If you are new to online sales, it’s important to understand the differences between e-commerce packaging and packaging for shipments moving by truck or rail. When shipping directly to consumers, your secondary packaging materials must address these issues with extreme care.
Key E-Commerce Packaging Issues
- Product protection. Packages shipped via USPS or parcel shippers are handled more often — and often more roughly — than items on nice, neat pallets nestled tightly in a truck trailer.
- Exposure to the environment. Parcel shipments may sit on the consumer’s doorstep in extremely hot, cold, windy or rainy weather, possibly for a long time.
- Convenience. Consumers are finicky when it comes to opening packages and disposing of packaging materials.
- Safety. Certain packaging materials, such as metal staples, can cause minor injuries — which become major branding problems if your customer talks about them on social media.
- Eco-friendliness. Customers prefer packaging that is easily recycled and made from recycled materials. Any packaging perceived as wasteful can cost you a reorder or brand-damaging social media exposure.
- Cost. For parcel shipments, every pound matters. For USPS shipments, every ounce matters. Lightweight packaging adds up to big savings that help the bottom line and establish a competitive advantage. Selecting packaging designs and materials must balance cost with function much more precisely than what is required for many standard packaging applications.
- Returnability. If you sell products that may be returned, you’ll want an exterior package that the consumer doesn’t have to destroy when opening. In cases where returns are expected or encouraged, you’ll want to consider a custom design that easily turns your shipping container into a container ready for the consumer to ship back to you.
- Branding. Secondary packaging can carry a powerful message that enhances your image, encourages reorders and generates positive social media exposure. Logos and branding graphics/text can be accomplished through printed boxes or mailers, printed box sealing tapes, labels, ink-jet printers and other means. We can help you figure out the best approach for your budget, packaging operation and customer base.
- Confidentiality. On the flip side of branding, consumers of some products — electronics, personal care items, etc. — prefer to buy confidentially to avoid embarrassment or prevent theft. As with all of the issues described here, it is critical for you to understand the preferences of your target customers — your e-commerce packaging matters a great deal to them.
E-Commerce Packaging Options
As specialists in e-commerce packaging, we can help you select the right materials and packaging designs to make sure all the bases detailed above are covered. Here is an overview of high-level, significant packaging material and design choices you’ll no doubt be weighing:
- Shipping container. Standard RSC boxes (with flaps that meet in the center) are easy to open, familiar to consumers, and can be made to withstand tough handling and environmental conditions. Bubble-padded mailers are another good option, low in cost and able to provide good moisture protection and cushioning. Mailing tubes may also work well — strong, easy to open, easy to reuse and lightweight.
- Closure. Boxes sealed with reinforced paper tape or plastic tape are fairly simple to open, and provide a degree of moisture protection — unlike staples and glue, which leave any gaps in the box flaps exposed. Paper tape may be perceived as being better for the environment than plastic.
- Inner packaging. For void fill and/or cushioning, be wary of plastic “peanuts,” which have a bad environmental image and are messy for consumers to handle and discard. Shredded paper materials are “greener,” but also messy and heavy. Bubble packaging, flexible polyethylene or polypropylene foams provide excellent product protection and are lightweight, but are relatively expensive. Inflatable air pillows are an appealing option, lower in cost and highly functional. You may want to consider custom corrugated inserts or partitions. We can help you sort the alternatives.
There are many issues to weigh when considering e-commerce packaging options that will meet your customer, cost and functional requirements. Making the right choices will lead to satisfied customers, repeat orders and excellent brand building.
Please contact us now to discuss your application and talk through your best packaging options.