For many businesses, particularly eCommerce sites, packaging and shipping your products is a daily task. While having the ability for your customers to shop online is incredibly convenient and cost effective for both you and them, the cost of packing and shipping these products can add up quickly.
But there are some ways you can save money on packaging, while still ensuring your products arrive to your customers safely. Read on to find out how.
Consider shipping sizes
Most courier companies will have standard dimensions they use to calculate shipping costs. Make sure you know the standard sizes your shipping company uses, and try to keep your boxes and cartons within these dimensions where you can. If you need to post items larger than the standard dimensions, try to keep the shipment as small as possible to avoid any unnecessary extra costs.
Also take the time to research different courier companies to be sure you're getting the best deal in every area you're shipping to. A couple of dollars difference a week can really add up in the long run!
Use the right materials
Using the right materials to package your product will ultimately save you money on product damage (even if you have to spend a little more on the packaging materials). Be sure to consider the weight of the item, the environment the shipment will be exposed to, the size and shape of the item, and the fragility of the item itself.
If you're shipping larger items on a pallet, ensure you use an economical pallet wrap that uses thin film technology to effectively wrap your products while using less wrap. There are many different packaging products out there, so it's important to do your research to ensure you're using the best option for your shipment.
Pack properly
Many companies try to save money by under filling boxes or not using the appropriate cushioning. But this can result in a damaged goods, which ultimately costs you more money and leads to unhappy customers.
Make sure any items sent in boxes are filled with the appropriate void fillers - such as scrunched up kraft paper, corrugated cardboard or air bubble, so your items can’t move around too much. Also ensure you use appropriate packaging for larger container or truck shipments to avoid pallets moving during transport, and avoid cramming too much product into the load.
Instructions and branding
Customised packaging can be a popular choice for businesses. But while custom boxes and bags can look great, they may not be the most economical choice for your business. Another option is the use branded or custom printed packaging tape. This gives you the option to use your branding on any box or carton required, and there is less waste if you decide to rebrand or change your custom message. Make sure you use good quality packaging tape so your items stay safe inside the box.
Using bright, adhesive labels can be helpful in ensuring recipients and delivery personnel see specific messages like “This way up” or “Keep Chilled”. There are many different types, sizes, shapes and colours, and it’s best to use bright colours with black print so that your message is easy to read. Labels are a great way to help protect your products during transit and save money on damaged shipments by making sure the people handling your products have the right instructions.
So there are four simple ways you can look at reducing the cost of packaging for your shipments. Why not research Primepac's range of packaging materials, to see if they'd be suitable for your business needs.
