Packaging 101 - Tips & Tricks to Ensure Parcels Arrive Defect-Free

Strong and durable packaging can make or break your parcel — literally. The primary role of packaging is to protect the product from any damage that may arise during the transportation, handling, and storage process. Accidents may happen during the shipping process that is completely out of your control, causing a package to show up at the customer’s doorstep damaged.

Customers who are eagerly waiting for their parcels definitely do not want to receive them damaged. They pay for delivery and expect their purchases to arrive on time, safe and sound. If they receive damaged goods, it casts a bad light on the business and they may choose not to purchase from your e-commerce platform anymore. From the perspective of businesses or e-commerce brands, the packaging is as important as your product. This is because good packaging reduces the occurrence of defective products. According to a research by Chainalytics, damaged items cause inconvenience to customers and lower satisfaction rates, and thus revenue, it comes as no surprise that proper packaging is a critical factor to business success.

Here are some tips and tricks you can follow to ensure that your parcels arrive defect-free to keep the satisfactory rates of your customers high.

Pack fragile items carefully

Packing fragile items for shipping requires some extra attention. The last thing you want is for the item to break on the way to its destination. Fragile items refer to items that are delicate (glassware, electronics, paintings) or are difficult to replace (limited edition figurines, car models). It can include anything from musical instruments to expensive antiques. 

There are some general tips that you can take note of when it comes to packing fragile items correctly.

1. Use a sturdy box — Double wall boxes are the go-to choices for packing fragile items as they offer more protection and are ideal for long journeys. In terms of size, make sure that there is enough space between the item and the walls of the box to include enough padding. 
2. Use plenty of bubble wrap — Make use of air pillows or packing nuts to fill all the empty spaces within the box. You will have to make sure that this object remains as still as possible, even when it’s going through transit so make sure it is packed tightly.
3. Use high-quality packing tape — Tape along the corners of the box and stick a solid piece of tape along the middle, covering every open seam. Check for any potential openings and tape those up too.

The box-in-box method is another great courier packing idea to pack fragile items. As its name suggests, this method uses a second outer box to provide additional support. All you have to do is ensure that the outer box is 14cm larger than the inner one. Place the inner box at the center of the outer box and fill the side spaces with more air pillows or packing peanuts. 

Use the correct box size

When it comes to packaging boxes - size matters. The closer the size is to the item you are shipping, the better. This means that the box should be only slightly larger than the item. There should be enough space for dunnage such as Kraft papers or packing peanuts, which prevents the item from moving around the box during shipping. Any remaining spaces should also be filled with dunnage or air pillows, leaving zero space between the item and the box. Ideally, absolutely nothing should be moving around in the box. 

Wrap items separately

When customers purchase more than one item from your store, it may seem sensible to pack them together, all in one box. This method is fine, but it is best if each item has its own compartment or separate wrapping within the same box. Multiple items in a box increase the chances of them moving around and bumping into each other during transit, which can result in breakage. Wrapping and cushioning each item individually helps to ensure the items won’t move around so much and if they do, they would be protected by ample cushioning. You can also opt for dividers to be placed within the box, as they can prevent damage to individual objects during travel, especially when items are piled. Otherwise, you can place loose objects in an inner container to avoid the items splitting during transportation.

Your customers deserve to receive a carefully packaged parcel that reaches them in good condition. Packaging is one of the ways in which your business gets to interact with the customer, and good packaging will leave a good impression. Adopt these tips and tricks and prevent your products from getting bruised in transit now. Sign up for a DHL Express  account with us today to ensure your parcels arrive safely!