E-commerce has become a major industry since online shopping emerged and it’s showing no signs of slowing down. Many businesses recognise online shopping as a crucial opportunity for growth, and rightly so, but it’s also important to be adequately prepared. It’s easy to overlook the need for packaging and office supplies until a rush of orders are received and need to be delivered.
Not only will the right supplies ensure the smooth running of your e-commerce business, but they should also ensure that your items are packaged safely and securely to avoid any damage during transit. With an abundance of goods being sent via our courier networks each day, it’s never been so important that goods are appropriately packaged, to ensure their safe arrival.
We have been supplying businesses in e-commerce ever since e-commerce began, and we have outlined the top ten supplies you will need from packaging products, to essentials for the break room. Read on to find our top picks so that you’re well equipped for the orders coming your way.
Boxes or cartons
Boxes or stock cartons are the bread and butter of e-commerce because they keep your products safe, secure and protected throughout their delivery journey. You can find the perfectly sized stock carton to suit your products or combine multiple products for one collective order. Having a month’s worth of boxes on hand is a good start and then you can assess how many you need going forward. As they arrive flat-pack they are easy to store, so it’s worth having extra for when the business takes off.
If you’re wondering which boxes to choose from, we recommend starting with fishtail cartons which are sturdy, efficient and designed for fast-paced e-commerce businesses. Our fishtail cartons are designed so that the base folds out and locks into place without any need for glue or tape so you can cut down assembly time dramatically.
Delivery instruction labels
It doesn’t matter how efficient your packing methods are if the people delivering your packages don’t have adequate instruction. Depending on your products, you might need labels that indicate the package is fragile, heavy, urgent, or should be stored a certain way. That’s why adhesive labels with clear, visible messaging are essential for sending out any orders.
For packages that cannot be crushed or bent, a label with ‘Top Stow’ or ‘Fragile’ is a great option. Another popular option is the 'Urgent! Medical' label ensures a prompt delivery for any time-sensitive health-related orders. To keep your orders protected, find the best labels to suit your e-commerce business in our full range.
Doculopes
Every order needs to include a shipping receipt and delivery information, so why not combine both in one convenient place? Doculopes are waterproof to keep receipts protected and display the shipping details for transportation.
Ideally, doculopes should be easy to spot and made with strong plastic to ensure the delivery goes smoothly. For example, Primepac offers high visibility doculopes with a bright red background and toughened plastic for durability.
Pallet wrap
If you’re sending out a large number of orders, you’ll need to consider the best kind of pallet wrap for your needs. Pallet wrap or grip film is crucial for keeping orders contained, protected and safe to transport on a pallet.
At Primepac, we stock the one-of-a-kind GRIP system that gives you agility and increased productivity when wrapping pallets. It has a twist lock applicator to make replacing used rolls much faster and a skid-plate which helps to wrap corners efficiently.
Resealable bags
Resealable bags are an innovation that has revolutionised packaging because they’re easier and faster than using traditional sealing methods. If you want to keep wasted time to a minimum, opting for resealable bags is a great place to start.
We recommend looking at Quik-seal bags which are made of transparent, low-density polyethene with built-in airtight reusable seals. But, if your products are heavy or sharp, you might want to opt for heavy-duty resealable bags made of heavy gauge plastic.
Bubble wrap
Bubble wrap is a packing staple for many e-commerce businesses because it keeps products safe and secure in transit. Bubble wrap provides a protective layer to cushion goods from the inevitable knocks during delivery so that anything fragile or sensitive arrives in good condition.
You can use large rolls, dispenser boxes or bags to conveniently package your orders. There are also a few things that can help streamline your packing processes, such as a roll dispenser or anti-static wrap.
Corrugated cardboard
Another vital packing material, corrugated cardboard is flexible, recyclable and versatile. It’s perfect for orders with irregular shapes or difficult-to-wrap items and you can get different-sized rolls of corrugated cardboard to suit your needs. To simplify your workflow, you can also use cardboard pallet pads and roll dispensers.
Maestro economy tape
A good quality packing tape is an essential part of any e-commerce business because it keeps orders contained and secure. When choosing a tape, make sure to look for one with a strong adhesive, good tear resistance and enough width to securely close your boxes. For example, we recommend looking at this Maestro economy packaging tape which delivers excellent results for a more affordable price.
A4 copy paper
From records to invoices, the need for paper in e-commerce is substantial so it’s important to have it ready in advance. We recommend keeping each of your printers well stocked so that you can prepare paperwork as soon as possible.
It’s worth investing in a multi-functional copy paper like Yes Paper. At 80gsm it can be used in printers, photocopiers or fax machines.
Tea and coffee
Keeping your employees properly fuelled is a crucial part of the packing process and contributes greatly to morale. Tea and coffee are office staples and it is a longstanding custom for employers to keep these stocked up.
If you want to ensure your team is refreshed and energised, opting for resealable Moccona coffee tins and tea bags is a great solution. It’s generally more cost-effective to buy these in bulk and have a couple of months worth on hand to ensure that you don’t run out.
When running an e-commerce business, it always pays to have the right supplies. Stocking up your supply cupboards with the 10 items featured above is a great first step in ensuring that you have the essentials to keep your business running smoothly. Investing in quality packaging items will also ensure that you’ll be able to securely and efficiently deliver orders to your customers.
Being prepared is important because it allows you to operate with fewer awkward delays and keeps everything moving like clockwork. If you want to make the most of e-commerce, investing in the right packing tools and materials is the natural place to start.
For everything you need in one convenient place, check out our downloadable e-commerce catalogue.
