You may think that your carpet or rug is the perfect place to start packing your orders, but you'd be wrong. Not only is your floor generally uneven, which will be a nuisance when coming to pack everything together, but you'll also find that unless you're an impeccably clean person, there will be all manner of goodies just waiting to get trapped inside your customer's package. These goodies mentioned are things such as food bits, fluff, dust and bodily hair!
Absolutely anything and everything will get its way into your order, and it's best avoided from the offset. The last thing your customer wants is to find some belly button fluff stuck to their brand-new gadget.
Give your back a break and find an elevated, clean, flat and sturdy surface that will make packing your items a breeze. If you only pack up around 10 parcels per day, then the dining room table should suffice, but any more than this, and you should consider investing in a sole-purpose desk.
2. Padded Envelopes
When it comes down to your customers, you'll need to make sure that their items get to them in the way that they are meant to. This doesn't mean that you should pack every item using all the wrapping that you have as, apart from giant overkill, this can become costly, very fast.
Some items you post are more than happy to be slipped inside a padded mailer. These handy envelopes are essentially simple 'Kraft' envelopes with an internal layer of bubble wrap. In most cases, if the item is flat,, then it will be amply protected and will be cheaper than putting it in a bulky box with bubble wrap. This saves on time, packaging costs and also means that the recipient doesn't need to stay in for their item as it can easily fit in their letterbox.
3. Pop, pop, pop!
We all love that popping sound when we've unwrapped something fragile. There's a reason that expensive item is wrapped in bubble wrap. Quite simply, bubble wrap works. It's cheap, doesn't add that much to the packaging bulk, and it's available from most good packaging retailers and the post office.
If it's valuable or fragile, then it's worth investing in bubble wrap.
4. Postage Pricing
For goodness’s sake, it's confusing enough attempting to calculate your costs of shipping an item with all the expenditure of packaging supplies, so take 5 minutes out of your working day and get familiar with a pricing chart. It has clear and concise measurements and weights, so you won't have any nasty surprises when you come to pay for your postage.
5. Written Address vs. Typed Address
Do yourself a favor earlier rather than later and invest in a thermal printer. Although a little on the expensive side initially, you won't have to pay for any expensive ink as the address is heat printed on.
6. Is It Waterproof?
It's possibly the last thing that many sellers think of, is your parcel waterproof, or at least water/splash resistant?
Due to the nature of the postal system, your parcel will eventually find its way outside, where it's open to the elements. You need to be confident that your parcel can survive small splashes, an unexpected downpour and even a drop on the floor (into a puddle).
Not only will the excess water potentially damage your items inside, but it may also increase your parcel weight, making it fall onto the next price bracket. This is unfortunate for you and completely unprofessional according to your customer.
Simple precautions can reduce the risk of this happening. Try putting your packaging in plastic wrapping or even purchasing some waterproof spray. Both of these act as a good water barrier.
7. Prying Eyes
People are not always as honest as you may think. Although it is a touchy subject for many people, you need to be aware that your parcel always has the potential to go missing. It's often the parcels that are shaped very obviously or parcels that are not very well disguised.
If you have any extra padding and are still within the price scale for posting, it may be worth taking advantage of this and bulking out your parcels. This way, no-one will know what's in the package apart from you, and its recipient.
8. Customer Service All The Way
The customer is always right. Although this isn't always the case, it's best to impress them from the word 'go'. If it's cost-effective and looks good, you could try writing a handwritten message of thanks.
You may think this is a waste of time, but it is proven that things like this will stick in your customer's mind long after they have received their item, possible converting them into a repeat customer.
9. Get Some Scales
Almost everyone has a set of scales in their kitchen. Although not suitable to accurately measure the weight of parcels, you should always take advantage of this essential tool every time you're calculating postage prices.
Better still, buy some weighing scales specifically designed for traders as they often come with a more useful set of tools such as a tube holder (if you're posting rolled up drawings and posters), and different sized trays, depending on what you're selling.
10. Bulk It Out
Although paying for postage stamps that you don't need on the day sounds foolish, this could save you some serious money eventually. Postage prices typically increase with very little warning, and so having a large book of first class stamps ensures that you still have the same service from the stamp. What you paid 63 pence for could be worth 75+ pence in the near future. This doesn't seem like a lot of money, but if you're only posting out small envelopes, then this can save you a lot of money over the course of the week.
Easy disposal
The custom boxes created using eco-friendly methods are easily disposable, and they don't dispose of harmful material in the environment. The cardboard boxes are recyclable and can be used in multiple ways. Furthermore, They are cost-effective because it can help to cut costs on the production of packaging.
The waste packaging can also be composed of other packaging for your other products. The customers can also use the packaging for other purposes. The packaging can be thrown into the recyclable bin, and it can be used repeatedly.
Versatile and flexible
The packaging and printing companies are promoting green packaging because they can help build an excellent reputation for your brand and increase the sales of a business. The corrugated boxes made with eco-friendly methods are durable and versatile and can be used for various purposes.
Various industries can reuse the eco-friendly packaging as the packaging is flexible and offers versatility. Eco-friendly packaging is being used in all types of industries. The food industry, the electronics industry and many other similar industries, are using eco-friendly methods to package their products. The packaging is versatile and can be suitable for any kind of industry. The eco-friendly boxes can be created in different shapes and sizes and are suitable for a wide range of products.
Improves the image of the brand
The custom shipping boxes are shipped to different places, and many people get to glance at them. The eco-friendly shipping boxes help to leave a good impression of the brand according to people. The custom printed boxes portray that the brand cares about the environment and is considerate about their customers' lifestyle and health.
The eco-friendly custom cardboard boxes depict a positive image of the company, and the customers start to believe that the brand is responsible. Recent research that was conducted revealed that 80 percent of the people formed a good impression of the brands that were using eco-friendly packaging.
People also prefer to buy products from brands that offer eco-friendly product packaging for their products.
No Harmful plastics
The eco-friendly custom packaging boxes are not made on the traditional packaging pattern that causes harm to the environment. The eco-friendly packaging reduces the amount of plastic in creating packaging for the products. The use of plastic is bad for the environment and can cause many health issues for human beings. The eco-friendly boxes don't use traditional plastic and are made with safe and eco-friendly materials. There are no harmful plastics used in packaging, and the boxes are safe and healthy for the environment.
Eco-friendly boxes are cost-effective
The recycled boxes are not only safe for the environment but are also cost-effective. They can be made using less money and can be the best packaging material for the products. The natural Kraft packaging is created from paper shredders that are generated from the waste materials.
The material is biodegradable and can be built into a useful packaging easily. The eco-friendly boxes can be made at affordable prices and are also durable and a valid form of packaging. If you have high volumes of waste material, then it is a great idea to start using eco-friendly packaging as your product packaging. You can create new packaging from your waste material and can cut costs on the production.
Expands the customers base
Several global studies have revealed that more and more people are supporting eco-friendly packaging. Customers prefer to buy products from brands that are creating eco-friendly packaging for their products. The customers are wise and smart, and they care about the environment they live in.
The younger generation that makes a high percentage of market sales has become aware of the adverse effect that the plastic packaging is causing to the environment and the earth. This has led to the demand of eco-friendly packaging, and the brands that are adopting this method are gaining more attention and success in the market. Going green can help small businesses expand because customers are looking to buy products from considerate brands.
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