The holiday season is upon us and hopefully, your business is super busy! That can mean that you do a lot more shipping whether you operate a brick-and-mortar shop or an eCommerce site. Online sales are still soaring with the pandemic still raging. It’s likely that you are spending a lot more time preparing and shipping gift boxes from online sales. The trick is to protect the contents adequately and safely, so your customers have a great unboxing experience. Online businesses and individual sellers alike need inexpensive shipping and packing materials that can do the job right. Here are some of our top packing tips for shipping gift boxes during the holidays and any time of year.
Packing Materials for Protecting and Shipping Gift Boxes
Packing Peanuts
One of the oldest fillers for packaging and shipping gift boxes is packing peanuts. They are a lightweight option, and they don’t break down during shipping. They are not ideal because Styrofoam takes so long to break down in landfills, but they are recyclable.
Newspapers
Newspapers are a great option for packing your box’s contents. They are biodegradable and can be burned in landfills. Newspapers are a versatile packing option as they can be shredded or crinkled to make the filler. Also, the sheets can be used for wrapping individual items.
Bubble Wrap
If you need to add extra cushion to your package, bubble wrap is a good option. This is a popular and efficient item, however, like packing peanuts, it’s not environmentally friendly. It is reusable and some shipping companies offer recycling options.
Combining Packing Materials
Many businesses are offering custom box subscriptions for their customers. You may be placing a decorative box inside a shipping box before shipping it to its final destination. Combining two or more of the packaging materials can offer insulation that will protect your logo imprinted box or other customized gift box during shipping. Secure your specialty box by placing bubble wrap next to the box. Then, use shredded or crumpled newspapers around the bubble wrap. Double packing secures the specialty box and prevents scratches or damage to the box’s exterior.
4 Shipping and Packing Tips
Here are four general tips for shipping gift boxes:
- Use a box that is heavy enough to handle the content’s weight and size. The shipping carton should be tough enough to handle the journey.
- Wrap items separately and place plenty of cushion between them. (bubble wrap, peanuts, newspapers)
- Seal the box using strapping tape since it’s strong enough to hold the box shut.
- Make sure the label, including the return address, is printed clearly and legibly.
You may also want to purchase insurance for higher-priced items being shipped. Generally, items over $500 should be insured. Insurance is relatively inexpensive depending on the amount being insured.
The Ultimate Goal
When you secure your custom boxes and their contents you provide customers with a great unboxing experience. It will be one they will remember for years to come and in the long run, you’ll be building brand loyalty.
