What are the best types of packaging for shipping?

When businesses ship goods across the country, choosing the proper packaging is crucial to avoid product loss and dissatisfied customers. After all, companies should carefully and securely package customers’ orders regardless of the shipping method.

Several packaging and shipping choices are available for all kinds of items. It entails more than simply packing customers’ orders in a box and taping it shut with shipping tape. It begins as soon as businesses decide to ship customers’ products. It ends once companies are sure that the buyers have received their orders undamaged and in good condition. Here are a few things to consider during shipping and packaging goods.

Does packaging matter?

The success of a business depends on being able to deliver goods to customers safely, whether the business store is physical or online. However, adequate packaging accomplishes much more. Products must not only arrive undamaged and intact; they must also come in packaging that is both easy to open and appealing to customers’ eyes.

Good packaging reduces costs because fewer occurrences necessitate fewer product replacements for customers. Knowing how to securely and promptly deliver goods to customers improves store reputations and encourages repeat business.

Types of Packaging Materials

Exterior Packaging: The main choices for parcel transportation are boxes or cartons, envelopes, or robust, flexible outer packaging. Every choice has advantages. For descriptions of each, see below.

The most common type of outer packing for sending packages is boxes and cartons. Corrugated boxes are easily decomposable and recyclable. Boxes come in a wide range of sizes and strengths. Single-wall corrugated boxes can be used to ship lighter items.

A double-wall corrugated box is required for products weighing more than 6 to 10kg. Some items weighing more than 18kg may need a stiffer, more rigid carton to protect them during shipping.

Be sure to pay close attention to the required box sizes. Boxes and cartons similar in size to the sent products result in less waste, less movement inside the box, and less void fill.

Envelopes are the cheapest and most efficient way to ship smaller, lighter items. Look for the small package envelopes that many big couriers provide. Although the envelope provides little protection during shipment, it is an excellent choice for sending small items.

Thick Exterior Flexible Packaging: This choice can be challenging and unsuitable for most products. If it succeeds, there could be significant cost reductions associated with packaging. The need for boxes or cartons can occasionally be avoided by wrapping things in a thick polyethene bag or shrink wrap before shipping.

For instance, rigid outdoor slides. They were placed inside a protective bag to protect the slides from scratches and scuffs. The rigid outdoor slides are shipped after the pack is labelled. The two basic requirements for this type of shipment are. Firstly, the product does not require cushioning or protection during delivery. Secondly, a material that is strong enough to stay on the product throughout shipping so that the label doesn’t come off.

Secondary packaging is strongly recommended and, in some cases, required when delivering liquids, powders, or explodable items that could contaminate other items in the package. The majority of secondary packaging will be flexible in nature.

Poly bags, shrink wrap, and neckbands are popular types of secondary packaging. A heat sealer and poly bags are inexpensive to buy. The bag and sealer will contain any potential spills. Shrinkwrapping takes up less space while providing an additional layer of protection that conforms to the wrapped thing.

Another method of heat shrink wrapping used to fit around the neck and top of rigid containers is neck bands. The banding aids in creating a security seal and catches any cap/lid drips.

Void Fillers: The necessity for void fillers is greatly influenced by the outside container. For instance, books are shipped in external containers that restrict movement within the package, eliminating the need for void fill. Other more fragile things will require some cushioning during shipment.

Common void-filler materials include Kraft paper, bubble wrap, packing peanuts, and air pillows. If a product is heavy and fragile, foam or specially moulded inserts may be required for further protection.

Choose a sustainable choice because void fillers are disposable and rarely used again. Air pillows and biodegradable packing peanuts are other options to take into account.

Closure: Most outside containers will be sealed with tape for shipping parcels. Businesses have always preferred acrylic packaging tape to seal shipment boxes. For shipping packages, many reinforced kraft tapes have recently gained popularity. Lip seal bags, in addition to tapes, are a preferred method for lightweight shipping goods. Clothing companies commonly use lip-seal bags to mail minor garment orders.

Reinforcement: Reinforcing an external package, especially for large or heavy objects, might be done using more tape, strapping, or even another box. Using more tape can work but runs the risk of possibly coming undone during shipment.

Strapping can be both robust and cost-effective. With strapping and a strapping machine, single-wall corrugated boxes may withstand additional strain during shipping.

When choosing packaging materials:

First, determine what is required to maintain goods secure and intact. Keep in mind that the product must go through several locations and stages. Therefore the box must be robust and durable. It must be a brand-new, sturdy external container for packaging because the package may get a little weaker due to what happens at each step of the procedure.

The product’s weight, size, form, fragility, and value should all be considered when choosing suitable packaging. All the packing listed above can be assessed to help businesses make the right choice once these details have been determined and identified.

Businesses should spend additional time and effort on the packaging and transporting of bulky or fragile goods. Lightweight items like clothing or shoes will not experience the same loss level as heavy items like a glass chandelier.

How to make sure the products have adequate protection?

The basic rule of thumb is never to leave empty gaps in the box while cushioning things. Without sufficient padding, the goods may jolt during shipping and sustain damage. This may also occur if the void fill or cushion needs to be more rigid. Please make sure the shipment cushion keeps its effectiveness intact.

Before sealing the box after cushioning the products, gently shake to ensure nothing can move around. Another simple technique to validate the appropriate cushion quantity is to perform a drop test. Inside the packaging, the objects should be cushioned to withstand impact with items such as bubble wrap, kraft paper, or air cushions. Drop the package from a predetermined height onto the box’s sides to simulate the impact during shipping. Then check the products to see if there is any damage and see if the void fill has absorbed any impact.

Is it necessary to wrap each item inside the box?

Generally speaking, it is a good idea to wrap each product separately, especially if it is a fragile item. Each item should be wrapped and cushioned separately to give the products less space to move. They are less prone to sustain injury when immobile. If products are susceptible to moisture or dirt damage, consider adding supplementary packaging to the box to provide them with even more security. Before being transported, the package and its contents must be adequately padded and taped.

Conclusion

Customers must have a memorable final experience when receiving their orders, and businesses’ reputations with customers can suffer from various packaging issues. Planning and putting together secure packaging and wrapping each item can make a great first impression. After all, satisfied consumers start with an undamaged, functional product when they receive it.

Proper packaging materials to pack customers’ orders and correctly complete every stage of the packaging and shipping process can help with the growth of any business.