Customers want to receive their packages safely and in a timely manner. The way you package your products can determine whether they show up on customers’ doorsteps in pieces or not at all. Here are some mistakes to avoid when packaging products for shipping to reduce product damage and boost customer satisfaction.
The Wrong Size
How big is your product and how big is the envelope or box you’re using to ship it? If there’s an obvious discrepancy in size, you’ve got a problem on your hands. Ideally, the envelope or box you use to ship your product should be only slightly larger than the product itself. If a package is too small, the product won’t fit, but if the package is too large, the product can shift around inside.
You should also make sure to choose the right kind of material for your product. Corrugated boxes work for most items, but food items generally require slightly more consideration. Insulated foam containers are great for items that need to remain at a certain temperature.
The Wrong Materials
The next mistake to avoid when packaging products for shipping is using the wrong materials. By materials, we mean fillers and wrap. Fillers are what you put inside of your packages (foam peanuts, cardboard, bubble wrap, etc.) to fill in extra space and to prevent damage to your items. You want to fill as much space as possible without adding too much extra weight and racking up the packaging cost.
Wrap describes the stretch or shrink wrap that is affixed to the outside of your packages. They might sound similar, but they’re not the same thing. Stretch wrap is ideal for shipping items in bulk on pallets. It secures each item together and protects them, ensuring that all items make it to their final destination in one piece. Shrink wrap is for individual products or smaller bundles of objects (bottled drinks, for example). Make sure to use the right one when packaging your product. You can check out the wrap solutions available from suppliers like Packaging Chimp to ensure that you choose the right kind of wrap for each specific package, guaranteeing smooth deliveries and happy customers.
Too Much Tape or Glue
You want your product to stay protected. Doesn’t it make sense to use a ton of packing tape or glue? The more there is, the less likely it is that your product will fall out of the package. There’s just one problem. If you use too much, your package will be ridiculously hard to open, which can frustrate customers.
Use only as much packing tape or glue as necessary and avoid the temptation to go overboard. Using at least three pieces of tape—one across the top and two along the sides—is the recommended minimum for boxes. One or two layers of glue on top is usually enough, but for larger and heavier items, you may need more. Envelopes require less packing tape and glue than boxes.
