You may be familiar with the expression ‘it’s what’s inside that counts’. Although there is some truth to this, it certainly does not apply when it comes to packages. When you have your own business selling products, your package will play a key role to ensure that it gets to the buyer in great condition. Even though your customers may not give too much thought about the box their product comes in, this is something you must think about yourself.
Many business owners tend to put a considerable amount of thought into their products and neglect the packaging. However, a lack of appropriate packaging can result in products being damaged on the way to the buyer and a loss of profit for you, particularly if the item is delicate. Do not forget that unless you are driving the parcels and delivering it to the customer yourself, you will have no control over what happens to it. Your job is to ensure that the items are well protected and safe so that the customer is happy. This will make customers want to do business with you again and support your company. This article will provide you with a guide of solutions on how to pack your delicate products to prevent damage.
Invest in Good Quality Material
As we mentioned previously, business owners may spend much of their time and budget on the actual item and neglect the package it comes in. However, this may result in additional costs for you if something happens when the items are being delivered. Make sure to create a budget for your company that will allow you to spend money on good quality packaging materials for your products.
Use Air Bubble Wrap
Air bubble wrap is one of the most popular ways to safely wrap your items, particularly when they are delicate. This provides the objects with enough cushion in case they fall or someone does not handle the package correctly. Invest in enough of this wrap for your business to ensure your items get to their destination safely.
Be Mindful When Packing Items in Bulk
Sometimes you may need to pack items together rather than one by one. This can be tricky, particularly for sensitive items as they can break or damage if they touch each other for example. A smart way to prevent this from happening is by using paper and plastic banding to keep your products restricted from movement. Investing in a paper banding machine is a smart move if you are growing your business. This may seem like a big investment at first, but it will save you money in the long run.
Pack Each Item Individually
If you can, pack every item individually rather than all together. It may appear cheaper to put everything in one box but you may find that this does not work well for delicate products. If you must use one box only, if this is the customer’s request, for example, you should wrap every product individually. You can use air bubble wrap for each item and this will help you ensure the items are well-protected.
Use a New Box
Even though recycling is generally a good idea, it does not apply to packaging solutions. You may want to reuse a box to send your items, but old boxes will not offer as much protection as a new one. Make sure to use a new box for every product you send. When choosing a box, they should be the right size for your products and of good quality.
Pack with Care
Any customer will notice whenever you have put great amounts of effort into the packaging. Show that you care through this. You should protect your products by cushioning the box with air bubble wrap and then separate the items. One of the general rules to follow is to not include items of different sizes in the same box. Putting bigger items with smaller ones may cause damage.
Go Heavy on Void Fill
As previously discussed, you will not have any control over your package once it is in transit. For this reason, you need to take the appropriate steps to ensure it is as protected as possible. Filling any voids is essential for your delicate products as it will ensure that they cannot move within the box. This will reduce the chances of breakage or damage. Many people often opt for packaging peanuts although this may not be as effective as other materials, such as air bubble wrap as we have mentioned a few times.
Consider Double Boxing
Yes, we understand that using double the amount of boxes will be double the amount of work and cost. However, it is something you must do to ensure your products remain safe. If you really want to go the extra mile, place your items in one box and then place that box inside a bigger box. It should not be much bigger, just enough to offer additional protection. You should also cushion the void between the two boxes to avoid the smaller one from moving around inside.
Tape Well
Can you imagine the nightmare if items just drop out of your box whilst in transit, all because it was not taped well? This happens more often than it should and it is a reminder for individuals to use good quality material and ensure that the boxes are effectively taped. Use packaging tape to seal every seam of the box, including the bottom.
Check The Box Before Sealing
Check everything has been done correctly before you seal your box. Sealing should be the very final step and not done until you are completely sure your products are safely wrapped. Close the box and move it slightly to check whether there is too much movement for your items. If all feels good, seal your box effectively, ready for shipment.
If you have a business and rely on the shipment of your products, you must put the appropriate measures in place to ensure they are safe during transport. You can achieve this by following the tips above so that your products are packed appropriately and get to their destination intact.
