Packaging: A Beginner’s Guide

As an e-commerce seller, especially one that’s just starting out, you might be unaware of just how important packaging is. It’s essential that you choose packaging that will properly protect and fit whatever product you are shipping out, ensuring that it gets from point A to point B unscathed.

Packaging is also an important part of the presentation of your products. When your customers pick up their package from their mailbox or doorstep, it will be the first physical interaction they have with your product. Therefore, it’s important that you also have packaging that is visually pleasing and shows the time and care you put into your brand. In this sense, packaging is an extension of the product itself.

So, what kinds of packaging are out there, and what do you need to know about packaging for your business? We’ve worked with many e-commerce businesses over the years, and in doing so, have learned many tips related to packaging. Read on to learn more and see how you can improve your store’s packaging.

Mailers, Boxes, and Flat Rates: What’s the Difference?

When it comes to the types of packaging you can ship out your products in, there are generally 3 different types: Mailers, Boxes, and Flat Rates.

Mailers

Available in a variety of enveloped packaging, mailers are a great option for shipping small, lighter items. A couple of examples of items that do well being shipped in mailers are clothing and jewelry. Mailers are less expensive to purchase and to ship, but their protections are also generally lower than boxes.

Boxes

Boxes offer high protection for your products and are great for multiple product orders. These generally have a medium to high cost to them. Their shipping cost can range from very low, almost as inexpensive as mailers, to very expensive depending on the weight of the package. This weight is measured through dimensional weight, a weight calculated by the shipping carrier to determine shipping costs.

Flat Rates

Flat Rates are a mixture of mailers and boxes. These are free and available through USPS. Their shipping cost is very low, they have high protection, and there’s no weight limit. So, regardless of where you’re shipping a Flat Rate package to, it will cost the same no matter what the contents of the package.

How Unique Should My Packaging Be?

One question many sellers have is whether or not they should have unique packaging for orders. However, there are both pros and cons to having customized packaging.

Pros

Customized Packages are a Nice Surprise

If you take the time to personalize your packaging by adding your company logo to the box or designing a package that reflects your brand, your customers will be captivated. Even though the packaging will likely be thrown away after being opened, customers will remember how special you made them feel and how nice it felt to open your package.

Personalized Touch

By adding a personalized touch in the form of notes, stickers, or other small add-ins to thank customers once they open their package, customers can feel more connected to you and your products. Additionally, they’ll remember this feeling and will want to shop with you again.

Cons

Cost Prohibitive

It costs more to make unique packaging. So, if you’re a new seller or running slim on profit margins, you might lose money by implementing unique packaging. If it’s likely you’ll lose money customizing your packages, you should probably hold off on doing so for now.

Potential Theft

An unfortunate result of creating customized packaging for your business is that your packages are more likely to be stolen. Everyone will be more drawn to your packages the nicer you make them look, even those you’d rather not notice.

If you do have the means to purchase things like personalized mailers and boxes or to create add-ins for your packages, make sure you’re not spending too much on this and that the design authentically reflects your brand. However, at the end of the day, it’s not necessary to have unique packaging, especially when you’re just starting out and funds are tight. Additionally, don’t let low funds stop you from adding a personal touch to your packages. A simple handwritten “thank you” note can do wonders when it comes to making customers feel connected to you and giving your orders that personal touch.