent the items inside from moving around as much and potentially becoming damaged.
The goal here is to pick the most efficient type of packing material for what you’re mailing. Do your products need more protection or less protection?
Air Bubble Void Fill
The job of air bubble void fill is right in the name! They’re air bubbles that fill in the extra spaces in boxes. They’re basically like little plastic pillows filled with air and designed to act as a buffer/cushion for the items in the box. Air bubble void fillers are becoming more and more common because they work well enough and are lighter weight than other options.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Protective
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not eco-friendly
- Can’t stuff into nooks and crannies
- Not the most protective
Bubble Wrap
Who doesn’t love getting bubble wrap in a package. Somehow popping those little plastic bubbles never gets old even as you get older. Not only is bubble wrap fun it is very protective! You can wrap bubble wrap around fragile items to keep them well-protected.
Pros
- Very protective
- Fun to pop
- Acts as a barrier for items
Cons
- Not eco-friendly
- Adds more weight than other options
- Works best as a wrap, not a filler
Packing Paper
Packing paper is a classic packing material and can add to the presentation of your customers order. Depending on your brand this can add to the customer experience. It’s also great because it can fit into any space unlike air bubble void fillers.
Pros
- Eco-friendly
- Fits into any space
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Not the most protective
- Can potentially add more weight
- Not water resistant
Deciding How to Pack Your Products
Deciding how to package and pack your customers’ orders can be difficult. You want to pick the options that best fit your brand, get the job done and save you money all at the same time. At Ship Central we can help you make that decision if you’re unsure of what packaging you need but here are a few things to consider.
- Fit – Does it physically fit the product? Too big and the product inside can bounce around and the box can get crushed. Too small and the product can product can also become damaged. It’s all about finding just the right fit, like Goldilocks and the three bears.
- Function – Does the packaging work with the product? Like we discussed before certain types of packaging work better with certain types of products. If you’re selling clothes or other soft goods you can save money with poly mailers/bubble mailers.
- Environmentally friendly – more and more consumers are concerned with how much packaging comes with their purchase. Reducing packaging altogether can help you save money and help the environment while making an impression on customers.
Is Custom Packaging Right for You?
Another question to answer when making packaging decisions is whether custom packaging is right for you. Obviously custom packaging will cost more than stock packaging. And you can either go premium or low cost. There are even little ways to customize your packaging like with branded tape.
Custom packaging doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg though and when you find the right packaging partner they can help you create custom packaging that looks great, is functional and doesn’t break the bank. Below is a video that gives an inside look into how to modify premium packaging solutions and make them more affordable.
How Ship Central Can Help
We offer a variety of packaging and packing options to our customers and we help them decide what will work best for them. We’ve got years of experience working with many different brands that ship a wide variety of products. We help ship everything from fire hoses to health supplements.
Also because we ship more than you we get better pricing on all our shipping materials. No need to buy expensive equipment like air bubble fillers, we’ve got you covered. Plus our expertly trained staff know how to pack every box perfectly. We treat your business like our business!
Contact us today and we can help you figure out what works best for your business.