Shipment preparation: A guide to mailing boxes & packing materials

Packaging plays an integral role in your e-commerce business. For example, having proper packaging and getting your goods to your customers in great condition can leave a positive first impression. Read along further as we explore the different types of packaging materials and mailing boxes, and the factors you should consider when selecting the right packaging for your products. 

Proper packing of your parcels not only ensures safety during the shipping process but also helps you earn the trust of your customers, since they know that they can rely on you for quality products.

While businesses can come up with creative ways for packaging to give a great unboxing experience, packaging your  products properly can save you money and achieve customer satisfaction at the same time. 

Why are packaging materials necessary?

Good packaging is essential for businesses for several reasons:

• It helps protect the product from damages that may be caused during transit.

• It saves you the money you will have to spend to send a replacement product in place of a damaged one.

• An adequately packed product lets the customer perceive your brand as reliable and trustworthy, especially with the meticulousness displayed in ensuring the item is safely packed.

• Good packaging helps retain customers as they are satisfied with your service.

What type of packing materials are used for shipments?

To pack a product properly, you must use suitable packing material. These materials can be divided into the following categories:

1.  External materials

The outer packing material not only makes up the mailing box but also refers to additional layers to protect the items within the package. Here’s a breakdown of the necessities: 

• Corrugated cardboard box: This is the most popular packaging box used worldwide. Depending on the product you are packing, you can choose the different sizes and layerings of these shipping boxes.

• Stretch film: An outer material that companies use to store multipacks of products, for example, water bottles, juice cartons and tissue rolls, stretch films help ensure load containment so that the products don’t collapse or move around during shipping.

• Shrink film: While offering the same function as that of the stretch film, the shrink film takes it up a notch – the film is stretched and then shrunk over the product using heat to create a much tighter packing. These are often used on board games, perfumes and electronic products. Businesses can also opt for printed shrink films which they can ink on their logo or other relevant product or brand information. 

2. Internal materials

The two most common internal materials which you can use for packaging before placing your product inside the packaging box are polybags made from polyethylene and bubble wrap. Once you have wrapped the products with a suitable internal material, you can use internal package fillers to provide added cushioning to the product. You may consider bubble wrapping the products wrapped in shrink films too.

3. Filing materials 

Package filling materials are used to provide cushioning to products when placed in postage or mailing boxes. These packaging fillers include:

• Packing peanuts

• Styrofoam inserts

• Corrugated boards

• Cardboard inserts

• Crumpled paper

• Shredded paper void fill

• Expanded Polystyrene Foam (EPS)

• Polyethylene Foam Sheeting

• Encapsulated-Air Plastic Sheeting

• Kraft paper

What is important when choosing packaging materials for products?

Considering the following factors when choosing packing materials for shipment preparation can keep your products safe as they travel from your warehouse to the customer: 

• Durability: Choosing a particular material will ultimately depend on the type of product. The packing material should be durable so that the product is not damaged during shipping.

• Food items: For shipping perishable food items, select a material such as an insulated styrofoam container that will ensure the freshness of the product. Adding a watertight plastic liner can also prevent the food from melting or thawing. 

• Cost: The packing material should not be so costly that you end up transferring that cost to the customer, who will not be too happy with this increased price. This also means choosing a widely available material so that you can get your hands on as much as you require.

• User-friendliness: It should be easy to use during packing and easy to open for the customer.

• Legality: The packaging material must conform to state and federal laws. A good place to learn more about circular economy packaging is the Australian Packaging Covenant.

• Recyclability: Choose a material that will allow your customers to recycle; one of the many ways you can drive sustainable business operations and reduce your carbon footprint.