Are you using the correct packaging?

Packaging can often be overlooked as a waste product, essential, but not usually useful once its arrived with consumers. However, there are still many things to consider when choosing your packaging and how you will use it. Not only does packaging protect products, but it can also help with your marketing strategy by promoting your brand, providing useful information and improving the unboxing experience of your product.

How much protection does your product need?

This is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing your packaging for your products, as packaging that doesn’t give adequate protection is pointless. Certain items such as clothing don’t usually require much protection other than to keep dirt and dust off them. This is where your polythene bags and mailing bags come into use. However, most products tend to need a bit more protection, and that’s where packaging such as padded envelopes, book wraps and postal boxes come into play. These types of packaging are perfect for smaller items needing moderate protection. Bulkier and heavier items are better off going into corrugated cardboard boxes. Even within this range, there are single, double and triple wall variations, with the more walls offering more protection and being able to bear more weight. As a rule of thumb single wall boxes can hold up to 10kg, double wall boxes up to 30kg and triple wall boxes up to 50kg (all weights being evenly dispersed). Some Boxes come with adhesive strips to seal them but if not, make sure you use packing tape or glue to seal them so that your items are safe and secure. If by chance you are transporting hazardous goods you may have to look into using UN certified packaging for the specific products. Here is a list of goods that require special packaging. In the long run giving your products adequate protection will save your money from preventing goods being damaged and having to replace them, even if it means spending a bit more on your packaging initially.

Budgeting

Although functionality is of huge importance when choosing your packaging, you also need to consider how much you are prepared to spend on your packaging. Check the amount of packaging you use and try to determine whether you need all of it. By reducing the amount of packaging, you use and/or using smaller sized packaging you will save money when purchasing them and when transporting them due to less space being used when transporting them.

You can also save money by opting for unbranded versions of products. A pack of 50 Davpack self-sealing econoBook boxes costs just £24.70, whereas the closest branded equivalent costs £42.73 for the same amount. The branded version does offer certain features that the other doesn’t, however both still offer excellent protection, so consider what is important to you when choosing your packaging and how much you are willing to spend on it. For more information on reducing your packaging costs check out our blog here.

To save yourself some time and money consider having packaging that is flexible and can adapt to different products. For example, rather than having 6 different sizes of packaging for 6 products try and have 3 different sizes of packaging that are suitable for 2 products each. Our Adjustable Boxes are a great choice of flexible packaging, they are easily adapted to the product by cutting down to the pre scored creases at the corners so you can fold the flaps down to give a tight fit. This can help save you storage space and money as well as increasing the efficiency of your packing process.

Customer Experience

As mentioned at the start, packaging can be a useful tool as part of your marketing strategy, whether you aim to grab the attention of potential customers with your packaging or reinforce your brand image through your style of packaging. Custom printed packaging is a great way to put your brand out there and gain awareness as it has a visible presence. Packaging such as boxes, tape, mailing bags and carrier bags are great for custom printing and draw attention to your brand.

If you are selling a premium product it’s wise to make sure that your packaging reflects that to reinforce the brand image. This effect can be achieved by choosing your packaging based on the quality of finish and style and then adding certain additions (such as tissue paper) to enhance the look and feel of your packaging.

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Sarah Hickson

With more than seven years experience as a member of the Davpack sales team, there are few who know more about the range of packaging materials we sell than Sarah. She recently left the company to become a full-time mother, but still maintains regular contact with her former colleagues. As well as sharing her own accumulated wisdom and experience on the blog, Sarah is looking forward to passing on stories from the front line of packaging sales. Davpack

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