How to Safely Package and Pack for Shipping

Safely packaging and shipping products is as important in the fulfillment process as actually getting an order in. Products and orders returned broken and unusable from customers will cut your bottomline in half, decrease customer satisfaction, and affect your brand as a whole. A good way to prevent this is by having a thorough understanding of how to pack your products to ensure safety and a pleasant unboxing experience. 

Understand the unboxing experience. With the explosion of social media, unboxing videos have become popular content for some creators. While we’re not saying you need to be as on the ball as some of these retailers when you create your unboxing experience, you should keep it in mind. 

Depending on the product, customers may have a different expectation of how it will look when they open it up. When packing, arrange your items as they will appear when your customer opens the box. Understand the experience they want to have as well as what you want to offer as a brand. 

If you sell D2C, know that it will be an individual consumer opening up your product and they may want to feel valued when they open the box. On the other hand, if your business supplies large retailers, they may want easy unpacking so they can more quickly stock shelves. Aesthetics will matter less to them, instead opting for something more efficient. 

Know what box sizes work best for your products. A bigger box isn’t always a better box, especially when shipping fragile items. In fact, the best way to keep your items safe is by limiting the amount of movement during shipping. As well, larger boxes mean less efficient bulk shipping leading to higher costs. 

The safest, most efficient way to ship products is in a box that allows for extra padding, but still doesn’t allow shifting. This usually equates to about two inches around your product, allowing for padding and easy unboxing upon arrival. A 3PL partner that provides pick and pack services would be able to find custom boxes for all of your product necessities. 

Keep your products safe with high quality supplies. High quality packing supplies is considered an investment when shipping products. You may save on the outset by purchasing lower quality boxes and stuffing supplies, but you’ll pay for it eventually with product replacements and customer returns. 

Make sure that boxes are sturdy, with a strong bottom. Consider using high quality bubble wrap and don’t skimp on packing supplies in order to cut costs. Ultimately, like with box size, the ultimate goal is to make sure the product doesn’t shift in transit but is still easy to unpack for the consumer. 

Make sure it’s secure. Tape it up, label it fragile if necessary, and consider a shipping partner that has special handling if applicable. Security isn’t just about making sure the box is closed. It’s also about making sure that the package is taken care of in transit. 

Packaging can be tricky, from its design to how it needs to be shipped. CRWS provides clients with product packaging as well as customized shipping materials that can keep your product safe and provide customers with a better overall experience. Contact CRWS 3PL Warehousing Solutions & Logistics today to see how we provide you with a flexible solution for your business.