Choose The Right Packaging Materials For Your eCommerce Business

Your first point of contact with customers is not the item inside. Instead, your packaging creates the first impression for you and your brand. That’s why it’s crucial to choose the right packaging materials. Avoid disappointment and earn repeat buyers by following this guide. 

Importance of Proper Product Packaging

Businesses, regardless of their size, understand the vital effects of packaging. 

Package protection

The primary purpose of selecting the right packaging materials is to keep your items safe and secure during transit. Therefore, it is not just an appealing box. Instead, it must provide maximum safe keeping. This way, it will reach your customer’s doorstep intact.

Create valuable touch-point

Your packaging and product resemble your brand. So it’s essential to make it attractive, presentable, and sturdy to keep your packages safe. In addition, excellent feedback leaves an imprint on your customer’s mind. As a result, they’ll stay connected with you and become your loyal client. 

Build brand awareness

It might not be obvious, but brand advocacy is one of the advantages of attractive product packaging. Your packaging material also speaks about what you sell. Also, it showcases how you value the content and the client’s perception. So don’t hesitate to pick the best packing materials, as it influences the customer’s purchasing decision. 

Different Types of Packaging Materials

eCommerce businesses have a wide range of options when it comes to packaging materials. Some are safe for the environment, while others are not. Be an advocate of maintaining a greener package with the following packaging materials. 

Bags and Envelopes 

Plastic mailing bags, poly mailers, and Tyvek envelopes are strong, lightweight, waterproof, and self-sealing. Plus, you can store it anywhere. Also, it is perfect for light and durable products. Most importantly, it is customizable and promotes zero-waste alternatives. 

Quick Tip!

Plastic bags and envelopes are the right packaging materials for clothing items. In addition, you can use it for small, boxed products. Instead of over boxing, slid it in a poly mailer. 

Corrugated Boxes

Corrugated boxes are widely used packaging materials. It is sturdy, durable, and recyclable. Plus, it doesn’t add weight to your parcel. It is also available in double-walled corrugated boxes. Use it if your products are heavy and need extra strength and protection. However, it is pricier compared to standard corrugated boxes. Don’t forget to place plain brown cardboard on top. It provides a better security measure if you ship high-value items. 

Quick Tip!

Get the right size of the box. Oversized boxes mean more infill, which equates to additional weight and shipping costs. Also, most customers are not fond of dealing with big boxes. 

Padded Mailers

Padded envelopes offer extra protection for small, flat, and delicate items. In addition, some are recyclable, depending on what materials made the pads. For example, you can reuse padded envelopes filled with shredded paper. Although bubble wrap padded mailers provide more protection, it is not an excellent green option.

Quick Tip!

Ship your handcrafted goods, books, jewelry, and electronics with padded mailers. If you want to secure your delicate and valuable items, you may insert additional bubble wrap or recyclable paper. 

Custom Product Packaging

Create a one-of-a-kind unboxing experience by customizing your boxes. Customers will appreciate, remember, and even share it with others. Furthermore, custom packaging helps you fir your products precisely. So, it ensures a snug and secure shipment. In addition, customized product packaging is more accessible. 

Quick Tip!

Be creative. When printing and customizing, incorporate your brand in the box. You can add gift wrap, tissue, packing slips, etc. Don’t forget to display your logo and design outside the box. 

Other Essential Packaging Materials for your eCommerce Business

The right packaging materials are not about where you put your products before shipping. It includes other elements, too, that work in tandem. For example, to create a memorable unboxing experience, use the following product packaging supplies. 

Filler

When shipping your product in a box, you need to keep it still from moving during transit. It ensures your customer’s order arrives undamaged. 

Traditional fillers are air pillows, bubble wrap, foam inserts, and Styrofoam packing peanuts. Other packing fillers are wood fiber (excelsior) and brown or colored crinkle paper. Before, customers enjoyed popping bubble wrap every time they received their package. However, it is not as environment-friendly and appealing as other infills. 

Quick Tip!

You can use any kind of filler as you see fit. No one-size-fits any type of packaging material for your eCommerce business. Be strategic and choose the appropriate style for your product and shipping. 

Tape 

A clear packing tape keeps your shipping box intact. It protects all the sides and seams from water, heat, and humidity. So it is essential to pick the right packaging tape. 

A transparent acrylic tape is more affordable but a lesser green choice. It supports packages weighing up to 15 lbs. On the other hand, the water-activated tape is more secure and can handle boxes over 25 lbs. Although you can recycle it, it is much pricier. 

Quick Tip!

You can personalize your tapes, too! Use a variety of colorful adhesive tapes that complements your custom product packaging. It provides you instant brand recognition. So your customers can never forget you. 

Customized Tissue Paper

Add color with tissue paper to hype the customer’s excitement. Then, instead of seeing their order right after opening the box, you can build their anticipation more. It is big plus for their unboxing experience.

Quick Tip!

You can create a custom-print tissue to make your client feel extra special. Wrap it around your valuable item. Make sure your brand logo is the first thing they see on the paper. 

Sticker

Applying a sticker is an easy and cheap way to brand your package. It is functional, versatile, and affordable. Also, you can customize it as a “Thank You” note for the purchase. 

Quick Tip!

Secure the tissue paper around the items with a sticker. Then, decorate it around the box, envelope, or bag. Also, you can insert a few extra stickers in the package. It might look like freebies, but it’s free brand advertising too. 

Packing Slip and Receipt

A receipt is a vital component for the right packaging materials. Businesses often overlook it, but customers check it. For example, they review if everything they ordered is in their package. In addition, a custom packing slip is another method to build brand awareness. 

Quick Tip!

Create a memorable packing slip. First, make sure it complements the customer’s order. Then, place it in the package where it makes sense. It’s not supposed to be seen immediately, but make it obvious it is available inside too. 

A thriving eCommerce business takes time and effort to choose the right packaging materials. The box, envelope, tape, and infill convey a message to your customer. So you have to be careful and mindful while preparing and securing orders. So look for shipping providers with the same goal as you. Red Stag Fulfillment provides all the right packaging materials you need for your business to ship. Also, it commits to using eco-friendly packaging materials.