Monthly Archives: October 2017

The Order You Couldn’t Pack

The issue is, an item has been shipped, the payment has been made by the consumer and now there are no box sizes to ship this product. So, now someone has to find a replacement box while the order just sits on the counter.

Not being able to obtain packaging materials can stop work that was otherwise complete and could be completed and delivered. A good stocking plan can help ensure you always have enough packaging materials available, yet does not overstock.

Shop owner holding damaged box beside sign reading “OUT OF STOCK: SHIPPING BOXES (Standard Size A and B)” — A shop owner faces a shipping-box shortage while preparing customer orders.

First start with the packaging materials you use most often. These would include boxes (both small and large), mailers, tape, labels, and padding. Be sure to write down the exact type and size because even though you may have many large boxes on hand, it will not do you much good if you run low on smaller boxes.

Track the usage of all packaging materials for a couple of weeks. This can be done either by keeping a chart near the area where your team packs packages or simply tracking how many of each item is remaining after your weekly inventory.

It’s also important to review each individual packaging material. You probably use only one shipping label for each package; however, the amount of tape or paper will vary greatly depending upon the type of shipment. It will give you a better idea of how much you need to restock if you actually track how much you use instead of estimating based upon your total sales.

Once you know how much of each packaging material you typically go through on a weekly basis, then determine how long it takes for new packaging materials to arrive. This includes the time to receive and process your order, plus the delivery time. In other words, if it takes seven days for you to receive new supplies, you cannot wait until you are running out of those supplies before ordering more.

Determine a reorder quantity for each of your high-usage packaging items. For instance, if you normally go through 100 small boxes per week and it takes a week to receive them, you might want to set a reorder level of 150. The additional fifty boxes provide for a busy day or delayed arrival. Determine your own reorder levels based on your specific needs.

Provide reminders so that when your team members see their levels getting close to zero they can bring it to the attention of whomever is responsible for placing orders. Examples of reminder methods include labeling shelves with reorder levels, putting notes on bins, making charts of current inventory, etc. Assigning one person to be the “order person” also provides clarity.

Prior to any big sale(s) or busy seasons check your inventory levels versus expected demand. There may be some special packaging requirements that were overlooked. For example, if you anticipate selling more gift sets than usual, you may need to increase your quantities of one size box but not others.

Keep your excess inventory stored in a clean, dry location. Store newer packaging supplies toward the back so they get used prior to older supplies. Purchasing far more than what you can store properly may result in damaged goods or excessive clutter.

Review and update your inventory stocking plan whenever your company makes significant changes such as adding new products or experiencing increased volumes.

Stop Damage Before Shipping

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Nothing feels worse than hearing a customer say, “It arrived broken.” By the time that message shows up, the damage is already done. The product traveled miles, changed hands, and absorbed bumps along the way. The real problem usually started much earlier, at the packing table, with packaging supplies that were not up to the task.

Damage often happens because items are allowed to move. Even a short slide inside a box can turn into a hard hit after hours of travel. Think about a glass jar tapping the side of a box again and again. Each tap seems small, but the stress builds until something gives. Good packaging supplies stop that movement before it begins.

The first step is choosing materials that match the product’s behavior. Heavy items press down. Sharp edges poke outward. Soft items compress. When supplies are chosen with these traits in mind, protection becomes natural instead of forced. A box that supports weight evenly keeps corners from folding. Padding that cradles shape keeps pressure off weak spots.

Another common issue is layering. Many people place an item in a box, add some filler, and close it up. That can leave the top or sides exposed. Proper layering surrounds the product fully. Bottom cushioning absorbs drops. Side protection resists impacts. Top padding prevents crushing when other boxes stack above. When each layer has a job, damage loses its chance.

Moisture is another silent threat. Rain, snow, and humidity do not care what is inside a package. Once water gets in, labels peel, cardboard softens, and products suffer. Using supplies that resist moisture or create barriers helps keep orders dry from start to finish. Customers may never see that protection, but they feel it when everything arrives clean.

There is also the issue of overpacking. Stuffing a box too tightly can be just as risky as leaving it loose. When items are forced into place, pressure builds. During shipping, that pressure has nowhere to go. Cracks and bends can happen without any outside impact at all. The right supplies allow a snug fit without stress.

Stopping damage before shipping also saves time inside the operation. When workers trust the supplies, they pack with confidence. They do not stop to add extra layers “just in case.” That trust speeds up the process and reduces fatigue during long days.

Customers notice the result even if they never think about why it happened. They open a box and see everything exactly how it should be. No rattling sound. No crushed corners. No damp spots. That smooth experience builds trust in the brand behind the package.

There is a broader benefit too. Fewer damaged shipments mean fewer replacements. Fewer replacements mean less material used and less fuel burned. Preventing damage supports efficiency and reduces waste at the same time. It is a quiet way to do good while doing business.

Packaging supplies are not about wrapping items and hoping for the best. They are about planning for the journey ahead. Trucks turn. Boxes slide. Weather changes. When supplies are chosen wisely, they act like armor that moves with the product instead of fighting it.

Stopping damage before shipping is not luck. It is preparation. And the right packaging supplies make that preparation simple, repeatable, and reliable, day after day.

Interactive Packaging for Digital Unboxing Experiences

Elements of Ecommerce Packaging that’s Interactive

For ecommerce packaging that is interactive, there’s a few things that you should consider as opportunities to enhance digital unboxing.

First, are QR codes. These codes, known as quick response codes, are scanned and take a person to various social media and branded pages. For those looking to enhance digital unboxing, this is definitely a great thing.

Lots of customers like this because you can have them connect to thank you messages and even some social media and exclusive deals.

AR experiences are another. With AR experiences, you’re augmenting reality, changing the way things are. Again, product tutorials thrive on this, because a customer can be guided through exactly what they need to do to put the item together. Adding it to other branded content is also a great thing too, such as maybe to various information about the product sourcing and where it comes from.

Another one is near-field or NFC technology. This is used to connect with other tech items, bringing it all together through an exclusive process. It can, for example, be utilized in order to get the product to connect with other technology. Once it is there, you will be able to build from this an insightful and unique experience for all of your customers.

Incorporating elements into Unboxing

The cool thing about interactive packaging is that it isn’t just the technology that you use, but also how you present and utilize the packaging. For example, adding some tactile elements will enhance the unboxing experience. Visuals work well too, because so many people like to be able to see and believe something. This is possible through the use of interactive packaging, and should be utilized as best as you can, no matter what.

Overall, you want to give them something to enjoy. Showing off how the packaging looks, or even just showing some of the cool tactile engagement you can process provides a lot of customers with a means to craft engagement through the power of digital unboxing.

Why Do This

A lot of customers want to be able to get the full experience of their packaging. Unboxing allows them to remember the company. After all, you’re not giving them a boring experience, but instead something memorable.

It bolsters brand recall through providing interactive and personalized experiences.

[but bear in mind, that these features don’t always come cheap. You need some high-quality packaging design in order to make this work. Make sure that you run the numbers, and ensure that you’re not overspending on your packaging, to give your brand the boost that it needs.

A lot of brands find benefit in using this, and even the use of AI driven personalization, where metrics and AI are utilized to give the customers an insane boost, are touted as something great. Create this packaging for your customers in a manner that will really shine and find new ways to connect with customers.